GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3002, 14 December 1896, Page 3

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

The Annual Distribution of Prizes. Tlio annual presentation of prizes at Uio Girls' High School took place on Saturday afternoon. Mr J. B. B'air (olmlnrtm of the Board df Governors) presided, and Bishop Willis, Hon. W. C. Wttlkdr (Minister ol Kdilcation), Sir Bohert Stout, Bev. J. .Paterson, Mr 0. e. Powlos and Miss Hamilton (principal), Dr Innrs, and the other members of the teaching at iff wore also present on the platform. . _ , Mr 0. P. Bowles (secretary of the Board of Governors) road tho annriii report*. Mr T. W. Kov/c, M.A., Cxamiilor In Latin and mathematics, reported that ill Latin the Work as a whole wju well done—in fact, it showed generally a slight advance on that of iaafc yo'fcr. Thy composition wan nob quite bo good as other branches, and it seemed to him that perhaps in the lower forms it. would ho advisable to attempt lesa in a year, and do it tufcbor more thoroughly. Thin, however, would probably necessitate splitting tho fourth and third forms each into two, and the staff might find this -somewhat difficult to effect. In tho lower forms some attempted more work than last year, with perfectly satisfactory results as far as tho knowledge of declensions and cither grammatical forms Wont, hat without tho skill in turning English sentences into Latin that might ho attained if they could spend a longer time on this elementary portion of the. subject. Tho lady principal had informed him, however, that scholars entered tho school an a rule at a late ago., and had to attempt as much work as possible. Mr Rowe reported that arithmetic jib a whole Was dnito sttisfaetory ; ths-t Euclid was highly satisfactory, so far as tho knowledge of Euclid's propositions went, but that the sixth and fifth forms, who wore sot deductions also to attempt, wore little able to cloul with them, MargaretlloM and Cora Hickson proving an exception ; that the algebra generally was fairly satisfactory, and that in trigonometry tho upper division of tho one form examined (tho sixth) did very well, and tho lower division was satisfactory. The standard aimed at in tho Work of the sixth form was that required fop tho junior scholarship of tho University of Now Zealand, and in the work of tho fifth form that required for the matriculation examination; and in both forms tho work on which tho girls wore examined was fully up to tho requirementH of these two examinations. Mr Kenneth Wilson, M.A., P«liner*ton North, reported that tho papers in English subjects showed that tho work had been very carefully and thoroughly prepared, and tho proportion of comparative failures struck him as being unusually small. Tho report of Professor Clarke, Canterbury College, showed that the French papers wore excellent. In u detailed report to tho principal, the professor congratulated her on tho French work of tho school. ' * Mr T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., reported that the high standard of former years in science had boon well maintained, so far as tho upper forms wore concornml. Mr O. S. Cooper stated that tho papers of Now Zealand history wore unquestionably the best ho had scon, and most if not all of tho errors wore duo more to tho historians than to tho students. Ihe absence of n standard work on tho subject rendered it quite Impossible that a young generation, burn after tho occurrence of tho events which make tho history, can bo rightly in* formed of those events. General Sohaw, reporting on the Bcripturo, awarded tho full number of marks to Harriet Jenkins whoso paper fio said was remarkably good—and 97 marks to Edith Luke, of whoso work hu also spoke highly. Bishop Wallis, who examined tho papers for his prize for English Composition, awarded first placo to Mlsa Annie Tasker. Miss Grcoriril’s essay was worthy of commendation* Mioo Mabel Hill, instructress in drawing reported that tbroo candidates presented themselves in model drawing at tho Technical School, and two panned; two presented thomsolVGs in freehand, and both passed. Miss Hamilton, in her annual report, stated that during the year about 50 now pupils had boon admitted. By far tho