SCHOOL VACATIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 23

SCHOOL VACATIONS

BOYS' HIGH" SCHOOL. The formal break-up ceremony in connection with the Otago Boys' High School took place on the 12th in the presence- of a very large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. At tho invitation of Mr T. K. iSidey, M.P. (chairman of the High Schools Board of Governors) a large number of old pupils took seats on tho platform. Mr &idey, briefly addressing those present, said he was sure they would all join in heartily congratulating one of the masters (Mr Pow) on the distinctions ho had gained at Home. He was now Lieutenant-colonel, and had received the D.S.O. There was only one feature of tho school work to which he would refer. That was the disorganisation that had taken place in consequence of the war. The' work had had to be done with temporary teachers, including two ladies, and he was pleased to know that the appointment of lady teachers had been amply just.ficd by results.—(Applause.) The efficiency of the school had been well maintained, and the school wa3 second to no other secondary school in New Zealand. Air F. Calvert (president of the Old Boys' Association), in the course of an address on Imperialism, said he wanted them to feel and believe that they belonged to tho greatest nation on earth, and not to be afraid to say bo. In the past our manufacturers and merchants had been too content to follow old methods, and had let "Germany snatch their trade. Why should Germany beat us in trade? . Could we not do as good work as she? Of course we could. Were our manufacturers and workers inferior to German? Were we to allow her to do an she had done in the past, and swamp our markets with her goods? No. What a German could do. we could do, and do it better too". He wanted them to determine whatever walk in life they chose that they would beat the Germans. Another failing of our national character was to believe in the good faith of others to an almost ludicrous extent. We had been deluded and fooled by German protestations of friendship. This faith was> usually regarded as a virtue. Carried too far it was a grievous fault. Once a man or a nation had been proved to be an unscrupulous liar, disregarding his pledge, it was a fool that trusted his word again. There was a quality that was generally spokoh of as a vice, but which, in his opinion, might be a national virtue. That was the quality of hate. There were two sorts of hate —a wicked hate and a righteous hate. .He wanted them all to foster a good, honest hate for Germany and all her works. Let them not be fooled bv her protestations of friendship, nor let apparent honesty in tho future cause them* to forget the horror of her deeds. Let them keep alive their righteous indignation and unquenchable hatred for those who have brought about this frightful war. Never forget, never forgive, and have no dealings with a people who have drenched the world with blood in a premeditated attempt to crush our Empire.* Let them make no mistake — this war was not the work merely <sf tho Prussian ruling class, but of the whole nation.

The Rev. W. Saunders., previous to presenting the Navy League prizes, made some reference to the essays. He said that as examiner he had to compliment the boys on their splendid work. Many secondary schools had sent in essays, but those from the senior division of the Otago Boys' High School had been tho best, and the junior division had written excellently. The Rector {Mr W. J. Morrell) offered his congratulations to Mr Saunders on the distinction won by his boys at the front. Mr J. B. Waters, in presenting the Chamber of Commerce prizes, also addressed the boys He said there had been a great increase in the value of other things besides tho necessaries of life. There had been a tremendous increase in the value of boys and girls, and owing to post-war conditions their value would be greater than ever in '" history of the world. They were the reinforcements in trade, and on them the future of Now Zealand depended.^ Mr Calvert presented the special prizes and the form prizes. ' The Rector introduced 'the dux of the school. George Andrew Holmes, who was accorded a great reception. He mentioned that Holme3 had come from the Wakari School, and had done exceedingly well though he was not yet 17 years of age. He had also taken a verv fair share in the outside life of the school. The dux me'dal was presented by Mr Calver't. During the evening several school songs were sung, Mr J. A. Haggitt presiding at the piano. The proceedings closed Avith votes of thanks, proposed bv Mr Peter Barr. to the Board of Governors, the rector and school staff, and Mr Haggitt. and were acknowledged by Mr Sidey and Mr Morrell. ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE. The year's studies at St. Dominic's College, Duncdin, were brought to a close with the distribution of medals and certificates of merit on the 12th inst. Bishop Verdon presided. The function opened by a select chorus of 80 voices, after which the college report was read. It stated that the scholastic year had been highly successful. From tho "kindergarten, with its 50 to 60 wee tots, to tho matriculation class, most creditable work had been done, eliciting the warmest commendation from tho visiting examiners. At the public examinations held at the end of last year success was recorded in intermediate, public service, matriculation, solicitor's general knowledge, and medical preliminary examinations. Candidates had entered for the same examinations this year, but the results were not yet available. Tho proficiency of the commercial class was tested by an examination from the Sydney Commercial College. Tho candidates were presented in tho various grades in typewriting, shorthand, and bookkeeping. The work of all was highly praised. Work for soldiers had npt been neglected, tho pupils having made contributions, both in money and handwork, for various patriotic purposes. There had been no decrease in the number on tho roll, either in the clay school or in tho boarding school, notwithstanding' the stress of war. Tho health of * the children had been xmiformly good. In October a spiritual retreat for 'tho pupils took place. The exercises were attended with great punctuality and earnestness. During the year a number of the senior girls merited to bo received into tho sodality of tho Children of Mary. In the music department, of 25 candidates presented for examination, 18 took honours and two secured the diploma of associate. J3ishop Verdon addressed the girls. He congratulated all most heartily on the success of tho past year. Ho hoped the pupils

