GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18140, 14 December 1928, Page 10

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

BREAKING-UP CEREMONY.

A BRIGHT GATHERING. The annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with the Timaru Girls’ High School was held in the Bay Hall last night. The weather conditions were unfavourable, but this did not prevent an exceptionally large number of people from attending the function. In fact all the available seating accommodation was taxed a quarter of an hour before proceedings commenced. The gathering was presided over by Mr S. D. Mason (deputy-chairman of the High School Board). There were also on the platform Dr. Hight, of Canterbury University College, Miss J. R. Barr, M.A. (Principal of the School), and members of the teaching staff and the Board. Proceedings were opened with the singing of the National Anthem, which was followed by a school song, the singers being conducted by Mr A. W. V. Vine. At the outset the chairman made reference to the latest news regarding the illness of His Majesty the King, stating that all would be very pleased to hear ’ that a slight improvement had taken place. It was their earnest desire that His Majesty would have a speedy recovery. Continuing, the chairman apologised for the absence of the chairman of the Board (Mr J. Bitchener, M.P.), who had been detained in Wellington owing to his Parliamentary duties. That evening’s ceremony was the first Mr Bitchener had missed for eighteen years, and they regretted his absence very much. Mr Mason congratulated Miss Barr and the members of her staff on the excellent manner in which the school had gone through the year’s work. The attendance during the year had reached a record, and he felt sure that the amount of knowledge gained had also reached record proportions.

The Lady Principal (Miss J. It. Barr) read tho following report:— “Wo began the year with a roll of 348 ; the increase in our numbers being sufficient to entitle us to an additional teacher. Miss F. M. Mcßae of the Edinburgh School of Art was appointed and commenced work in March. At tho beginning of the year, w© welcomed M:ss Jones and Miss Sanderson who has taken Miss Baker’s place while she has been on leave in Europe. In October last Miss Cunningham resigned and her place has been filled by Miss Wheatley. 1 should like to say liow very much I appreciated the excellent work done by Miss Cunningham while on tho staff. She took a keen interest in all our School activities and was particularly helpful with the choir and school sing-, mg. “Our candidates for the different examinations held at the end of 1927 acquitted themselves creditably: 21 girls received Higher Leaving Certificates, 29 passed Matriculation and 2 completed their passes, 2 gamed partial* passes in the Accountancy Preliminary 'examination, 4 gained Senior National Scholarships!, 2 Junior Scholarships, 7 passed Civil Service Entrance, and 69 gained Senior Free Places either in recommendation or by having passed 1 tho public examination. During the year 3 girls in the secondary department gained Proficiency certificates, and in August last one girl passed in full the Teachers’ D examination, while 15 obtained passes in one or more groups of subjects. “Our various school activities have been successfully carried on througout the year. Our two companies of ’Girl Guides have done good work and their members have learned many useful things. We have been grateful to Averill Lawrence and Kathleen Standage, two old girls, for their help with No. 2 Company. Our branch of the Young Helpers’ League lias continued to do its good work and £5 has been collected during the year to send to' Dr. Bamado’s Homes. Our swimming sports took place in March. Unfortunately, owing to the large number of girls, we had to exclude visitors; but I hope before our next sports to have the oaths enclosure enlarged. Fifty-one girls have gained long distance certificates for swimming. We have to thank Mr Fraser for the interest he has taken in the girls’ swimming and for his help in judging for their colours. At the end of tho first term we gave our school entertainment in the Theatre Royal. We are grateful for the support given us by parents and friends. On October 19, we held our school sports, when despite a somewhat chilly day, there was a good attendance of spectators. To obviate any chance of undue strain, some of the more strenuous events were I run off before or after sports day. The | consistent, care and attention given to the physical training of the girls has had an excellent effect on their bearing and general physique. We have to thank Major Mason for again judging 1 our drill squads for the Cleland Cup. , On November 18 a party of girls went I to Mt. Cook, where they had a wonderful week-end, thanks to the excellent arrangements made for them. “This year, Parents’ Day fell on November 24, when an exhibition was given of the handwork done by x the pupils during the year. This included dressmaking and plain sewing, fancy work, leather work, cookery, painting in water colours and drawings in black and white. The domestic science kitchen was completed during the first term. It has made possible a much more thorough, course in this branch of our work both in garment making and in cookery. The additional rooms now in course of construction will give us much needed facilities for our arts and crafts section, as one of the new rooms will be available for this part of our work.