groator number of those were over 14 years of ago; tho number of girls now in the school over 15 la about five times that of girls under , 5. To encourage bright girls to dome to tho High School at an early ago, tho Board, at Miss Hamilton’s suggestion, had offered scholarships to girls under Id, which entitled tho holders to froo education for two years. Tho scholarships wore awarded thig-yeitf, and the winners wore Noll Bathiim and Brenda Von Dadolezon, At tho December University examinations for last year, 20 girls word successful, 19 qualifying for matriculation, two of them on the junior scholarship papers, and ouo* Cora Hickson, the dux of last year, obtaining a high place in tho honours list of candidates for jiiaior scholarship, coming fifth on the credit list out of 30, and falling short of a scholarship by 93 out of a possible 5750 marks. Cota Hickson thus became tho winner of the MaYy Scholarship, founded by Mr Izard. (Applause.) Some of tiio girls sat fot tho Civil Service examinations, of whom onelpassod tho senior, and eight-tho junior. This year 30 wore sitting at the University examinations now taking placo—2-1 for matriculation* ofiC fofr medical preliminary and five for junior scholarship. In spite of the continued absence of the moans (or obtaining a proper university training in this district, some of the pupils had continued their studies under private tuition in ‘Wellington, with a View to obtaining their degrees. As one who had Bad long experience both hero and elsewhere, Miss Hamilton wished to express her emphatic conviction of tho beneficial effect that the presence of a University college has on a secondary school, not only upon tho pupils by way of stimulus, but also upon tho teachers, who are glad to receive help and guidance from tho college professors. Miss Hamilton referred to the changes in tho college staff, and tho promotion of Miss Marobant to bo lady principal of the Girls’ High School in Dunodin,and pointed out that tho school had lost only five teachers from tho regular staff in 14 years-—a record few high schools could show. Tho school had been singularly fortunate in bavingkm its staff for bo many years a -teacher of sfioh learning, culture and teaching power as Dr Inhes, who holds tho highest degree of any teacher in Now Zealand—that of LL.D. (Applause.) Miss Hamilton pointed out that an effort had this year been mado to enable those girls with Education Board scholarships to pro* ceedmoro rapidly with now subjects., Having predicted that groat benefit would flow from {honovvarrangomCntoftheiCdttcatiOnßoardby which younger pupils than hitherto WoUld bo able to win scholarship!*,Miss Hamilton went on to review more closely tho work of th® school in its various departments daring the year. Tho conduct of tho girls, sho remarked, had been excellent, and sho had rarely been called upon to act the part of executioner, (Laughter.) Mr Blair, in a brief speech, pointed oufc one difficulty with which tho Governors would have to deal. Tho school, ho said, was altogether misplaced, owing to tho conformation ol Wellington, and tho difficulty was such that the only solution* rC fat as Could be soon, Was tho establishment of another high school. Ho did not wish to throw any slight upon private schools ; some of tho ladies eonduoting those schools were eminently qualified to produce successful results j but the duly of the Governors was a public duty —to provide public education. In looking over tho papers, it struck one that tho amount of work the girls had to do was perfectly appalling, and though tho girls did not appear—from what tho visitors saw that day —to Buffer very much—(laughter and ap» plttiiso)—tho Governors would have to deal with tho question of special prizes donated for subjects *outsido the ordinary riirriCttlilm of tho school. Those who gate prizes named iu almost all oases subjects outside tho curriculum, and ho thought all would admit that anything which broke in upon a school course was detrimental. They would therefore havo to save tho girls from tjiat juifiuouco as far as possible-. Mr BlaiY Spoke iu high terras of Drlnuos, whoso influence on the dattoation Of that school had, ho said, boon of the most admirable