would 'take every opportunity of benefiting themselves for the battle of life. The prize-list showed the splendid _reeult of the past year's teaching, and the school report showed how earnestly tho work had boon carried out. The pupils had earned their holiday, and he hoped they would all enjoy a good rest and come back ready and fit to take the next year's work. He concluded by saying that he hoped that the girls would avoid reading any questionable literature during their vacation.

A pleasing feature of tho ceremony was the crowning- of Miss Kathleen Hannan with the much-coveted wreath for amiability by tho bishop, amidst the plaudits of her companions. Miss Hannan was awarded the wreath by the votes of the pupils.

Tho awards of merit were distributed in the following order:—Gold medallist (dux), Zella Henderson; gold medallist (Christian doctrine, senior), Kathleen Hannan; silver medallist (Christian doetrine, junior). Nan O'Connell; gold medallist (good conduct), Agnes Cunningham; silver medallist"(attendance), Sheila Todd; gold medal (tor music), Margaret Leslie (senior violin). ST. HILDA'S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL. The annual break-up and prize-giving-ceremony of St. Hilda's Collegiate School was held in the schoolrooms on the 13th instant. The Primate (Bishop Nevill) presided, and Dean Fitchett, Canon Nevill, the Rev. Messrs Stathum, Roberts, Fenton, Mortimer, Wingfiekl, and Bryan. King were also present. The school report stated that there were 130 pupils on the roll, of whom 40 were boarders, this being all that boarding accommodation could be provided for. In May a second additional house had been rented, which provided classrooms for kindergarten and preparatory pupils, and Eomo extra bedrooms. During the year the staff had been increased by three teachers — Misses Langley, M.A. (London), Miss Sanderson (Birmingham High School), and Miss Lee, r and it was hoped to obtain the services of Miss Warring, M.A. (Canterburv College) for tho coming year. Tho Primate's Divinity Cross, won for the second time by Florence Small, had now passed to Eva Allan, a close second, and the.internal scholarship for two years' free tuition had been won by Marian Roberts. Rosamond Wood received both house and school honour medals this year, and ' the dux modal went to Eva Allan, Freda Roberts being a close second. The Elsmoro Cup was won for the third time by Nancy Wright, and tho silver cup (presented by Mrs Charles Wood for the best all-round sports girl) went to Rosamond Wood. The Swedish drill revived by Miss Sanderson had effected a great improvement in the girls' carriage and deportment. Games also formed an important part of school life. The A team had won the net ball challenge shield in the secondary schools' tourna ment, and the hookey first eleven had come out second for the Schools' Challenge Cup. In'the tennis tournaments Doris Balk was runner-up for tho schools' championship, and Mrs Balk's cup for junior tennis players was won by Virginia Nichols. Patriotic work had not been neglected, and £SO had been sent during the year to local patriotic funds and charities. The examination report of Professor G. E. Thompson stated that the standard of previous years had' been well maintained. The Primate expressed his pleasure at tho satisfactory nature of the reports, especially the academical one. It was pleasing to note that the schoo} did not suffer from the fluctuation which sometimes affected larger institutions. This was largely owing to the splendid work of «6ister Etheleen. — (Applause.) Tho way in which parents sought admission for their children was proof that they recognised the need of religion forming part of tho education of the young. He ui'ged them to support their own school and not be drawn away by the claims of other institutions. Dean Fitchett emphasised the fact that the school could give a moral and social education not obtainable from public schools? This would be invaluable to the girls in after life. The school had been founded and kept without endowment or public support from the outside, and it had developed a hardy efficiency peculiar to it. A number of song 3 were given by the pupils, and also an exhibition of physical exercises. The Primate presented tho prizes, the following being the list of the higher form: Matriculation Form.—Eva Allan, dux of school (gold medallist), also languages, and Miss TJlrJch's special French (certificate, 70 -per cent.); D. llalk, English and mathematics; F. Roberts, science (certificate 70 per cent.); F. Small, divinity; E. Allan, divinity (certificate 70 per cent.). DOMINICAN CONVENT SCHOOL, MILTON. The Dominican Convent Schooi,' Milton, closed down for the summer vacation on the 12th. On this occasion tho pupils had generously volunteered to forgo the usual prizes, and the money thus saved to be donated to the Red Cross Fund. This amounts to £6 _6s (including a donation from the Dominican nuns). Prior to dispersal on the eagerly-anticipated holidays tho pupils were regaled with refreshments by the nuns, and the prize list was read as follows: Standard Vl.—Dux of school, Itita M'Larcn; class prize, Eileen Jones; special mention—Amy Walsh, Cissy Plover; composition pnd reading, Rose Cullcn; reading, recitation, drawing, and brush-work—Kathleen Dowdall; John Dowdall,. Patricia Liston; spelling and neatness, Stella Lockhart. Standard V.—Class prize, Violet Jones; reading and recitation, Rita Dowdall; arithmetic, Frank Hea'ly; spelling and reading, Bride Fahoy. Standard IV.—Class prize, Molly Archer; special mention, Lance Fahoy, Francie Lockhart; arithmetic, George Christie; writing, Kitty Liston; geography, Willie M'Lean. Standard lll.—Class prize, Noreen Jones; special mention—Eileen Liston, Nora Edgar. Standard ll.—Class prize, Doreen Eilgar; special mention, Frances Dolun, Nora Quill; reading and composition, Howard Anderson. Standard I.—Class prize, Edwin Plever; special mention, Harry Dowdall. Music.—lntermediate (honours), Amy Walsh; junior (honours), May M'Lean; preparatory (honours), Cissy Plever. Religious) Knowledge, Senior Division.—First prize, Pita MT.aren; second prize, Amy Walsh and Kathleen Dowdall; special mention, Eileen Jones, Cissy Plever. John Dowdall. Junior division: First prize, K. Jones; general improvement, Nora Powlev; special mention, Nora Edgar. Physical culture, Annie Athv; special mention, Nellie Hand. Good conduct (girls), Patricia Liston; special mention—Poso Cullen, Stella Lockhart, Amy Walsh, Annie Athy, Teresa Madden, May M'Lean; good conduct (boys), Lance Fahoy; special mention—Frank Henly, Ted Hand, John Dowdall. GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL On Friday afternoon the pupils of the Otago Girls High School were dismissed for their summer vacation. The chair was

