ST. MATTHEW’S SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, 16 December 1932, Page 3

ST. MATTHEW’S SCHOOL.

“Miss H. East has full charge of the Kindergarten and Stds. I. and 11. As 1 have looked into the work from time to time I have been delighted with the progress these children have made. Their display of handwork, drill, singing, etc., reflected on their teacher the highest credit. There are 21 restless little souls in this department. “Mrs. Fieldhouse, highly trained and enthusiastic, has as usual been most thorough and successful in her work. We are also most grateful to her for all her help. Mrs. Fieldhouse has spared neither herself nor her time and has on all occasions thrown herself energetically into the life of the school. “Mr. Taylor, too, has been a good friend to the school. He has helped us at all our functions and has always been keenly interested in all our doings. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. “The Clergy—Mr. Rich and Mr. McLevie—have visited the school every week, and I am glad to say their lessons are among the most popular. There is very keen competition for top places and such is the excellence of the work that assigning marks is no easy task. First places and prizes given by Mr. Rich and in the Primary by Mr. McLevie were gained as follow:—Form VI., Jocelyn Hornabrook; Form V., Roma Hore; Form IV., Nora Robinson; Form 111., Leslie Beetham; Forms I. and 11., Diana Bolton. “It is not my custom to single out any girl for special commendation, but I feel that Roma Hore deserves a little extra praise. Roma has been a boarder for four years. She has never been late or absent and has always been first in her form. The greater the difficulty the greater is her enthusiastic endeavour. She has worked through a particularly heavy syllabus during the last three years and I trust in the Entrance Examination she will get the well earned reward. SCHOOL SPORTS.

“Though the sports this year have been under the direction of Miss East, she wishes me to say that having charge of the Kindergarten she has not been able to devote herself as entirely to sport affairs as she otherwise would have done. Miss East has been ably assisted by Jocelyn Hornabrook in hockey and cricket and it was owing to Jocelyn's enthusiasm that both these games carried on and arrived.

“In spite of the fact that the baths were not at our disposal until 4.15 p.m. each day, we gained the following awards in the Longuet Shield LifeSaving Competition: Two silver medallions, won by Lois Hosking and Mary Logan; and bronze medallions, won by Bessie Smith, Cynthia Smith, Roma Hore, Aila Beetham. Betty Paterson, Peggy Perry, Nancy Pay ton; elementary and proficiency certificates, by Jocelyn Betts, Nora Beetham and Mary Evans. The school came sixth in the Wellington district, five city colleges being below St. Matthew's. ‘ ‘ Many matches were played on both senior and junior tennis ladders during the year. The first team was successful in a match against Solway College, and also in a match against an Old Girls’ team, winning eight out of the nine matches in both cases. The second team also played a Solway College team and won by seven games to two. The senior championship was won by Bessie Smith, who beat Josephine Rutherford in the final. Leslie Beetham Avon the junior championship from Diana Bolton.

“Much keenness has been shown in cricket; as a result, the fielding improved greatly. Playing against the Old Girls' team, the school eleven lost by one run; against the Fathers, we won by 27 runs. “The basketball teams were very successful during the season. There was keen competition for places in the teams. Lois Hosking and Roma Hore both made splendid captains. The A team was runner-up in the inter-school competition played all through the second term, and the B team by no means disgraced itself. In the all day tournament, played at the Central School, the six-a-side school team, won the A grade competition, and the B team won the nine-a-side competition. We were very proud of the fact that Lois Hosking gained a place in the Wairarapa senior representative team—being the only school girl to do so. In the secondary representative team, Bessie Smith and Nan Rishworth were included. OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION. “No account of the school and its doings would be complete without some reference to the comparatively newlyformed Old Girls' Association. It is hardly necessary for me to tell them how much I value their efforts, but apart from all their activities I should like them to know what a joy it has been to me to know that my girls are banded together to keep alive the traditions of this school. As year by year their numbers Increase may their influence for good be felt throughout the whole community.