character. (Applause.) Tho work of Dr Innos mitigated in-, some respects the want of a university college in Wellington. In introducing the HonW. C. Walkorto distribute thoticteed, Mr Blair remarked that ho himself had boon officially connected with six or seven Ministers of Educatloh, ind was therefore an export in Ministers of Education—(laughter)—arid ho bad known Ministers whoso last thought was of education j but Air Walker had shown a very great and real interest indeed in that subject, and ho felt ho voiced tho wish of everyone present when ho expressed the hopo that in Mr Walker’s regime they would have a university college established in Wellington. (Applause.) Tho .Minister of Education, who was received with applause, said that fortunately in those days tho education of young ladies wont in tho direction of assimilating to that of boys, so that ho was more at homo in ad- ; dressing thorn on this ■ occasion. Forty or. fifty years ago tho usual syllabus comprised a course of Magnall’s questions and other useful and attractive Works,,. They even went so iar as to indulge nowadays in athletic exorcises and competitions in sports, bo that thoy wore really on common ground. And in connection with that, tho chairman had spoken as to tho necessity of another high school for girls in tho city of Wellington owing to tne natural configuration of the town. Ho would suggest to all who took an interest in higher education whether it was absolutely essential that boys and girls , should bo- separated tin their high schools. Ho' was , strongly of opinion that there was no necessity for that separation, it was an ignorant prejudice which had como down to us from tho days of convention —convention which only wrought mischievously and ovilly, and wag now. disappearing moro rapidly every day under our now ideas. Ho suggested therefore, that it would bo equally well to sea boys and girls sitting on tho same 1 benches in the high school, just as was how tho case in tho college, where,’ ho could say from his own family experience, such a system operated beneficially both to the boy and tho girl. As regarded tho larger question of a university college for Wellington, ho wag pleased to see. that Mr Blair gave him credit for desiring to help education. It was a matter of groat regret that the earlier Bottlers in tho Wellington province had not taken tho . same wide grasp of tho future which tho settlors in other parts of the colony had taken ; but, at all. events, wo could not help thoir shortsightedness now. All who believed in the possibilities of a great nation must know that university education was an absolute essential for national success, and it was therefore tho duty of those who guided "the destinies'©? a conntfy to see that all parts of that country have equal.chances in the rauo for education f and as soon as possible, therefore —a* soon as a way could-be found for getting over the difficulties existing—the Government wonld see its way to,put Wellington on such a footing in respeob to this question as would leave no room for any ncgloot. '(Applause.) The difficulty was not one of their making, and it was a matter requiring soma consideration. Mr Walker? in wishing tho school every success, spoke as to the- responsibilities devolving upon girls of that or any other public school, both in school and in after lifo. Ho had no doubt that every effort was made to encourage amongst them that sense of public spirit which animated every pqibjie school worthy of the name; and that meant that thoy had

amongst them a bond of fellowship t oy would never forget oven in after life; it meant tho existence of the strictest a p d highoit sense of honour amongst them and thoir teachers, and that it w-m that built tu a school, and nobody who attended a go id school over lost that spirit, and that ho know was what they feltat that high school. ( tpplause.) -1 was necessary. that these responsibilities should bo felt after school life, especially io New Zealand, whore young ladies on leaving school or college found themselves endowed with all tho privileges of citizenship. Ibis thoy would recognise in an especial manner so recently after the wonderful spectacle of the previous week, when they saw a mdst orderly