occupied by Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. (chairman of the Board of Governors), who waa supported by Miss Allan (principal of tho school), and a .number of gentlemen connected with educational institutions in tho city. There was a large attendance of parents and friends of the school.

Miss Flora M. Allan reported: Tho largo increase in the enrolment this year was as unexpected as it was inexplicable. Of tho 321 pupils enrolled 164 were on tho roll last year, 157 are new pupils, 78 hold senior free places, 231 junior free places, and 12 pay fees. Twenty-ono girls left in the course of the year. Six went to other parts of the dominion, thrco entered tho public service, three received appointment* as pupil teachers, and the remaining nino left on account of ill-health or for domestiO reasons., So great an influx of new pupils could be accommodated with difficulty in the school, and the waiting room laboratory, and part of the hall had to be used as classrooms.

The Chairman congratulated Miss Allan and the staff on their work in the school Brief speeches wore also mado by Mr Brugh, the Rev. 11. E. Davies, and the Rev. W. Saunders

The Board of Governors' gold medal for dux of the school was handed, to Airina Isabel Somcrville, amid great applause. Miss Allan paid that Airini Somervillo came to the school from tho Tokomairiro

''"trust three years ago, as the holder of an senior Education Board scholarship. During the timo she had been in the school she had done very good work in all subjects.

In giving the medal to the dux, Mr Brugh said that for the last three years the dux had come either from the Bruce or Clutha; districts. It rested with the Dunedin girls to see. that his did not go on all the time. A« the dux made her way to her seat, a number of pupils ' from the Boys' High School recognised her success with a lusty haka.

ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGIATE SCHCO& The termination of school duties for another year of St. Andrew's Collegiate School, of which Miss Smyth is principal, was, in the usual formal manner, recognised by speechmaking and the presentation of prizes in the Burns Hall on Friday afternoon. Professor Hewitson presided, and there was a sufficiently large number of parents and friends of pupils to nearly fill the hall. An entertaining programme was gone 'through by the pupils. At an interval in the proceedings the annual report of the school was presented, which • showed.that the roll number had been well maintained, and also the attendance. The personnel of the staff had practically undergone no change. The report contained references to the annual"examination on behalf of the department, through which the school had apparently passed with excellent results, particularly in certain directions.