GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 6

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

“PARTING OF THE WAYS" TEE BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. END OF A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. Once again the New Plymouth Girls’ High School has terminated its activities for the year, and with the distribution of the prizes and breaking-up ceremony last night many familiar faces were seen for the last time, some of them, perhaps, for ever. Yet the ceremony has its pleasant side, and the large attendance last night testified to the popularity of the school and the public’s interest in it. On the platform were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Wilson), Mrs. H. R. Billing, Miss C. A. Douglas, Mr. H. R. Billing, chairman of the Board of Governors, and Mr. L. C. Sladdeu, and the secretary, Mr. E. Lash, besides members of the staff. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. A. E. Washer, H. Dempsey, S. G. Smith, L. A. Nolan. J. 8. S. Medley and Dr. E. F. Fookes.

Mr. H. R. Billing said that in accordance with custom he would give a short outline of the work of the board during the past year. For some time the board and old girls had been keen upon securing a site and obtaining the funds for the erection of a hostel. During the past year this had materialised, and they now had a splendid site, enough money for the erection of a hostel and recreation grounds. But what was more important, they had secured a handsome grant from the Education Department. They had hoped that the building would be ready by the beginning of next year, but through unforeseen circumstances it would not be ready- until the beginning of 1928. They had made arrangements for carrying on at Studholm. He would like to thank the old girls for their efforts towards the establishment of a hostel and also the people of New- Plymouth who had so generously assisted in that direction. THE AMALGAMATION SCHEME. With reference to the amalgamation with the Technical College, they would make an eft'ort at the beginning of next year, but the scheme would not be in working order until late next year or the begining of 1928. The carrying out of the scheme would probably require special legislation. The inspectors and Director of Technical Education would visit New Plymouth in February to draw up a programme to enable the schools to work together so that the pupils of either school might have the benefit of both.

The Education Department had made a grant for the new class rooms, which were making good progress. They would provide for the natural increase of the attendance at the school as a result of the amalgamation. He regretted to announce that they were to lose a most valued assistant teacher, Miss N. Tizard, who had beeu with them a considerable time. Besides her inside activities she had been of great assistance as acting sports mistress and senior house mistress. (Applause.) They were all very sorry to lose her, but they hoped her advancement would continue and to see her some day occupying the position of a principal. Miss Valentine had also left during the year, much to their regret. After wishing the girls a happy New Year, the Mayor said he did so first because he meant it as a kind of text. He wanted them to cultivate a spirit of happiness which would carry them through life with the greatest ease. How could it be done? It was part of their education to cultivate habits of mind so that they could meet everything with a happy smile. He wanted them to practice self-control and to remember that real happiness was governed by the quality of one's thoughts. He had thought that their amalgamation with the Technical School was to have taken place at the beginning of next year, and was sorry to hear that this was not so. It was an experiment which was bound to succeed if all connected gave it their hearty co-opera-tion. It was a great thing for the youth of the town. When the amalgamation came about he did not want them to think of the girls coming as pupils of a sister college, but that they were all sisters of one college. The way to welcome them to their school was to show them what a fine school theirs was and that they were losing nothing by coming to it. He wanted them to feel that their addition to the school was going to add to its prestige and not detract from it. He desired them to make the Technical College pupils feel that theirs was the best school of all and they now had the opportunity of making it better than ever. They should teach the incoming teachers the traditions of the school, nnd he hoped they would enter upon the third period of their existence sooner than they did the second and take rank us the first school of New Zealand. PRIDE IN THE SCHOOL. The pride of school would come back to them in after years, and they would honour it for what it had done for them, as His Worship did his old school. Because it had done so much for them they should do something for it. By their sympathy and attendance at its functions they eould do an enormous amount of good. They should follow the example of their excellent old girls, for in after years they had found time to help their school. Addressing particularly those who were "leaving, Miss C. A. Douglas, a member of the Board of Governors, said she took it for granted that those who were leaving were doing so with honour. With those who left “not absolutely straight,” the school had failed. The girls were leaving school not knowing a a great deal, but with the knowledge of how to learn more, with mental alertness. She had tried to' think of some tract with which one might give of the best to those with whom one came into contact, but was not that spirit which prompted Captain Oates, of Scott’s expedition, to leave his companions to go out and die so that they might live, the spirit they needed to carry them through life? They might think that by leaving s hoof they were going to lead an uneventful life and wonder how that spirit eould do anything for them, but was it not a sense of responsibility which prompted Captain Oates* action? Miss ]>onglas went on to speak of the hardships of the children of Shanghai, working in factories and of the injustices they suffered. There were a number of injustices in New Zealand, she said, and elic wanted them to keep their minds

