ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

Southland Times, Issue 19124, 17 December 1923, Page 7

ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

BREAK-UP CEREMONY. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The St. Andrew’s Girls’ College break-up and prize-giving ceremony, held in the Jubilee Hall on Saturday evening, was a most enjoyable function not only to the pupils of the College, but to the many parents and friends who were present. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. The chairman of the Committee (Mr A. W. Rodger) presided and, in a brief address, stated that the success achieved nad been much greater than could have been anticipated when it was opened in February last. This was largely due to the efforts of the little ones themselves, to the par- ! ents and to others not directly interested ' in the school, but who had generously given j their assistance. At the bazaar held rei cently £l6O had been raised, with the result that the College now had a credit • balance at the bank. He hoped that- this | would encourage them to continue to give i their assistance. The Committee had hoped before this to have been able to secure a bigger school and to have established a boarding school, but after careful consideration it had been decided to leave it over for another year. The success of such an establishment depended almost wholly on the country population, and although the outlook was improving, the country people had passed through a very trying period. The committee hoped to be able to lease its present building for some time to come. The thanks of the committee were due to the Rev. Lawson Robinson and the Rev. H. G. Gilbert for the time devoted and the assistance they had given in giving religious instruction. It was with very great regret that they were losing the services of the Lady Principal, Mrs Dickson, who, unfortunately, was leaving New Zealand. Mrs Dickson had been an unqualified success and, although when she assumed her duties some may have thought that her methods were idealistic and impossible of accomplishment, she had succeeded in carrying out her ideals. Mr Rodger also stated that during the recess the committee hoped to make arrangements for boarding a few pupils close to the school as a commencement of the larger undertaking of establishing a boarding school. At the conclusion of the prize-giving the junior scholars gave a delightfully natural presentation of the story ‘The House That Jack Built,” while the senior girls also gave a creditable reading of extracts from “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.” LADY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT.

In the course of her report the Lady Principal stated that the College came into existence in February last with a roll number of 25 pupils. Since then the roll number had steadily increased and the year closed with a roll of 44, which was a very satisfactory increase for one year. At the beginning of the second term Miss Duthie joined the staff to take charge of the rapidly growing kindergarten, and in her capable hands this department had accomplished excellent work. The year’s work had been-somewhat handicapped by force of circumstances. The school did not commence until February 28, but to make up for time lost, the second and third term holidays were curtailed. Unfortunately the influenza epidemic did not pass the school by and it was compelled to close twice in the second term. In spite of these handicaps good progress had been made and at the annual inspection a most satisfactory report was given. Of three pupils who had sat for the proficiency examination this year, two had passed and one had obtained competency. In the secondary department two pupils had sat for public examinations, one for matriculation and one for public service, but the results were not yet known. Though the girls had worked hard at their lessons they had also entered into their sports with enthusiasm, every pupil taking part in some sport. In the summer baseball was played by the junior girls and tennis by the seniors. In spite of the slight interruption of ordinary school work she had encouraged the social activities of the school because she believed that in this way the parents were drawn into closer contact with the school, while at the same time the pupils were encouraged by the interest displayed by their parents. Such had been the case during the past year. A course of Bible study was taken throughout the school and for this they were greatly indebted to the Rev. Lawson Robinson and the Rev. H. G. Gilbert, who had both done very fine work with their classes. In the first term a visit was paid by Miss Ashford of the Young Helpers’ League. As & result all who had not previously joined the League did so. The girls had been entertained by Mesdames Crawford and J. T. F. Mitchell and from these sufficient funds had been received to enable 14 League members to qualify for badges. During the third term a bazaar was held in aid of the school funds and the sum of £l6O was realised. Parents, pupils and friends of the school worked most enthusiastically and the thanks of the school were due to them. She also desired to thank the parents for the interest they had taken in the school throughout the year, the Board of Governors for the encouragement they had given her, and Mrs Macdonald, Miss Cunningham and Miss Duthie, without whose loyal co-operation such success as the school had achieved would have been impossible. PRIZE LIST. The following was the prize list: Senior Secondary: Marjory Ott, history, English, geography; Olive Holloway, mathematics; Jenny Rodger, literature, botany; Marjorie Todd, arithmetic. First Year Secondary: Hilda Macdonald, English, history, geography; Evelyn Murray, general progress. Standard VI: Margaret Crawford, Dux of primary department, history, geography, arithmetic; Mary Mitchell, general progress. Standard V: Form prize, Berys Macdonald, English, history and spelling; Nancy Rodger, spelling and general progress; Elsie Parsons, general improvement. Standard IV: Form prize, Edith Macdonald, arithmetic, English, drawing, spelling.

Standard III: Form prizes, Sheila Tapper, arithmetic, composition, general progress; Sheila Stewart, spelling, reading, drawing; Dorothy McCrostie, writing, spelling; Mary Mackrell, drawing and general progress; Gertrude Macdonald, history, English grammar. Standard I: Jessie Fleming, arithmetic, spelling and reading; Mary Crawford, drawing, nature study, handwork and general progress.

P2: Atholl Mackrell, arithmetic and handwork; Valmai Crammond, drawing and nature study; Ora Mac Gibbon, spelling and oral expression; Dorothy Ferguson, reading, writing.

P 1: Helen Taylor, number and reading; Roberta Johnston, general progress; Arthur Barnes, general progress. —Special Prizes.—

Sports medal for School Championship, (awarded by popular vote), Marjorie Todd. Advanced French and Deportment, Marjorie Ott. Intermediate French, Berys Macdonald. Junior French: Ruby Crosland. Senior Scripture: Jenny Rodger. Junior Scripture: Margaret Crawford 1; Kitty Doig 2. Senior Music Prize: Mary Mitchell. Junior Music Prize: Gertrude Macdonald.