COLUMBA GIRLS' COLLEGE

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13665, 6 September 1916, Page 4

COLUMBA GIRLS' COLLEGE

ANNUAL REPORT.

(Special to the'"Times.")

DUNEDJN, September 3.

At the meeting of the Presbytery of Duncdin to-day tlie Rev. A. Whyte siibmitlcd a report and dcliveranee prepared by the Bpard of Governors of Oolumba Girls' College and moved that they be adopted by the Presbytery ami transmitted to the General Assembly. The motion was seconded by Mr Walter Gow and adopted. Tlid Rev. A. Whytc and llr Waller Gow were appointed to present the repqrt (o the Assembly. The following is the report:—

The Board of Governors of Columba Girls' College, Dunedin, desire to report to the General Assembly thai, the college lias made substantial progress during the past year. Staff and Pupils,—The principal of the college. Hiss Frances J. Boss, 11.A., is assisted in the school by eight permanent mistresses and sixteen visiting masters and mistresses, and in Iho house the matron, with a resident form mistress and two resident governesses. Of the ferinuncnt mistresses one is a graduate with honours in Arts; one'adds to the degree in Arts that also in Science; two arc certificated under the Education Act, mistresses who have held important positions in public schools; two have special qualifications for the teaching of commercial and kindergarten subjects respectively,- and two are teachers of music, The matron, a Scottish University woman, is a certificated teacher, with special qualifications in domestic science. The number of pupils has risen from 120 (of whom ■III wore boarders) at the opening of the college last year, to 148 now, (of, whom 57 arc boarders),

New Block of Schoolrooms—The chief development of this year has been the opening, of a large block of classrooms. Each of the six divisions of the school has now its own spacious classroom, furnished with the latest improvements, while the principal's room and a retiring room complete the whole. The gymnasium, lilted as it is with accordeon doors, provides such further accommodation as is necessary, while it acts also as a temporary assembly hall. The Board are at present arranging the addition of a scientific laboratory, to give opportunity for individual practical instruction in science.'

Additional House Accommodation.— The opening of those new rooms has set free the house for the exclusive use of boarders. The number'of these, howover, has so increased that during the first term of this year it was found necessary to lease the adjoining house to receive the senior girls. This, too, has been tilled, and the principal has had for the present to decline further applications, The question, therefore, of still further extending the house accommodation appears likely to be a pressing one at an early date.

Provision for Sports—The negotiations for the purchase of a playing field, "which were mentioned in last 'report, have not been brought to any conclusion, hi the meantime the Board have arranged with the directors.of the adjoining athletic club to have the use of llieir excellent ground of about live acres. In the college grounds themselves two asphalt tenuis courts 'are being prepared.

Government Inspection—ln March the college, was,visited 011 behalf of, the Education Dcparfiueiit by Air T. H. Gill and. Ur J. R. Don, inspectors of schools. The detailed report of these gentleinon is 'full of encouragement. It will be published in full at the close of the session, In conscience of this inspection, the college continues to be registered under the Education Act as "efficient" in respect both to primary a,lid to secondary' education. This "efficiency" has had further illustration in the results of the Christmas examina-' tioti's.-r; In primary education a'Junior National Scholarship was Won'by a pupil of the college, and in' secondary education the Matriculation pass was secured by two of the college girls. A Registered Secondary School—The Board feel that the significance of this registration is scarcely recognised by the Church, It has a distinct bearing on the question of the length of time a girl should spend at the college. The idea is general that it is a sufficient education for girls • to let llieiu pass through tlio six standards of the primary curriculum and then to let them stay for a year at such a college as Columba College to "iinish." The Board- are certainly convinced that if only a single year of higher education can be given to a girl she will be able to employ it in Columba College as to receive benefit for all her life long. Nevertheless this short period does not effectively meet the demands of modern life. Jt is now recognised that the very oxistnnce of the Empire depends upon higher education. The appeal of the leaders of the nation is that both girls and boys receive full instruction in science as well as in literature. Only thus can they' meet the competition of the iiio'ro aggressive peoples. A good education is the belt legacy. However much benefit, therefore, a girl may derive from a single year's attendance at the college the Board believe that she will be very much better fitted for the changed conditions of modern life if she has taken the'four years' coufse of secondary education that the college offers, Opportunities for still further advanced courses are also given at the college. Religious Culture—The girls of the college receive a careful religious training, The principal and her helpers seek continually to prosercve in the college such an atmosphere of godliness as will unconsciously mould the character of the girls. To this silent influence the force of direct instruction is freely added. In the school the Bible lesson is the first lesson of the day. In Ihe house, worship with its consecutive reading of the Scriptures is maintained morning and evening, and on Sabbath afternoons the Principal conducts a bible class. In addition to this the girls who belong to flic Presbyterian Church, will nil others whose parents desire it receive daily systematic instruction in I'hristiiin doctrine. .11 will be remembered that while the college is the property of the Presbyferiau Church il receives girls of all denominations who may attend their own churches. The number, of girls who have come to their first communion in their respective churches during the past church year has been ten.

FinaniT.—WiHi respect to finance it may he added that. Ihe additional buildings of this year have increased the cost of the college from about 110,111111 to about .Elli.Ollli. Of this sum .tlfdili remains on morlpijje ami i'(i7oll has been advanced by members of the church, The sum received in subscription has been o:>7. The first balancesheet of the board, drawn up on January .'lJst last, was considered satisfactory. The board would again record their gratitude to the Princip;il m\ her staff tor nc-v unTreaiieil labour-;.