alert. They should not become embittered, but keep their minds open; hold the right attitude over these things and not lapse into complacence so long as they know such injustices elisted. Those girls leaving school would soon reach the age of twenty-one, and if they neglected to vote, then they were not doing their duty. She had two “dont’s” for them. "Don’t begin the cocktail habit.” If they went through life leaving alcohol strictly alone they would never regret it and their consciences would be more at ease. "Don't play games for money, and have nothing to do with art unions.” PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. In her annual report covering the activities of the past year, the principal (Miss D. N. Allan) stated, inter alia: — “No -words of mine could adequately express the debt we owe to the Old Girls’ Association. They have laboured for ten years, and their energy and devotion were recognised and appreciated by the Minister of Education, so that he opened the purse widely and gave our school the grant necessary to build a large and beautiful house, able to accommodate at least 84 girls. When our board assumed the responsibility of purchasing Scotlands they won for themselves the gratitude of oncoming generations of New Plymouth girlhood. “The year just completed presents three new features to which I would make reference. The amalgamation with Mrs. Stafford’s school has undoubtedly strengthened our preparatory, and has added a touch of masculinity to our otherwise somewhat feminine atmosphere. W'e hope to send on to Mr. Moyes a regular succession for standard 3 of Fitzroy boys to whom in their early youth the distance to Eliot Street was too great. In the near future we must consider the establishment of a new building for those of kindergarten and primer age, leaving our present preparatory building for those in the standards. Then, and then only, shall we be what we ought to be—complete from kindergarten to university. “Last year the guide movement was organised in Taranaki, and at the beginning of the year a school company was formed. On March 23, Lady Marjorie Dalrymple, organising secretary for the Dominion, enrolled our 34 guides under the enthusiastic captaincy of Miss Stewart. Later Miss Hurle’s Brownie pack was started. Brownies are all under 11 years of age; when they reach 11 the Brownie pack gives them wings to enable them to fly up to become the guides. PRACTICAL HOME SCIENCE. “In the upper school the experiment of a practical home science cottage has been tried out and has proved successful. Under the capable wardenship of Miss Finlayson, boarders have gone in rotation to Studholme cottage, where they have actually done the work of their own home, keeping it in order, cooking and serving breakfast and tea. Classes have gone over from school to cook dinner for the boarders and to have sewing lessons. The parade recently held in which every junior of the school had to appear- in a frock she herself had made shows the practical value of the Studholme classes.

"We ail owe much to the teaching staff of this school. They have this year given generously of strength, of interest, of time, in school hours and out of school hours, to further its prosperity. In losing Mies Valentine and Miss Tizard we are losing, or rather I should say we are sending on to wider and fuller experience, two -who have meant very much to the life of the school. Miss Valentine's skill in teaching, excellence in drill and musical ability made her a member of the staff whom it was very hard to lose, but we wish her all joy in fier married life. Our good wishes accompany Mies Tizard as she leaves us to fill the post of senior mistress in the Hamilton High School. The vacant positions on the staff have been filled by Miss Johnston, a specialist in English, who has already done much to improve the condition of our library, and by Miss Fox, a distinguished old girl of the school. SUCCESS IN SPORT. “A prominent feature of school life is the interest taken by the girls in school sports. Last summer's swimming season was very successful, particularly as regards long distance swimming. Nineteen girls finished one mile or more. Where the water supply and facilities for learning swimming are as good as they are in Taranaki, it should be an unheard of thing for any girl to leave school unable to swim. At the annual athletic sports held in November one school record was broken, namely, the high jump, in which Betty Stevens cleared 4ft. sJin. Tennis this term has been much interfered with by the building operations, part of the courts being badly cut up "so that the competition events have had to be postponed till next term. Two matches have been played against St. Mary’s School, the first at Stratford, when High School won by a narrow margin, and the return match played this term at East End, when St. Mary’s beat us by two games. The new volley board will be a great help to those who are keen to improve their game. Basket ball and hockey were played throughout the winter term. All coaching in sport is done voluntarily by the staff out of school hours. No one could fail to appreciate their efforts, but it cannot be denied that a school of this size urgently needs the services of a full time games mistress.