election in Wellington, and Us orderly character largely influenced by tlio presence of women amongst us on election day. Air Walker concluded his speech amidst hearty applause. After a chorus by tlio girls, tho Minister distributed tho prizes, and tho prize list is as follows ;—. Dux, with gold medal, for highest aggregate of marks in all subjects, Margaret C. Ross, Talta. , Governors’ Scholarships (senior), free tuition for two years, for highest aggregate of marks in all subjects in Form V. -Mabel Reid, Harriot Jenkins, Maria Hitchcock, Lena Van Staveron, Governors’ Sc'ifOLAßSilil'S (junior), free tuition fur two years, competed for by pupils under lk—Nell Bathaal, Brenda Von Dadels/.oil. English.—Form Tt A—C. Hickson, X; A. Tasker, 2, Vl. a -N. Grcensill, 1 ; M. Blair, 3. V.—M. Reid, 1; H. Jenkins, 2; M. Scott, 3; M. Hitchcock, 4. IV.a—A. Philip, 1 ; L. Weddo, 2 ; I. ShiiW, 3; F. Gibson. 4. IV.n —M. Moo, 1; G. Kuaoio, 2; Barbara Stsveason, 3 Hl.—o. Lee, 1? M. Blew, 2; M. Sottgar, 3. ll.—'T. Von Dadelszen, 1 1 E. Allport, 2. I.—Zoo Nation, 1. Fhbncil. —Vi A—o. Hickson, 1j M. Ross anl A* Tasker, canal, 2. VI.B —N» Groensill, M. Blair, 2. V.—M. Reid, 1; M. Uitohepok, 2. IV.A—A* Robinson, 1 \ E. Rash, 2. iV.n—L, Logan, 1; J. Hannah, 2. 111.—Vi Burna, 1 1 h. WoMo, 2. 11.-0. Somorvillo, I ; V, Alexander, 2. R—M Blow, 1; A. KiehardHOn, SI. li'Al-m.—VI.A-C. Biokson, 1 i A. Taskef, 2. Vl.n—N. Groensill. 1 1 M. Blair, 2. V.— At.Keiil.il 11. Jenkins, 2. IV.—A. Robinson, 1 j E. Bush, 2. Ill—L. Weddo, 1; I. Ballinger, 2. If.—E. Holm and J. Winder, I I M. Elliott, 2. I.—o. Somorvillo and V. Alexander, 1 | M. Blow, J. M-Vl’ilkJla'l'lOs. Arithmetic ; VI. —M. Boss, 1; C. Hickson, 2, V.A—M. Hitchcock, 1; 1.. Weddo, 2. V.n Birney Stevenson, 1. IV-A—W. Hannay, 1 ; M. Moe, 2. IVn-M. Elliott, 1; M. Halos, 2. If!.—A. Blellardson, 1 • *). Allport,2. 11.-S-Somer* ville. 1 ( T. Von Hadoisilon, 2. I.—Zoo Nation, 1 1. Euclid: VI.A —M. Koaa, I; C. Hickson, 2 Vl.n—M. Blair and N. Groensill, canal, 1. V.—M. Reid, 1; L. Van Staveron, 2. IV,—L.Woddo, 1 ; F. Williams, 2. IH.—D. Voitch, 1; M. Halos, 2. Ahtebra i VI.—C. Hickson, 1 j At. Boss, 2. V.-F. Williams, 1* L. Van Stavorcn, 2. IV.—F. Ballinger, 1 i L. Weddo, 2. Hl,—J.' Hdnnah, 1; L. Lof-an, 2. lI.—B, Von Dadelszon and M, DlSon, equal, 1;. M. Halos, 3, nometry i VI.A —M. Bohs, i 0. Uiokgon, 2. VI.B—N. Greeusill, 1; M. Blair, 2. Science.— Heat; VI. A—G. Hickson and M. Road, 1; A. Tasker, 2. VLb—N. Greensill, 1 ; A. Smytho, 2, Botany: VI.A —M. Rohr* 1; A. Tasker, 2. Vl.ii—N. Groensill, 1j A. Smytho, 2. V.—H. Jenkins, 1} M. ReM and, M. Hitchcock, equal, 2. Botariy and physlds • IV.A—I. Shiuo, 1; L. Weddo, 2. Botany: IV.B—M. Med, 1. Dkill, —H. Hickson and E. Hannah, equal, 1. Sojupture.—H. Jenkins, 1. . Vnk WiNO.—Senior, E. Imfetij Junior, M. SeagaK SUdttTJfAND. —Birnoy Stevenson and T. CaverhilL . * Needlework.— lV.a—B. Wall, 1; A. Philip, 2 ; I. Shine, hon mention. IV.B—L. Gentles, 1; E. Innus,2. III.—G; Somorvillo attd M. Seagal 1 , equal, 1. H—R. Fraser Arid K. HannAh, oqtlal, 1. New Zealand ItrsTOßt (prize given by Mr Izard). -M. Blaii 4 , ! ; A. Robinson, 2. Composition (prize given by Bishop Wallis).—A. Tasker. Elocution (prize given by Rov J. Paters son). —R. Moollori 4 . ReAßinO (prize given by Rov. J. Paterson). —J. Hannah. BoI’ANY (prize given by Bov H. Van Staveron).—G. Glover. Pianoforte. —Prize given Mt Roboft Parker, Lena Morshead ; prize given by Miss SwaJnarm, Lltdy Milloh Tennis. —Junior, E. Shaw; senior, H. HirikßOii; old girls’* MAry Greenfield. After tho presentation of a gold brooch to Miss Ecclosfiold from the pupite of her class, brief aadrdsaes wore given by Bishop Wallis, Rev J. Paterson, Dr Innea (who returned thanks for tlio kind tilings Bald abdufc him, and pointed out, in reply to Mr Rowe, tbilt the work done this year in Latin was only three pages moro than that of last year, when Mr Rowe had stated that not enough was done)* Miss Hamilton and Sir Robert Stout (whd proposed a tote of thanks to tho dhairIrian). , , Afternoon tea was then served on the lawn to the numerous guests. . During tho proceedings in the schoolroom “ Dulco Domum ” find other choruses tfore sun# by tho giHS, Miss Morsheild playing tho accompaniments.