“We have had a very efficient domestic staff—some have served the school some seven to nine years. Anything that I, as Principal, have done would have l>een impossible without my capable, hard-working Matron and her staff of faithful helpers. I thank them most sincerely for their devotion to me and to the school.

“I thank the Board of Governors and all who have helped me in my work.'' THE PRIZE LIST. After delivering the address reported in another column, Canon James presented the prizes and certificates won during the year. The list is as follows: The Proficiency candidates came in. the following order:—Bona Rutherford, Nan Beetham, Betty Payton, Noeline Physick, I.'layne McLaren, Mary Evans, Jocelyn Betts. Form Places (Ist only).—Std. 11., Ann Peacock; Std. 111., Jocelyn Burling; Std. V., Diana Bolton; Form 11., Bona Rutherford; Form HI., Leslie Beetham; Form IV., Jessica DurradForm Vb., Ruth Durrad; Form Va.’ Roma Hore (special prize). Form Vl.—Barbara lorns (Dux). Pauline Mason Prize (conduct). — Elaine Prior. Higher Leaving Certificate.—Barbara lorns. Sports Prizes.—Diana Bolton, Leslie Beetham, Betty Peacock, Mary Evans Bessie Smith, Jocelyn Hornabrook. Cups. Tennis.—Senior, Bessie Smith; junior Leslie Beetham. Swimming.—Senior, Betty Paytonjunior, Mary Evans. ’ Atheltie Sports.—Senior, EniJ Sutherland; junior, Jessica Durrad; Sellar

Cup, Elaine Prior; House Cup, St. Clare’s. Miss Lazarus exhibited a 'beautiful cup which had been presented to the school by the head prefect, Jocelyn Hornabrook, to be awarded annually to the best all-round cricketer and to remain in the school always. PRESENTATION TO dINCIPAL. Dr. Archer Hosking said he wished to offer the thanks of the board and of parents to Miss Lazarus and the staff for the great work they had done, particularly during the past year. They had every reason to be thankful for the able way in which their children had been taught and the other activities of the school had been developed and directed. The development of dramatic talent and of powers of expression in the girls of the school were noteworthy. As a member of the board, he had worked with Miss Lazarus for a good many years and knew the wonderful work she had done. With other members of the board, he thanked her for that work. She was leaving the school well established and organised and he hoped that the standards she had set would be maintained. He offered Miss Lazarus his oavu best thanks and those of other parents of pupils. Grateful thanks were due also to Miss Vautin, the school matron, for her excellent care of the children. (Applause.) On behalf of the board, Mr. Smith presented Miss Lazarus with a reading lamp in remembrance of the school, and expressed a hope that as she sat in the light of the lamp, sfie would have many pleasant recollections of her long association with the school that she loved. (Applause.) Miss Lazarbs briefly offered her thanks and was loudly cheered.

SPEECH DAY & PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.

PROGRESS DURING THE PAST YEAR. PRINCIPAL FAREWELL ED. With a full muster of pupils, there was a large attendance of parents at the annual speech day and prize-giving of the St. Matthew’s Collegiate School for Girls, in the Assembly Hall yesterday. The occasion was saddened for all friends of the school by the knowledge that the able and well-belov-ed Principal, Miss F. Lazarus, was presenting her last report in that capacity. The chairman of the Board of Governors (Mr. Sydney Smith) presided and others who occupied seats on the platform were the Principal (Miss F. Lazarus) and members of her staff. Canon Percival James, who was the speaker of the day and presented the prizes, the Revs. E. J. Rich and E. M. MeLevie, Dr. Archer Hosking, Messrs. H. I’. Hugo, C. J. Bennett, H. F. Coom (members of the board). H. M. Boddington (secretary) and F. H. Taylor. The proceedings opened with the singing of the school hymn and later a numl>er of songs were sung by the members of the singing classes —“All Among the Barley,” “The Star,” “HoHy Gathering” (carol), and “Afton Water.” All were most sweetly sung and the part singing was excellent. The chairman said the year had been a trying one. Owing to the depression, they had lost a certain number of boarders. In the spirit of the times they had reduced their fees and hoped

