COLUMBA COLLEGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19039, 8 December 1923, Page 5

COLUMBA COLLEGE.

ANNUAL DISPLAY OF PUPILS’ WORK. The schqol break-ups, welcome heralds of the Christmas holidays, are now upon us. One of the first of (he schools to bring its year’s work to a formal close is Columba College. The ceremony itself wilt take place on Monday afternoon, but yesterday afternoon a most interesting and attractive display of the year’s work was held at the college. The work of the various classes was artistically laid out in the class rooms, and in several instances it was not a selection but the whole of the year’s work that was on view. Interest is added to the display from the fact that the name of the pupil responsible is always attached to the work The first room on the right as the visitor enters was devoted to the fancy work, leather walk, and marquetry work taught by Mrs Bennett, and the pewter work taught by Miss Bennett. The work of individual pupils for the year was grouped together, and bore convincing testimony to the industry as well as to the artistic skill and resource of the young students. Among the objects to which they had devoted themselves with such success were leather-covered stools, “hunipties,” fire-screens, pewter clocks and candlesticks, and caskets, and photo frames, leather purses, bags, and slippers, trays, boxes, bowls in pewter and marquetry ware. The display was a strikingly artistic one, reflecting much credit alike on teachers and the taught. In the next room is shown the plain. and fancy sewing tau,gbt by Mrs Bennett. There was to bo seen dainty and delicate underwear, the beauty of which is not to be appraised by any mortal man, and equally beautiful if more, readily appreciated ornamental table centres and eushion covers. The junior scholars in a room opposite had an interesting display of original Christmas cards and of pencil drawings of shells, vases, and hats. On the blackboard the.y had drawn illustrations of several familiar fairy stories. Columba College had always stood for the development and cultivation of the imagination during the period when that faculty is most fresh and strong. Eacli year produces a fresh delightful series of original fairy stories written and illustrated by the girls themselves.. This year's work was away being examined yesterday, but Inst year’s stories were to be seen in the office of the lady principal, Miss F, J. Boss. The work, of course, varies greatly according to the ago and skill and originality of tho competitor, but every one of the little books was well worth studying for its own sake. In many cases the cover designs and illustrations are really beautifully done, and the naive and laborious efforts of the very little ones are by no means tho least fascinating part of the wor.c. Tho work of tho painting class was carried on for the first half of tlie year by Miss M’Leod, and later when she was laid aside by illness it was taken up by one of her pupils, Miss F. Meadowcroft, with groat success. . The drawings _ and paintings showed real artistic gifts in not a few instances. A considerable part of the display consisted of the colour drawings from nature and flower studies, and studies from life and from plaster casts by three of the girls who are students of the School of The geogaphy class, under Miss Ross, made a show of some excellent mapping. There was considerable . variety in the quality of the work, but it was all creditable and worth while. In the typewriting room Mr W. C. Walker’s pupils displayed examples of their efficiency in the setting out of business documents and the weaving of fancy designs. To the layman at least even the first' year work was faultless. In the same class room tho dressmaking class under Miss Miles, showed how far they had advanced in this particular branch of domestic science. Even the kindergarteners had their own little display, their ox.ubils of pksticeno modelling, paper tearing and pasting, woollen balls, and so forth attracting not a little interest. It was in the kindergarten room that visitors were hospitably invited to rest alter completing the round of the exhibition, while the girls waited upon them, with dainty refreshments offered as a convincing example of the practical efficiency of the. cookery class. The whole disnlay was greatly enjoved by all friends of the school who were able to witness it, and it certainly well maintained the high standards of work for which the school has always stood in past years. This year the Columba girls are for the first time having a sports meeting of their own, and this will take place at Bishopsoovrt this afternoon.