“At the beginning of the year, we had a very interesting talk on Ambleside and its work, from Miss Pennetliorne who came to New Zealand in the interests of the Parents’ National Education Union. One morning last term the Rev. Mr Gladstone Hughes gave an interesting and instructive talk to the school on the work of the League of Nations. Early in the third term, Mr J. B. Strong, Director of Education, paid us a visit. The Secondary Schools Inspectors, Mr Parr and Miss Hether-

mg ton visited the school in the first and third terms, their first visit being for the purpose of reporting on the general work of the school, and tho second for awarding Senior Freeplaces and Leaving Certificates. “Our Preparatory' School has had a successful and happy year and the three girlß from Standard VI who sat for the Proficiency examination were all successful in gaining their certificates. At the House, also, we have had a good year and considering our numbers, have been very free from sickness. Our pleasant grounds, with their facilities lor games, and our swimming poo], encourage the House girls to live very much out of doors, and this in a great measure accounts for a good bill of health. ’Hie annexe which accommodates 12 girls was ready for use at tho beginning of the year. This has done away with all crowding in the House and has also made it possible to arrange for sitting rooms for the older girls, where they can read and work in peace. Wo have to thank Mr Barkas for several very interesting talks on his travels in Asia and Europe, and the Boys’ School for tho use of their lantern. “Although the school is not responsible for finding employment for girls on leaving school, I feel that it is responsible for equipping them, to earn their living if need be. Our chief aim —and in this I have the real support of the members of my staff—" is to turn out girls with some strength and Independence of character. Not all the examination ssuecesses in the world will compensate a girl for weakness of character. We aim also at instilling a respect for work and a realisation of the fact that a girl will ultimately make a success of her own life only if she does her best for those who employ her. Perhaps the soundest advice that can be given to a girl to-day, was given a century ago. ‘Keep your heart clean and give your head employment.’ With this as her ideal, a. girl can hardly fail to be happy and io make a success of her life. So far, our girls have been fortunato in getting suitable posts. All our last year’s candidates for probationships in teaching were successful in securing appointment., and I hope that equal good fortune awaits those who are applicants this year. Most of our Form V commercial girls have found suitable positions during the last term. “I have to thank the old girls of the school for again giving usi £lO towards our prize fund. We appreciate their help verv much. We are .also very grateful to Mrs Georgo Gabities, who not only spent a long and very tiring afternoon judging; the sewing, but has given all the prizes for it as well; to Mrs Arthur, Mrs Duncan, Miss Rudge, Miss Spring, Mrs Readie and Mr Vine for gifts of books. In conclusion, I have to thank those with whom I have been associated during the year —the members of my staff for their great, helo, the prefects, and the members of the Board of Governors.”

Dr. Hight’s Address. Following an item by the School Choir, directed by Miss J. Cunningham, Dr. Hight was called on to address the gathering. The speaker expressed thanks for the warm welcome that had been extended to him. It w'as an excellent thought which prompted the singing of a lullaby before his speech, for it was like the administration of an anaesthetic to a person visiting a dentist. .(Laughter.) Dr. Hight said there was a close association between the Universities and the secondary schools, and the work which was done in the former depended largely on the work done in the latter. Likewise the work done in the secondary schools depended largely upon the attitude of the teachers, and upon the inspiration they received, or were supposed to receive, at the Universities. Dr. Hight indicated that there was a close tie between Canterbury College and the Timaru High Schools, and told how the Christchurch Girls’ High*'School was founded on the initiative of the late Sir William Rolleston in 1875. Steps were later taken for. the establishment of a U gh School in Timaru, and this was brought about in 1879. Everyone connected with education knew what

fine schools Timaru possessed, and they also knew the wisdom which attached to the selection of the heads of the two schools. (Applause.) The authorities at Canterbury College appreciated very much the fine material they received from Timaru — I in fact from the whole of South Canterbury, not forgetting Waimate. He could mention names, but it would be invidious to do so. The speaker went on to deal with the important function of secondary schools, stating that everywhere secondary education was being extended. In England everyone was kept at school until they attained the age of 16, but in some of the'American States the age limit was 21. This, however, was only. one proof of the national concern for education abroad. There was an intense interest in everything pertaining to education, its aims, organisation, curriculum, methods of teaching, training of teachers, functions of State, public local authorities and private schools. In New Zealand' there was a cry that there was far too much education, that too many boys and girls were being sent to the, High Schools. He did not