in this way both to help parents and to retain boarders or even increase their number. He often wondered whether parents of girls in the Wairarapa realised what a tremendous asset they had in this school right at their doors. This school more than compared with other and larger establishments he had visited. Although he was not at liberty to go into details, the reports of the Government inspectors with reference to St. Matthew’s had been most excellent ones indeed. It behoved them all to do whatever they could to further the interests of the school. He wished briefly to refer to the Principal, Miss Lazarus, who, as they knew, was leaving them. In his connection with the school, he knew Miss Lazarus fairly well. He knew what a very fine character she had. Her sense of duty and her loyalty were outstanding and he was sure must have been a great lesson to every girl who had gone to the school during the time Miss Lazarus had been Principal. She would look back on nine years of faithful service and practically a lifetime given to the cause of education. (Loud applause.) Mr. Smith offered his thanks to members of the Parents’ Association and of the board who had shown him so much consideration during a trying year. He specially thanked Mr. Gill and Mr. Iveson for their help in conducting the school sports. Mr. Iveson had helped in this way over a long period of years, not only at the sports, but in getting off preliminary heats. The chairman thanked present for their continued interest in the school and said he trusted it would be even greater in the coming year. (Applause.) PRINCIPAL’S REPORT.

Miss Lazarus read the following report:—* 1 There has been an average roll of 79/80 for the year just closing, which compares perhaps favourably with that of more .prosperous years. The Secondary Department has varied from 44 to 40, so that the numbers there slightly exceed those in the Primary Department. The lowest numbers are in the upper primary—hence the small number of candidates who sat for proficiency this year. This year we entered five pupils for the Intermediate Examination and we hope that both these and our 12 pupils entered for University Entrance will do as well as the matriculation pupils did last year. Those in the latter examination who did themselves and their school credit in 1931 were Jocelyn Hornabrook, Beth Robinson, Nancy Carrick, Barbara, lorns and Mary Durrad. Mary Durrad has more than held her own in a city school i« a sixth form of 16 pupils. In French she has taken first place and a high place in her form. This year, Barbara lorns is to receive the Higher Leaving Certificate as Marjorie Bloxaia did last year.

“In the Secondary Department, Miss C. M. Miller, 8.A., has done splendid work both in and out of school. I happen to know most about the actual teaching and all parents and friends who were present at the two performances of “Ab You Like It,” given in the first term and who enjoyed the concert last Saturday, will I am sure feel that Miss Miller has done excellent work in draamtie art.

“Very fine original work, poetry, essays, etc., have been produced this year in the Secondary School, but unfortunately lack of funds and perhaps lack of interest »n the part of those who have helped have prevented the publication of the school magazine. This is a definite lose to the life of the school. lam very proud of the diversity of talent shown by mv girls. “Much good work has been done by Miss I. M. Williams, who holds the Diploma of Home Science. I hope the results of the examination will reward her for her hard work. The work done In her dressmaking classes is a credit to both teacher and pupils. The classes were smaller this year but the work is of a very high standard. VvT Bnl X th ha " had of Standard HL—Form IL, a very difficult task. Children, alas! are not so young as they were and at this stage of their lives they are greater problems perhaps than at any other time. Hero as elsewhere the teacher needs all tdie elp parents should give, for without, the eo-operation of parents and definite home influence, the task of training and teaching is impossible. The out doorsketching and all the handicrafts. U “ 2* «-* Department ’ .HP. , r Miss Smith’s direction. Tho ofi??‘vn° f r° rk Showe,i "omething o**he skill and patience of the teacher • nfl pupils.