“The following matriculation and scholarship successes were gained last year: Taranaki Scholarship, M. Ewart; higher leaving certificates, E. Chapman, R. Day, L. Wooldridge, D. Wood, H. Harkness; matriculation, 10 passes out of 25; lower leaving certificates, O. Abraham, A. Hay- aid, M. Ross; senior national scholarships, 3; junior national scholarship, 1. At the inspector’s visit senior free places were granted to 32 candidates, and junior extensions to 6 others. Christine Harkness completed her D, and Maisie Ritter gained her partial. Second place in the Hawera Show essay was taken by Lesley Mac Diarmid, while in the essay competition organised by the Victoria League, Audrey Eberlet, Miriam Hill and Betty Keeling were awarded prizes. Among the old girls, successful candidates in teachers’ examinations are L. Valentine, A. Abraham, K. Campbell, R. Edgecombe, H. Heckler, D. Hodges, G. Hogarth, M. Julian (special mention for needlework). University results include Elmira Million, M.A. (honours in English mid French), Mary Downes, 8.A., Evelyn White, 8.A., Flora Cameron, B.A. Terms were kept by M. Thompson, E. Heycock, L. Ballaniyne, M. Ewart, M. M. McLeod, M. Downes, W. Downes. “We have been fortunate in having no serious epidemic during the year, the health of the girls and the corresponding attendance being good. A certain amount of influenza, was prevalent among the boarders in the winter term, giving care and trouble to our matron, Miss Giblin. But considered as a whole, the physique of our girls is satisfactory.”

THE PRIZE LIST. SPORTS PRIZES. Junior Division.—Jean Charters, athletics, first potato race; swimming, first breaststroke, first backstroke, first one length, first egg and spoon race, first neat header; Thelma Sly field, first goal shooting; Gwen Olson, first 50yds, first hopping, first 100 yards; Mollie Stokoe. first dog paddle. Intermediate Division. —Nancy Henderson, first two lengths and crocodile race; Maisie Judd, first maiden race under 15; Norrie Ambury, first dog paddle; Vivien Ciegg, first long dive and breaststroke; Zena George, first one length and plunge: Doris Hunter, first beginners’ race; Patricia Partridge, first diving for plates and Corfu dive; Irene Larkin, first egg and spoon; Mary Hine, first neat header, first sack race over 15; Joan Webster, first egg and spoon, hurdles and high jump; Joan Sladden, first sack race under 15; Phyllis Henry, first wet weather race; Molly Allen, first potato race, throwing cricket ball and 440yds; Edith Garcia, first goal shooting; Doreen Lobb, first goal throwing; Freda McNeill, first &20 yards. Senior Division.-—Phyllis Fitzgerald, first three lengths and 11 lengths, first breaststroke and neat header, first crocodile race; Lily Hookham, first maiden race over 15, first hurdles, first 440 yards; Thelma Stone, first dog paddle, first blindfold and plunge; Mildred Griffin, first (open) backstroke and thread needle; Lorna Marshall, first long dive; Vene Mullon, first egg and spoon; Barbara Balharry, first egg and spoon; Betty Stevens, first high jump and obstacle race, first potato race, first goal shooting; Mavis Collins, first thread-needle; Stella Brough, first goal throwing; Gladys Sandford, first throwing cricket ball; Jean Macßae, first 220 yards and 440 yards; old girls’ race, Nora Palmer. Cups.—Tennis, Mavis Collins; swimming championship under 14, Mr. Greiner’s cup, Jean Charters; under 16, Mr. Bennett’s cup, Vivien Clegg and Zena George; over 16, Mr. F. Brown’s eup, Phyllis Fitzgerald; athletics championship, under 14, Mr. F. Hillis’ cup, Gwen Olson; under 16, Molly Allen; over 16, Jean Macßae; high jump, Betty Stevens; excellence in Sports, Lily Hookham; excellence in school work, Ethel Ellis. Dr. Fookes’ rose bowl for excellence in sports and school work, B. Balharry; Forms’ relay, Mrs. Brown’s rose bowl, Form IV. B. Special Prizes.—Dancing, Miss Fookes* prize, E. Moffitt ; sewing, Miss Douglas’ prize, K. Morey; neatest science book, Miss Million’s prize, Vth Form, A. Wells; IVth Forms, T. Balharry; 3rd Forms, J. Morton; practical home science, Miss Finlayson’s prize, L. Fox. Drawing prizes given by Mr. and Mrs. Lash, Vth Forms, I. Lysons; IVth Forms, S Brough; 3rd Forms, K. Morey.