thinlc there were any 1 present who i would hold to that view. They could • not have too much secondary education, hilt there might he something in the argument that it was not suited to modern conditions. Why was so much interest, being taken? In the first place It was recognised that there must be education, if the fullest advantage was to he taken of what was offering in life to-day. People in New Zealand were finding the stress of economic life most severe, and were being drawn into world politics. The solution of these problems required a different training to that of years gone by. The fate of nations depended more and more on the character of the mass of the people. The present was a transition age, an age of adjustment of ideas and circumstances. New Zealand in the past had been in the forefront in certain respects, but today she was not keeping pace with progress abroad. “We are too much given to . praising our system unreservedly,” said Dr. Hight, “but to do that is to put too great a strain on our loyalty. True loyalty desires to serve, and does not consist in acquiescence In positive faults and de-

fects.” After dealing with some of the more striking developments, Dr. Hight went on to refer to opinions expressed at the Imperial Education Conference, which opinions were influenced by policies already in operation. It was held that the traditional type of secondary school was no longer adapted to the social and scientific changes of the time. The school was not alive to these changes. In the post-primary school they needed a greater variety of courses, courses which included practical instruction. There should be differentiated curricula, in view of the wide variations of temperament, gifts and capacities. The University was responsible for a good deal of the evil in secondary education in New Zea-

land', but a change would he made next year in the direction of providing scholarships in such a way that they would appeal more to the girls than to the boys. The development of the principle he had mentioned would mean a favourable reaction on the primary school. The speaker referred to the cost of the change, stat-

ing that although the cost of educating those in standards 5 and 6 would be slightly, greater in pounds, the return would he Infinitely greater in education. They should bring not fewer but more into secondary edu-

cation, but the system should be so modelled as to provide for a differentiation of the courses to suit the requirements of the child. This could be done in many wgys, either by Junior High Schools, by tops of existing primary schools .or by District High Schools. The latter were abandoned in England in 1902, and had been discredited everywhere except where conditions were backward. They should really be regarded as monstrosities. New Zealand was a country which deserved and which could provide the be.st form of secondary education, and the consensus of opinion was that it was to be found in the direction in which England and other countries were moving. Dr. Hight went on to refer to control and administration, and concluded by saying: “We owe to humanity and the world at large the very best educational system we can devise, so that heredity and environment may be free to work out their fullest effects.” (Applause.) Dr. Hight then presented the prizes won during the year, after which Miss Helen Shaw recited the poem "Sherwood,” and the choir entertained the audience with two songs. On the motion of Mr W. D. Campbell, Dr. Hight was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for having visited Timaru at considerable inconvenience.

PRIZE LIST. The following is the prize list: — Dux of School. —Elsie Curie, Ist English, French, Home Science, Ist eq. Latin, 2nd History. General Efficiency.—Peggy Howden. Senior Essay.—Peggy Bowie. Junior Essay.—Mona Hughes. Howell Arithmetic Prize. Constance Grant. Mulholland Arithmetic Prize.— Doreen Andrews. ' Sewing Prizes.—Form VI., Kathleen Gilmore; Form Va, Beatrice Beauchamp; Form IV., Prof., Audrey Holdgate;. Form 1V.,-Dorn., Betty Sinclair and Chrissie Currie, lst, equal; Fcrm IV., Com., Doreen Andre-ws; Form TII., Dom., Margaret Andrews; Form 111., Com., Jean Sellwood. Leather Work.—Annie Callender. Fancy Work. —Clara McConnell 1, Florence Begg 2. Marquetry and Sewing.—Helen Thomson. Painting.—Senior.—Rosa White 1, Marjorie Odell. Junior. —Doris White 1, Helen Holdgate 2. Form Via.—Constance Grant, lst Mathematics, History, lst. eq. Latin, 2nd English, French, Home Science; Margaret Armstrong, 2nd Mathematics.

Form Vlb. —Margaret Young, lst Latin, 2nd Mathematics and Home Science, 2nd eq. French; Rosa White, Ist' Home Science, Physiology and Physics: Mary Lobb, Ist Mathematics; Saidie Morgan, lst History; Gladys Caird, lst English; Linda White, Ist French; Alison Black, Special for English. • Form Va.—Annie 'Kay, lst eq. Mathematics and Home Science; Annie Callender, lst lst eq. Home Science; Margaret Hassnll, lst Housecraft. 2nd English ; Monica Fountaine, lst French; Lillah Buchanan, Ist eq. Mathematics; Glenice Bohm, lst Arithmetic; Betty Sutherland, lst Geography. Form Vb.—Doris White, lst English, Ist Homo Science, 2nd Mathematics; Amy Dash, lst History, Latin and French; Marjorie Odell, lst Mathematics; Nina Oed, lst Geography; Sheila Malthus, Progress; Winifred AVeenink, Progress.

