GIRLS’ COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11703, 15 December 1923, Page 9

GIRLS’ COLLEGE

ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVINGS BREAKING-UP CEREMONY AT GRAND OrERA HOUSE. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR, The Wellington Girls* College annual distribution of prizes took place at the Grand Opera House yesterday afternoon. Mr W. F. Ward (chairman of the Board of Governors) presided over a large attendance, among those present Toeing Sir Robert Stout (Chief ‘‘Justice), the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.), Mr W. H. Denton (a mem ter of the Board of Governors), Sir John Luke, M.P., and Miss McLean (prinoopnl of the College). The chairman said that they were very nil ch indebted to Sir Robert Stout for coming to present the Girls* College prizes that afternoon, as he had presented the Boys* College prizes the day before. Sir Robert Stout might well be called the "Grand Old Man of New Zealand," in view of the high positions he had occupied and still held; and they were glad to see him carrying his advancing yea’s so veil. Referring to the grant made for the new Girls* College, Mr War 1 saidl that some 10,000 would bo required for furniture and equipment, which would leave only some 000 for the buildirur itself. For that amount they could not expect a building that they would be proud to photograph; but it would be, at all events, a beginning. EXCELLENT WORK OF PRINCIPAL AND STAFF. He heartily congratulated Miss McLean and her staff on the excellent work done during <he year and the high standard of conduct of the girls, both at school and out of schgoj. The pupils of the Girls’ College could hold their own in that respect with those of any girls* school in New Zealand. . DEPARTMENT USURPING BOARD’S FUNCTIONS. Referring to the fact that tho Board of Governors was no longor to be allowed to spend money on school-prizes, he said that the Education Department was more andi more usurping the functions* of the board. Formerly the board decided what it would do or not do, and what it would spend or not spend; but ull those powers had been shorn from it If any more of its powers were taken away, it would cease to serve any useful purpose. It would l become mei;sly a body of philanthropic men engaged in doing unimportant detail work for the department.

miss McLeans annual REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICE. "Community service is t'ho first thing to be mentioned because it is perhaps tho most valuable training we give," said Miss McLean in presenting her report for the year. "It is a training that increases the sente of responsibility, widens the sympathies, and develope self-reli-ance. Pupils are encouraged to initiate rnd carry out plans without much, or any help, from teachers. The objects helped include: —The. Seaman’s Friend Society (donation only—the concert this year was undertaker by the Old Girls’ Association), tho Kindergarten Nursery, (he Children’s Hospital (weekly gifts of flowers fruit, etc., Christmas toys and two concerts), the Government Orphanage (toys), the Old People’s Home (concert and supper), Pandita Bamabai’s Mission, (donation), tho New Guinea Mission (support of Samuela), the Rangiriri Club (prises), College Hostel, the Junior Girls’ College (half proceeds of garden fete in both cases), and lastly the College itself. MUSICIAL TRAINING. "For the college we have raised over .£IOO, and are sanguinely expecting to receive a pound tor pound subsidy. We have already received authority to spend part of this on a gramophone for school use. W o also sanguinely hope to tell you this time next year of the wonderful improvement in musical appreciation, aural training, and melody-making that has resulted. There' has been, a campaign in England lately, not only for more enjoyn tnt of music in the 'schools, but for more production of music in tho nation. One advocate—a Welshman, Sir Walford Davies—urges the formation of a musical habit in the same way that you form an athletic habit. He says: 'lf cricket or football were merely taught in books and class-roons (with pictures of people playing tho game thrown in); and, even if a team visited the school •once a term, and all the scholars trooped out to the playing field merely as spectators, it is clear that these games could never become the national habit they now are.’ As a result of that urging, Wales is a musical country. The children in tho Welsh elementary schools make up tunes and L®t every encouragement. TTou see hew easy it is (he says); there is no reason why melodies as good as any of these (Hayden’s or Beethoven’s) should not be made in every school in the country.’ Try at least to make one a week. Then wit i the illustrations given by gramophone and otherwise, harmony, and form also, are gradually absorbed. The same thing is happening in America. In many junior scnools (the right place to begin), this new move-, ment :s quickly doing its work to make the British once again a leading musical people, better able to make use of their increased leisure. One form of reformation is the use of less complicated instruments than tho piano and vjolin for beginners; pan pipes, triangles, drums, sets of tuned hell monochords, xylophones, and harps follow lessons on rhythm and time, learnt by clapping, singing and dancing. Concentrated study and a better understanding of the child has led to a knowledge of better methods than were used a few years ago, or are still used whore people are conservative or ignorant.

