END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Southland Times, Issue 25545, 13 December 1944, Page 6

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Ceremonies Held In City The three main secondary schools in Invercargill, the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools and the Southland Technical College, held their break-up ceremonies yesterday. Suitable addresses were given and prizes won during the year were presented. These schools will reopen on February 6. St. John’s Girls’ School will break-up tomorrow and the primary schools on Friday. The latter reopen on February 5.

SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

RECORD ENROLMENT DURING YEAR

A statement that the enrolment of 378 boys during the year had been the largest in the history of the school was made by the rector (Dr G. H. Uttley) at the break-up ceremony of the Southland Boys’ High School. Fifty-two boys had left during the year, he said.

Dr Uttley reviewed the school activities for the year. They had gone through another year without a complete staff, he said. The greatest difficulty had been experienced in carrying out the science work of the school because of the great shortage at the present time of science teachers. They had been glad to welcome back Major J. C. Braithwaite after three years of active service. He thanked the members of the staff for their loyal assistance and co-operation during a very difficult year; they had responded well to the many extra demands made on them during the year. The chairman of the school’s board of governors (Mr Hugh Ritchie) congratulated the school on another successful school year. The rector and staff had carried on under difficult conditions, he said. He also congratulated the prizewinners. He called on Mr A. J. Dillon, president of the Old Boys’ Association, to present the prizes. Those present on the stage included Dr Uttley, Mr Ritchie, Mr Dillon, Messrs W. Bell and E. H. Smith, members of the board, and masters of the school.

Items were given by the school quartet and choir under the direction of Mr Kennedy Black.

SOUTHLAND GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

MANY STAFF CHANGES The break-up ceremony of the Southland Girls’ High school was held in the Civic Theatre. Mr H. Ritchie, chairman of the board of governors, addressed the pupils and emphasized that the lessons of sportsmanship learned at school should be carried into everyday life. Mrs S. E. V. Brown outlined the various stages of life from birth to leaving school. There was an increased responsibility encountered in each sphere, she said, and a definite standard was required. The making and traditions of the new school rested on the pupils, and they should have one thought—never to let the school down. Girls who were leaving would be faced with making then' own decisions. If they absorbed the school motto they would be able to face up to those decisions. Mrs Brown urged the girls to take part in the life of the community. They could help to right a world which had gone mad. “No country is ever any better or any higher than the women who belong to it,” she said. Christianity played a big part in life. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT The report of the principal, Miss M. W. May, stated that the roll number was 392. The problem of accommodation had grown more serious during the past two years and various arrangements had been made to accommodate classes. Two pre-fabricated buildings had helped and it was expected that two more similar buildings would be available next year. On no two consecutive months had the staff been the same, nine changes taking place. The only scholarship candidate had qualified for a bursary at the University of New Zealand. Twenty-four girls, or 62 per cent., had passed the university entrance examination. In the school certificate examination there were 38 full passes and three partial passes. In the Public Service entrance examination 11 candidates had passed. This was the first year of accrediting for university entrance and there had been eight candidates. Only two had been recommended. Physical education and games had been under a full-time physical education mistress. Cultural activities and clubs had also been started. The prizes were presented by Mrs Brown, Mrs G. E. Mortimer, president of the Parents’ Association, and Mrs H. Rout, president of the Old Girls’ Association. The prize-list is as follows:— Dux —Bertha E. Laurie. Proxime Accessit—Joyce Mortimer. Form Prizes—Form lIIC2. Margaret McDonald 1. Gwen Munro 2. Form lIICI, Mary Hay 1, Jean Dorman 2. Form IIIB2: Margaret Ashby, Edna Smaill, Eunice Jefferis, Marion Leask 1 equal. Form IIIB1: Eva Gibbs 1, Meryl Melvin 2, Lilah George 3. Form IIIA2: Pamela Norris 1, June French 2, Le Berne Boyd 3. Form IIIAI: Winifred Slater 1, Mavis French and Claire Peters 2 equal. Form IVC: Margaret Henderson 1, Shirley Berridge 2. Form IVB: Isabel McEwan 1, Valerie Huffadine and Margaret Munro 2 equal. Form IVA2: Marie Crombie 1, Betty Baxter 2. Form IVAl: Bronwen Broomfield 1, Elizabeth Deaker 2. Form VC: Noelene McKenzie and Ngaire Rice 1 equal. Form VB: Clem Thomson 1, Jill Jefferis 2. Form VA2: Joy Penny and Daphne Turner 1 equal. Form VAI: Daphne Morton 1, Joan Cox 2. Form VIB: Maree Ferguson 1, Minnie Bradley 2.

Higher Leaving Certificates—Maire Ashley, Shirley Ayling, Lin Barnsdale, Minnie Bradley, Ngaire Bryce, May Cushen, Maree Ferguson, Margaret Fraser, Ailsa Gibbon, Ruth Herbison, Ruth Holland, Mary Keen, Phyllis Keen, Sheila McLachlan, Ray Morris, Patricia Mosley, Merle Murray, Ray Parker, Ivy Poole, Sheila Sinclair, Nola Stewart, Dulcie TufTery, Joyce White, Senga Whittingham, Margaret Woods, Marjorie Wyeth, Rhoda Zweis.

Special Prizes —Commercial: lIIC2, Margaret McMillan; lIICI, Mary Hay; IVC, Margaret Henderson; VC, Jean Harrington (shorthand and typing); VA2, Elinor Collie (book-keeping). Cooking: Valerie Walker. Sewing: Maureen Freeman (junior), Gladys Fraser (senior). Drawing: Form 111, Ann Royds and Jean Dorman; Form IV, Marvelle Rubber; Form V, Valerie Russell; Form VI, Joyce White. Reading Competition: Junior. Shirley Cockroft; Intermediate, Valerie Hufiadine; Senior, Ruth Holland. Prepared speech: Junior, Shirley Cockroft; Intermediate, Alison McCrostie; Senior, Isabel McKenzie. General knowledge (Athenaeum prizes): Junior, Margaret Ashby; Intermediate, Bronwen Broomfield.. Special historical essay prize: Joyce Petrie. Improvement in sewing: Coral Miln. Special prize for good effort: Claire Reid. Gardening prize: Isabel McKenzie. Special prefect’s award: Ruth Holland. Silver bar for deportment: Ruth Herbison, Noeline Pedlar. Drill championships: Junior, Betty Thompson; Intermediate, June Colquhoun; Senior, Molly Alabaster.

Sports Prizes—Athletic sports: Junior champion: June Rewcastle; senior champion, Alyse Holloway. Swimming: Junior champion, Margaret Hall; senior champion, Erica Galt. Tennis: Junior singles, Helen McCrostie; junior doubles, Christine Beadle and Helen McCrostie; senior singles, Bertha Laurie; senior doubles, Ailsa Cockerell and Valerie Russell. Sutherland cup for house drill: Macalister House (Captain, Bertha Laurie). Webb house cup for swimming: Strang House (Captain, Lin Barnsdale). Inter-house basketball cup: Macalister House (Captain, Bertha Laurie). Rose bowl (interhouse choir contest): Macalister House (Captain, Bertha Laurie). Inter-house softball, Macalister House (Captain, Bertha Laurie). Jubilee house cup: Strang House (Captain, Lin Barnsdale). Outside trophies: Secondary Schools* Basketball Association, Senior A team (Captain, Bertha Lauric); Senior B team (Captain, Noeline Pedlar); Junior A team (Captain, June Winter). Southland Athletic Sports Association’s Medal; Alyse Holloway.