COLUMBA COLLEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 7

COLUMBA COLLEGE.

ANNUAL REPORT. At the meeting of !bo Dunedin Presbytery last Tuesday morning the Rev. Professor Davies, on behalf of the Board cf Governors, submitted the annual report of Coiumba College for the year ended December 31. 1922. which read as follows:— With other colleges of a similar character, it had felt the effects of the financial stringency, but the year had been marked by good success in the general -work of the college. Coiumba had maintained its reputation for sound scholarship in its academic successes during the year: 18 were ” presented for the proficiency examination; 14 passed, and four gained the competency certificate; two passed the Public Service Examination; seven were presented for matriculation, six completed, gained partial, or full matriculation; two gained higher leaving certificates (two presented). In music three passed the Trinity College Examination, one with honours; six passed the Royal Academy Examination. The Government inspector, inter alia, referred to “the ample provision for the teaching of science. The laboratory is roomy, and, on tho whole, is adequately equipped. The laboratory books of various classes were inspected, and showed carefully entered up records of an adequate and interesting programme of experimental work. There .was abundant evidence that good work was being done under an enthusiastic and very careful teacher. Physical instruction is very well provided for under the direction of a resident games mistress. Ihere are ample facilities for games and recreation in the spacious grounds around the school. There is a distinctly healthy atmosphere about the school. The girls seem interested in their work, and the discipline and general tone appear to be excellent.” Evidently the work of the college is proceeding steadily along well-approved lines. The standard of education given in the college is clearly demonstrated in the very creditable results obtained by the pupils at the public examinations. During the year the board had expended a large sum in levelling and draining an extensive area cf the piaying fields. 'ihe school now has excellent grounds for hockey, netball, tennis, and golf. The Principal reported that there was a very keen interest taken in the recreative sports throughout the college. All the girls played some game, whether tennis, netball, or hockey, while golf, the latest addition to the list, had found favour with the senior girls. At the recent tennis tournament one of the pupils, Maureen M’Lood, wen the Givis’ Championship Singles; Neroli Gt!landers won the Girls’ Handicap Singles: and Louie Lawrence was second in the Younger Girls’ Championship Singles. The ideal of the Church in regard to the college was ever kept in view—viz., a sound all-round culture in a distinctly religious atmosphere. Practically every girl in the college received Biblical instruction, in which the memorising and reciting of selected portions was a distinctive feature. The scheme of study recomended by the Assembly and Board of Ei cation was followed with gratifying and the interest and sympathy of the girls in philanthropic and humanitarian movements was encouraged. The sum cf £7l 9s 2d was raised by the pupils for such objects during the year. The boarders worshipped together each Sunday morning at Knox Church. In the evening the pupils attended their respective churches—Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist. etc. Twenty-nine of the house girls were communicants of their church. The principal, who conducted the Senior Bible Class Ovary Sunday afternoon, “finds much pleasure in the revelation this precious, hour affords ” Miss M. Scott has charge of the Junior Bible Class. Coiumba was well situated in a healthy locality. This fact, together with the fostering care of the matron and her staff, and the regularity of tho school life, were responsible for the excellent record of good health enjoyed by the pupils. It was interesting to observe how readily the girls responded to the kindly nurture they received at Coiumba. We would call the attention of the Presbytery and the members of our Church generally to the urgent need for financial assistance. The board had a somewhat heavy financial burden to carry, and the very success of tho college made it

imperative that we should embark on further extensions if we are to meet the ever-growing demands. Hitherto we have received very little financial support from our Church. We hope that some generous donor will remember the claims of Coiumba. We would again express our confidence in our Principal, Miss Ross, who, by her devotion to duty, lofty idc-als, and broad culture, has contributed so much to the success of the college. The health and happiness of the college home is largely due to our matron, Mrs Walsh, whose in- | struction in home training is by no means i a small part in the girls’ education. In all departments the staff had loyally supported the principal and the matron. In moving the adoption of the report, Professor Davies said that they should be indeed grateful for the success of the college. and he had great pleasure in extend- ! ing his congratulations to the staff for the j result of their excellent work. There ! should be continued support from the churches if the college- were to Ire carried on in the way which they should be. The ministers should bring before their congregations the need of supporting Columbia College, as at the present time the college was feeling the financial stringency. The past, year was the worst thev bad experienced in that respect, and he hoped that the college, which was an offshoot of the Presbytery, and which had established

a, worthy reputation in the city, would receive the support it. deserved. All church people should send their children there, and should support their own college. The Rev. Tippler, who seconded the adoption of the report, also made a plea for the support of the college. The report was adopted.