EXAMINATION RESULTS THE COLLEGE’S RECORD YEAR. "For the results of examinations held last year you are referred to the school prospectus. I can say it has been our record year. We gained four university scholarships; and wo had, besides, four girls who gained credit in the same examination. I must mention tho names of the girls who gained university scholarships, ss we are proud of them:Janet Monorieff, Agnes Craig, Nola Ivory,, and Mary Shallcrass. Including matriculation, senior and junior national scholarships, public service entrance, senior free places, junior free places and profiicency certificates, we mode a grand total of 376 passes. This does not include these who had their junior free places extended for another year owing to age "During the year 796 girls were enrolled—tv school reoord. The highest roll number at any time was 782. The year 1922 closed with 706 girls on the roll, of whom 503 returned this year—or 7 per cent —which is a veyy satisfactory proportion. MORE CLASS-ROOM NEEDED. “It is necessary next year to have, in addition to the five new looms recently erected, extra c’oss-room or n ball. At tho end of next year wo hope to have tho second college erected and ready for use. Tho situation of this, and the extent of its playing fields, n ake the acquisition of this new school a matter of great rejoicing for teachers, parents, and all interested in tho education of girls. It is to be hoped that tho Government will give an extra grant to build tho whole school, and not a mere section. The life of the school has been very busy and productive during Ihe year. Via.

Form produced a play, written by Janet Moncricff, the money raised Is being used for Rangiriri prizes to ©ncourago original poems, speeches and oasays THE SCHOOL LIBRARY. ,r Our drill display and concert will enable u-s to have a much better library and better games materials next year. The library now has 1700 volumes. What is sadly needed is a librarian who can devote her whole time to it. Miss Cocker does yoeman service, but has very little spare time. The help to teachers and girls would bo enormous. America leads the way in school libraries. In Winconsin there is a law which compels any High School receiving aidi from the State to employ a teacher-librarian —that is, on© having the qualifications for librarian in addition to those required for teaching. Dr. Han9on, chief inspector of secondary schools in Australia, describes the school libraries in Australia as in 'an embryonic state,* as compared with those in most high schools in America. In the 1032 accredited schools in America the average number of volumes per school is 1854. A school of our size would have several thousands, with a librarian devoting her whole time ; to her work, helping teachers with thoir teaching, and the pupils with their selections; keeping in touch with all the work done, and providing illustrations, magazines articles, and books for every department. The success of the Dalton and other such plans depends on good libraries. COMMERCIAL DEPARTMKNE. "A department that has forged ahead this yoir is the commercial department. Several pupils entered for the accountants* preliminary examinations, and 78 per cent, passed! (either whole or partial passes). These girls are now ready for highor commercial work at the university, or are well fitted for responsible positions. Following the example o»f the headmistresses' appointment committee in England, wo are now getting in tou,ch with leading business offices and offering them capable business girls, well qualified by general education for work requiring an all round development, especially good English, alert mind, and good judgment. The above are girls who ha ,r e been with us for three or four years. For girls who can only stay two or three years, wo can suggest only positions as typists, clerks, and other ordinary business positions. Even with these, we aim at a standard of English work that will save an employer’s time, because of the girls being able to draft let-