Form V. Com.—Muriel Mason, Ist History, Arithmetic, Shorthand, Economics, Ist eq. Typing; Margaret Reid, Ist English,' Georgfaphy, Home Science, Bookkeeping, Ist eq. Typing. Form IV. Prot.—Lennore Wood" Ist English, 2nd Mathematics; Mona Hughes, Ist Latin and Home Science, 2nd History; Ida Mackenzie, Ist Mathematics; Peggy Foote, Ist History and Geography, 2nd Home Science; Noclino Anstey, Ist cq. French, 2nd Latin; Mabel Townsend, Ist eq. French; Marjorie Staniland, 2nd English ; Marjorie Monaghan, 2nd j History, Form IV., Horn.—Ethel Adams, Ist English, French, Arithmetic, History, ] Geography, Physiology and House- I craft ; Catherine Vucetich, 2nd ! French, Geography, Home ISeience and j Physiology; Elizabeth Sinclair. 2nd; English, History and Housecraft; 1 Joyce Jovnt, Ist Home Science : ! Thelma Dale, Progress. Form ,IV., Com. —Amy Roy, Ist English and Home Science, 2nd’History and Bookkeeping; Elizabeth Green, Ist French and Shorthand, 2nd English; .Doreen Andrews, Ist Arith-

metic, 2nd French; Muriel Cranston, [ Lst History; Helen Hoklgate, Ist Typewriting and Drawing; Frances I Greenfield, Ist Bookkeeping. i Form JH., Prof.—Mary Moody, lst, Science, 2nd Mathematics; Doris | Tozer, Ist Mathematics;' Catherine I Gnffaney, 2nd English, .French, Science; Jessie Holst, lst Latin and

[French; Alma Odeli, Ist English; I Isabel Reid, lst Geography, 2nd 11 is- ( tory, Jessie Bradley, Ist History. | Form 111., Dom. —-Mary Howden, Ist English and History; Alaiy Waddell, I Ist Geography, Ist eq. Arithmetic ; Margaret Alavo, lst Home Sc.once and Housecraft; Irene Loggott, lst I Physiology; Marjorie Cleland, Ist eq. | Arithmetic ; furry Lamb, Ist Freneli; : Marjorie Appleby, Ist eq. Geography; : Evelyn Adams. Progress, i Form 111., Com. —it.ennor Miller, Ist French, Arithmetic, Sc.once. Shorthand, llonkkeepmg ; Lilian iShulito. lsi English, 2nd Arithmot c, French. History and Shorthand; .Alargaret Nelson, Ist History and Geography. 2nd Science; Alary Stirling, Progress; Hazel Healey, Progress; Haze: Aiackav, Progress. Challenge Cups.—Senior swimming, Alary Rodgers; junior swimming, Jean Brewer; diving, Joan Brower; inter Form swimming relay. Form lA' C; senior athletic, Ala vis fhyne; junior athletic, Edna Alorrison; preparatory athletic, Molly AlcKeown; inter Form relay, Form A'a ; senior I'jmiis, Aladelino Eliot ; junior tennis, Jean Brewer; iutq£ hoskftt WU, fl'orin

( IA r c; inter form drill, Form IA r p. ; Sports colours.—Daphne Alason, I basket ball, athletic stripe, swimming and drill stripes; Betty Sutherland. I basket ball, tennis, swimming and drill I stripes; Je.-sio Ibomson, basket ball, tennis, swimming and drill stripes. PREPARATORY SCHOOL. The following is the Preparatory prize list : Cia.ss Prizes.—Standard AH., dux. Hazel Rule, 2nd Alary Cleland; Standard \’., H. Rothwell 1, Clara Liilico i2. Standard IV., Lot-pa Mackenzie. | Standard 111., Edna Burnett 1; AlarI guivt Ford 2. Standard 11., Joan Tal- ! hot 1 ; Shirley Ussher 2. Pt., Ruth Gee I ; Peggy AlcKcnzio 2. Progress Prizes.—Alollv AlcKeown, Ngairc Huston, Alary Alurphy, Isabel .Alarshall, June Kerr; Dorothy Talbot. Needlework, senior.—Alary Cleland 1. Nora Winter 2. Intermediate, Esmo Ussher. Junior, Shirley Ussher. French.—Ann Gabitos. Scripture, senior.—Hazel Rulejunior, Edna Burnett. ’ Special prizes for class work. . Spelling, Edna Burnett; writing Eleanor Qalanu; arithHwtifl, H. RoUTj well