HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 9

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

CULTURE; CHARACTER-BUILDING

CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION’S CAUSE

In these pages is set out briefly the history of a school. For those, who have been associated with it at any time during the history of its existence, a record of its growth and of the growth of institutions connected with it must hold interest —an interest of both pride and sentiment. For those who have not been associated with it, such a record may, then, hold the interest of example." The New Plymouth Girls’ High School has grown in the best traditions of a country noted for the excellence of its educational institutions. It has seen varied fortunes, but through them has preserved a unity of purpose and an admirable individuality that go so far in developing a social consciousness and definite morality among its products. Its girls bear in after life the stamp of the training in the sense of both culture and character. That they are sensible to the debt they owe the school is shown by the strength and determination with which girls of the school have championed its cause in after life. In no small degree has its rapid development been due ;to the 'enthusiasm with which the Old Girls’ Association has instituted or supported movements to provide for the school facilities of accommodation and equipment. Significant, too, is .the school’s place in the actual history of two generations. For it is essentially an institution of a new world that has given women the right of equality with men in education, and permitted women the opportunity of deciding in what sphere of life they shall live out their usefulness. The school’s training, as perusal of these columns will show beyond doubt, has contributed to the common wealth of New Zealand in personal coin. Easter, 1935, is the 50th anniversary of the school’s foundation. With appropriate rejoicing its students, past and present,' will celebrate its passage from the ranks of the New to the ranks/ of the Old, in the hope that, by honouring and finding pride in what is past, the future may find fresh inspiration to progress.