ters without the necessity for their being dictated. SPORTS AND OTHER SUCCESSES. “Many departments of work must bo left utimentioned. Some of them you have had an opportunity of judging tho quality for yourselves, such as drill, drawing, dressmaking, needlework, cooking, botany and' physical experiments. Wo have had outstanding successes in all of these. In addition, in the secondary school tennis to lmament we won every event open to us, except the tennis doubles; and then, we were the runners-up. We won tremor singles, junior singles and junior doubles. Our juniors also hold the challenge cup this year. Seventy-five certificates were won in swimming. “A new club formed this year is the Junior Red Cross branch. It was formed by Dr. Morgan and Sister Lewis, and girls an* likely to do good work and learn many valuable lessons in connection with it. Certificates for posters, etc., were presented this week. TWO VALUABLE ASSETS. "In conclusion, I would like to draw your attention to two valuable assets of Ihe school in order that you may make them better known —namely, the College Hostel and the Junior Girls* College. The hostel is a beautiful house, with fine grounds, and is capable of taking fifty boarders. It is young yet, dating only from the beginning of last year. Previously we were dependent on private enterprise. Mrs Urquhart is retiring after many years of good service, and her place is being taken by Miss Murison, who has won golden opinions in Marion, where jhe was matron of the Ngatawa School for eight years. Miss Richards, of Auckland, has been appointed assistant matron; and we can predict a very happy home for girls who have to live away from home. The Junior Girls* College takes the place of cur Preparatory and has its habitat In St. Andrew's Hall. It has new capacious rooms, and is giving a good account of itself .in sending several well-prepared proficiency certificate holders to us. Mrs Ward is its capable, well-experienced principal. "Before '.excluding, I must thank the many kind friends who have helped us during the year.** Sir Robert Stout, whose speech is reported elsewhere, then presented the prizes. Edna Purdie contributed a fine character song, “Lnckaday**; and Sinclair Breen a clever humorous sketch, "The Exile's Return.** Under the direction of

Miss Helea Gudin, pupils of the college?, assisted by Miss Mary Cooley and Miss Mavis Halliday <old girls), contributed a very enjoyable dramatic sketch; "Pygmalion and Galatea” (W. S. Gilbert), the several roles in wWich' 4 were allotted as under: —Pygmalion, .Eileen Norwood; Chrysoe, Helen Watt; JLeucipv.s. Nancy Thomas; Agesimos, Thelma Hill; Mimos, Effiw Brice; Galatea, Mary Cooley; Cynisca, Mavis Halliday : Daphne, Daisy Pillar; Myrine, Gwen Carr. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Sir Robert Stout, the chairman, the performers, and others. PRIZE LIST Form Via.—Dux and gold medallist, Audrey Shallorass (Ist mathematics, science, 2nd languages); proximo acceesit, Dorothy Smith (Ist languages, 2nd eq. scionce, 3rd mathematics); 3rd, Margaret Maclaurin '2nd mathematics, 2nd eq. science); certificate, Linda Kraft. Form Vlb —May Johnston (Ist eq. languages, Ist mathematics, Ist science); -Fieda Fogelberg, Ist eq. languages; Maisie Adams, 2ndt mathematics, 3rd science; Rita Johnston, 2nd science, 3rd languages. Certificate, Jessie Gomrie. Form V., special.—Violet Thomson, Ist eq. languages, Ist mathematics and science, 2nd Scripture; Margaret Wood, Ist oq. languages, 3rd mathematics and science; Pearl Thomson, 2nd mathematics and science, 3rd eq. languages, Ist Scripture. Certificate, Tessie Craig. • Form Val—Alice Pickup, Ist eq. languages, Ist mathematics, Ist science; Lillias Smith* Ist eq. languages; certificates, Do:<othy Williams and Jean Hutson. For n Va2—> Edna Wilkinson, Ist languages; Betty Nichol, Ist mathematics and science; certificates, Myrtle Feasants. Della Camercn, Flora Heberley, ana Phyllis Gray. Form Vbl. —Dorothy Patterson, Ist languages, Ist Scripture; Ruth Reid, Ist mathematics tnd science, 2nd Scripture; certificates, Joyce Ahr&dsen, Dorothy Keyes, Gwen Watkins and Mildred East. Form Vb2. —Mifmvy Davies, Ist languages; CoiLSuelo Pilcher, Ist mathematics and science; Phyllis Blackie, 2nd eq. 3rd mathematics and science; certificates, Edith Clarke and Ruby McDonald. Form Vc.—Gertrude Guthrie, Ist languages; May Deller, Ist mathematics and science; certificates, Phyllis Smith, Phyl-