SCHOOL WORK PRIZES. lIIC. —First languages, mathematics and science, J. Smith; second languages, M. Allen; second mathematics and science, A. Betts; first commercial, E. Page; general proficiency, R. Cannon. HIB. —First languages, M. Thrush; second languages, M. Matangi; first mathematics and science, E. Oldfield; second mathematics and science, O. Masters; general knowledge, J. Ingram. 111 A.—First languages, J. Tichbon; second languages, D. Ridifig; first mathematics and science, P. Harvey; second mathematics and science, J. Tichbon; general excellence, E. Mullon and P. Jarman. IVB.—First languages, C. Partridge: second languages, mathematics and science, F. Northern: first mathematics and science, J. Smith; first commercial, B. Symons; general excellence, J. Flyger. " IVA. —First languages, V. Pepper and F. Chivers equal; first mathematics and science, I. Christoff ell; second mathematics and science, A. Wells; general excellence, J. Messenger and T. Willis. V. —First languages, mathematics and science, I. Lysons; second languages, E. Vickers; second mathematics and science, T. Stone; general excellence, M. Ritter and E. Gray. VIB.— First mathematics and science, M. Collins; excellence in work, Miss Maclean’s prize, E. Ellis; general excellence, J. Rait. VIA. —2nd VI. A, M. Sturm; first VI A, dux of school, Mr. and Mrs. Billing’s prize, E. Field. During the evening the girls sang the school song and “Gaudeamus.” The ceremony was followed by a short entertainment by the pupils. The programme was as follows: —Christmas carol (J. Ingram and E. Cruickshank, vocalists); junior singing, "As it fell upon a day” and “Skye Boat Song”; orchestral selection; senior singing, “China Mandarin.” An Irish play in one act, “Land of Heart’s Desire,” by W. B. Yates, followed, the girls showing remarkable ability and talent. The cast was as follows: Maurteen Bruin, Dulcie Eva; Bridget Bruin, Lola M. Kella; Shawn Bruin, Marion Stevens; Mary Bruin, Beverley Burton; Father Hart, Audrey Hay; A Faery Child, Betty Paterson.

PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR CONCERT AND PRIZE-GIVING. The annual breaking-np ceremony of the preparatory department of the New Plymouth Girls’ High School was held at the school yesterday afternoon in conjunction with an enjoyable concert by the pupils. On the platform were Mesdames H. R. Billing and E. Lash, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans, Mr. H. R. Billing, chairman of the Board of Governors, and Mr. E. Lash, secretary. A large number of parents and friends attended. • Miss L. Smith reported upon the work of Standards V. and VI. as follows: This break-up marks the close of our first year as a complete school with classes from Primer I. to Standard VI. At the commencement of the year Standards IV., V. and Vi. assembled in one room, but, as it would not accommodate so many pupils, Standard IV. went to the junior room and Standards V. and VI. continued with thirty pupils. The majority of the pupils have worked well throughout the year, and many of them have taken an active interest in the sporting side of school life. .Swimming has been indulged in, sixteen now possessing long distance certificates. Those who secured the certificates were: Jean Lash, Marie Webster, Jean Collins, Nancy Western, Betty List, Doris Christie, Miriam Hill and Noreen Loveridge. During the winter a basketball team was entered in the primary schools competition. but, although they made au early start, they were not able to get sufficient practice to make them successful. Prior to sports day the girls trained untiringly and, when the day came, managed to secure some of the prizes.

They also threw themselves enthusiasts ally into the work of raising money for the gala day. Their efforts on behalf of their queen realised the sum of £5 17s 6d, so they will feel that they have had a share in the buying of the new grounds. In June several of our girls entered essays and drawings in the primary schools’ competitions at the Hawera show. The following were placed on the prize list: Essays, Royce Here, Marie Carroll, Margaret Fraser and Alison White; drawings, Loe Featherstone, Margaret Fookes and Marjorie Smith. Some of our pupils have become members of the Victoria League and are now linked up in correspondence with children of other lauds. We have, also, eleven keen Girl Guides, who spend interesting and profitable afternoons under the captaincy of Miss Stewart. During the second term gardening operations were commenced. The girls brought soil from the bush for seedboxes, and Mr. Gowan kindly gave our garden a top-dressing. Plants and seeds were put in, but were soon buried by material for the building operations. Mr. McKenzie examined our school on November 12, and expressed his satisfaction with the standard of work and with the behaviour of the pupils. The proficiency examination resulted in eleven of sixteen Standard VL pupils being recommended for proficiency. The final results were: Proficiency 13, competency one. Later three of our number sat for Junion National Scholarships.

LOWER DEPARTMENT REPORT. Reporting on the work of primer classes and Standards I. 11, 111. and IV., Mrs. J. Stafford stated that at the beginning of the year the roll number was 24, but later went up to 37 and another class had to be formed. She thanked the parents for donations towards the cost of the primers’ prizes. They had done good work. On the last occasion that they met at a similar gathering, said Mr. Billing, things were very different. They were then ]< king about for more pupils and better arrangements. The coming of Mrs. Stafford had resulted in this, and the preparatory w r as now filled to its capacity. He congratulated Miss Smith and Mrs. StaTord upon their excellent year’s work, which was borne out -by the inspector’s report. The preparatory department’s activities had resulted in a small sum of money going towards the purchase of Scotlands, which must be very gratifying to them. He wished them all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and hoped that next year they would find the hours only far too short. THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH. He felt great pleasure at being present, said Archdeacon Evans, because nothing delighted him more than ’the sight of bright, smiling faces. He had always thought it a splendid thing to be young, because then life was always before them and not past as with older persons. He congratulated the mistresses upon the success of their work, and thought it must be very encouraging to be able to give reports like theirs. Young children might wonder Why they had to come to school, but if they realised more they would enter into their work with greater zeal. The acquisition of knowledge, he thought, gave greater pleasure than anything else in life. GRASPING OPPORTUNITIES.

He wanted them to avail themselves of the opportunities provided at school. They would then be able to take thenplaces in society without making mistakes and be able to converse properly with people with whom they came in contact. In school life they came into contact with many fine persons who might be better than themselves and whom it would be a great advantage for them to meet. But there was something greater than that. When they went to school they began to form their characters. He wanted them to rememberthat every day they lived they w-ere doing something to add to their characters, and so when they left school he hoped they would not only be splendid scholars, but leave with high characters, so noble that people would naturally think much of them. He hoped they would be loyal to their school and mistresses, for esprit de corps was a splendid thing. He hoped they would try to bring the idea of loyalty into their jives and trusted they would have a very happy holiday. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. Mrs. Lash then distributed the prizes as follows: —Special prizes, sewing, Standard VL, Nancy Western; Standard V., Nonnie Griffiths; Mrs. Stafford’s prize, Standard IV., Nancy CromptonSmith; Standard 111., Irene Farmer; Standard 1.. Betty Duff-Taylor; monitress prize (Miss Smith), Joan Rennell; drawing prize (Miss Smith), Marjorie Smith. CLASS PRIZES. Primer I.—-William Holder, Walter Lambert, Donald Price, Betty Duncan, Margaret Bewley; Phyllis Hair, Blythe Austin. Primer lll.—Russell Freeman, Peter Quilliam, 7'uth Stamp, Jessie Craig, Syble Johnston, Douglas Hair, Jack Bewley. Standard I. —Allen Beale 1, J. Quilliam 2. Standard lI.—J. Climie and J. Cresswell (equal) 1, H. Francis 2. Standard lII.—I. Farmer 1, P. Poole 2; Suzette Allen, excellence in work. Standard IV.—Nancy Crompton-Smith 1. Laura Allhusen 2. Standard V.—A. White 1. B. George 2. Standard VI.—B. Keeling 1, D. Christie 2. SPORTS PRIZES. Sports prizes were awarded as follows:—Beginners’ dive, Marjorie Smith; skipping, Kathleen Tremlett; 25yds under 10, Jocelyn Milroy; tortoise bicycle race, Joan Rennell; goal throwing, Doris Christie; sack race, David Stafford; 100 yards. Miriam Hill. A most enjoyable concert by the pupils followed. They displayed much talent and their numerous items were greatly appreciated. The programme was as follows: —Songs, “The Lark” and “The Fairies” by the singing class: pianoforte sole by M. Carroll; recitations, “Baby Land” and "It’s No Joke to be a Baby.” by Primer I; “Miss Milligan's Girls,” by D. Tate and others; recitation, "The Sea and the Wind,” Lola McKellar; violin solo, “Petite Marche,” by D. Stafford; recitations, "Home Thoughts from Abroad’ and “Mercy,” by A. White and M. Hill; “Look* Up and Try,” by the primers; recitations, “The Union Jack” and ‘‘Admirals All,” by Joan Rennell and Standard V. girls; tambourine drill, by girls from Standards 111., IV. and V.; recitations, “Tommy the Scout,” by bqyB and "The Crow's Children,” by Jean Climie; pianoforte solo, by M. Ramson.