lis James, Nancy Graff and Gvrenda Hamer ton. Form V., commercial.—Ethel Friis, Ist eq. mathematics, science and commercial subjects, 2nd eq. English and economics, Ist Scripture; Elsie Sixsmith, Ist eq. mathematics, science and commercial subjects, 2nd eq. English and economics, 2nd! Scripture; Ellen Carwood, Ist English and eco .omics, 3rd mathematics and science and commercial subjects. Form V., Commercial. —Mona Sivell, Ist languages. Ist mathematics, science and commercial subjects, Ist Scripture; Ina Robinson, 2nd ~languages, 2nd eq. mathematics, science and commercial work, 2nd Scripture; certificates, Molly Downes ind Enid King. Form IVa.—Ethel Porte, Ist combined subjects; Mavis 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Marjorie Atkinson Form IVb.—Betty Beillie, Ist combined subjects; Ella Read, 2nd combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; certificate, Doris Carrington. Form IVo.—Muriel Rolls, Ist combined subjects, Ist eq. Scripture; Betty Caldwell, 2nd combined subjects; Marjorie Bolton, Ist drawing, l*st Scripture, 3rd combined subjects; certificate, Marion Reid. Form IVd.:—Winifred Braund, Ist combined subjects, 2nd drawing; Gladys Webb, combined subjects; certificate, Lorn a Quarrie. Form IVe.—Dulcie Browne, Ist combined subjects; Constance Andorson, 2nd combined ’subjects; certificate, Margaret Smith. Form IVf —Alice Forbes, Ist combined subjects; Rita Bocidy, 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Estelle Bennell. Form IV., Commercial.—Ruby Herbert, Ist combined subjects; Ist Scripture; Maisio Street, 2nd combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; certificate, Annie Robertson Form IV., Commercial. —Hazel Tonks, Ist combined subjects; Thelma Rodder, 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Adrienne Keerves. Form Ilia.— EQsij Kennedy, Ist combined subjects; Fay Smytli, 2nd cq. combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; Marion Stewart, 2nd eq. combined subjects. Form Illb—Kathleen McCaull, Ist combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; Sinclair Breen, 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Irene Pirie. Form lllc.—Amy McAlpine, Ist combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; Zee Foley, 2nd eq. combined subjects; Jean Purdy, 2nd eq. combined subjects. Form Hid —Jean Mackoy, Ist combined subjects, Ist eq drawing; Leona Sturrock, 2nd combined subjects, “Ist eq. drawing; certificate, Nancy Messenger. Form Ills.—Gwen Taylor, Ist combined subjects; Mavis Raynor-Pearson, 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Evelyn Fer- * Form llTf.—Edna Harper. Ist combined subjects; Olga Gilbcrd, 2nd combined subjects; certificate. Una James. Form 111., com. 1. Mary Tamp* iin, Ist combined subjects; Ist Scrip* ture; Mary Beckett, 2nd eq. combined subjects; Mavis' Rolls, 2nd cq. combined subjects, 2nd Scripture; Rosalind Dillon, 2nd eq. combined subjects. Form 111., Com. I.—May Rochester, Ist combined subjects; Ethel Wild, ’2nd combined subjects; certificate, Winifred Furby. Form HI., Gom. 3.—Effio Williams, Ist combined subjects: Rlspeth.’Campbell, 2nd combined subjects; certificate, Lily Tucker. SPECIAL PRIZES Izard Memorial for New Zealand history.—Joan Markman. Hilda Moorliouse Memorial, essay.—Rita Johnston. Pivgress prices (presented by the Old Girls' Association).—Ella Fletcher, Via.; Edna ICeall, Via.; Tessie Craig, V. special; Anna Whyte, V special; Jean Hutson, Val.; Della Cameron, V 02.; Rhoda Rowan, V. commercial 1. Rangiriri prizes, special.—Senior, Rita Johnston and Gwen Kerry; junior, Mavis Manthel and Valda Wilson. Christian Union (presented by Mr D. O. McOlay).—Speeches: Heather Mill, Ist, Mary McLean and Una James 2nd eq.; Jean Ashby and Daisy Pillar, 3rd, eq essays : Ethel Friis and Selby Rose, Ist, cq.; Olive Green, 2nd; Rhoda Howan, 3rd. Sowing (prizes presented by Mrs G. L. Stewart) —iVth Form, Linda Fittis; Illrd Form, .Dulcie Deans. Drill (senior) —The Grace Halley Memorial Cup: Connie Jorgensen; (junior)— The'Halliday Cup. Edna Purdie. Swimming —Eileen Norwood (presentation cup presented for winning the Challenge Cup three years in succession). Hockey Challenge Cup (presented by the Wellington Ladies’ Hockey Association), won by the junior B team (captain, Rene Moore). , Tennis champion.—Mildred East; run-ner-up, Nessie Bell. ,