GIRLS' COLLEGE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 13 December 1912, Page 2

GIRLS' COLLEGE.

The annual distribution of prizes in -connection with the Wanganui Girls' was held last evening, the commodious Assembly Hall accommodating .a large number of students, parents -and friends.

The chair was occupied by Mr. F. Pirani, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Girls' College. In addiction to the members of the College staff, there were present on the platform ;Messrs, F. M. Spurdle, G. BC Braik, Carson, and W. J. Car-son. In opening the proceedings, Mr. Pirani said it gave him great pleasure to again be pi-esent at the. prize-giving ■ceremony. It would be ridiculous for .anyone to say he was not pro'td of such an institution .as the Waugsutui Girls' College. Year by year w*cc se-fn :signs of .progress made througho it tie College. He had no doubt that r-<;xt .year Miss Cruickshank would have something in store even better than in pa-t years. Mr. Pirani then- concluded by welcoming Professor • Hewitson, who was a practical educationalist.

'Miss Cruickshank, Principal of the 'College, then read her annual report, which will be found'in another column. 3Vlr. Pirani then called upon Professor Hewitson to present the- prizes. In *doing so the Professor made a delightful speech. In contradistinction to many of his predecessors in a similar ■capacity, he dieT not deliver an address -suitable mainly for the older- members -of the audience. Instead, he adapted ..his words to the pupils, and he did so in such a fashion that, while home truths were thrust home, he kept his hearers in hearty good humour. The Professor's speech would be spoiled by *cold print, .but it will undoubtedly linger long in the memory of those who "heard it. His Inain theme was the •supreme importance or service. One ■could; not be of use unless .be was pre-

•pared to serve. So soon as one ceased to serve, he ceased io be of use, in the "world. Service coufd only follow obedience^ which was of two kinds. Obedience from love was the obedience from -within. That kept one singing all the time. Obedience from force never gave

aiiy pleasure. The stars that shone in the sky sang of their work. The great^ big stars went booming through space," and the smaller stars went more swiftly ■and with a higher note. They all made one grand anthem to their Creator. "That-was the Professor's message to the - pupils. He hoped they -would have a very happy holiday, but it would not he happy if tHey considered only their own pleasure. If they were going to be servants to their mothers and fathers and obey them ißecause .they loved theni. they -would sing at their work, ■and their holiday would <be one* long round of enjoyment!' Professor He>witsaji then distributed ~fche prizes according to the following^ prize list: — ___ . ATHLETICS. ...... Iteniiis.—(Beginners' Singles, {R. Bi£ke. Bandkfaip Singles, E. Beamish. Handicap Doubles, O. Bettfc, M. Knight. ChlampionsMp Singles, E. Beamuish. sSfpeeiai priz€ts awarded iby 'Miss iFraseir and Miss ■Mclntosh: D. Ingram, M. MoGire.gor. ' - . iSwimminigj.—Chanrpioai (Medial 'and Mrs iSaunders' Cup), T. Bain. Medallions: S. Duiejan, V. Wilding, M. •Childs/H. McKay, M. Knig&t, I. Perrett. Certificates: I. Perrett, V. Dickie. R. Purser. . MUSIC. s Pianoforte.—^Primary: F. Guest, JE. • Braik. Elementary: H. Bowaiter, R. Richardson, M. Harre. Lower Davision: R. Caailfcon, F. Tolley. Higher Division: D. Martin. Intetr.med.iate: 11.I1. Twigg. Advanced :M. Childs. A.T.C.L Grade: D. Patterson. ' &&.- .:• " ■

ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING

Violin.—M. McGregor, M. Barclay (Miss Price's prizes). Theory of Music: N. Pratt, H. Bur•gess, H. Reynolds. v Singing: B. Hare. SPECIAL PRIZES.

House. —G. Kime (Mrs Russell's prize) R. Reynolds, R. Caultom (flflDra Coomibs' prizes), P. Oman (Mr Denton's prize). General Excellence in Cookery ~ and Dressmaking.—P. McLean (Mr CBjristie's bawl).

General Progress.—J. Dunn, E. Chapman, C. Patterson, R. Purser, M. Kidd, G. Duncan, J. MoNiven (Mrs lOoomfbs' prize), M. McCully (Mr M. Russell's prize).

Excellence in Grammar, V.A.: (iMisa Jardino's prize), G. Kime

Special Drawing (Mr Sefaiward's prizes): C. Williams, .M. Greenwood. Sewing: R. Hanasay, B. Baddeley, G. Ward.

Cutting-Out: F. Munro. .;, Dressmaking.—E. Dufaur, H. McLean, M. MilTward, E. Rome, M. McKelvie (Mr Denton?s prize). Art Needlework.—J. Dacrragh, Cookery.—J. Okey, E. Beamish, E. Dunlop, D. Floekifcon. -

Home Science.—H. Bett. .Hygiene.—F. Brookiield: '• Oommercia.r "Work.—N. Ptratt, E. Boyne, 18. IJojm. / Drawing—R Reynolds, S. Harding, H Hare.

Painting.--.-A. Bi-bby (Mr Seaw&rd's pr.Mi

Elociitkm.--F. Irookneld, L. McKay an.l G. Sp;nc<3cr (Mrs [Ramsay's priz-

AufcJmipt.;o.--Jl.. S. Bates, D. Boyd, M thinU'h ; j: ! . D. McFarlame; IV.C. h. Danlop ; TV H , IS. Coombs; IV.A., If- JS l™*7> V 1- R- Horseleyj V.A. O. Ohnstie. ' '

Mathematics.,—lV., F. Tolley: V.C L Treadwell, E. Warnock; T. 8., M. -s dkm; V.A., Ji. Fexens. English.—ll., M. Anderson, D. SaT^r.: 0- McFarlane. M. Gibh: H.C P. Oman, M. Knight, R. Caul! ton ; JV.B,M. Millward,Marjorie McGregor; J. Darragh; IV.A,, F. Tolley. VR Mey^T VC ' Bi bby '- G- <2ftr«Sj •d- V* M'» Hor"er' M. Hernngshaw, D. ?' rd ' -^V M- Adkin > E- Bspincr, F. Parker; VI., A. Borrie, P. JuU. ' - French.— IV.B. r A. Rowe; IVA., F. eyV% B£ an£ el}> S Pe«al D. Ash,well; V.C.. D. Bird; V.8.. B. Read: | V.A., G. Kime; VI., E. Bell. • Ge™anr—Miaaie, M. Treadwell; Junior, B. McFarlane.

_Latin.—lV., E. Arnold; V.C., L Treadwell; V.8., E. Espiner; V.A. G Kime. .

Prefects.—G. Kime, P. Jull, B McFarlane, M. Adkin, D. Christie, P. McLean, R. Reynolds. Special Prize (Old Girls' Prize).— General excellence, G. Hammond. Special iPrize (Miss Fraser's Prize) — Dux of Home Course, Florence Brook-

Proximo Accessit to Dux (Miss Alexander's Prize).—Janet Hare. Dux (Board of Governors' Gold Medal).—Helen McDonald. , Mr. Pirani then called upon Mr. Gilbert Carson, to whose efforts was due in a large measure the establishment of the College, to make a,1 lew remarks. Mr. Carson gave a very happy speech, reminiscent of the early days of the College.

After 'Mr. Pirani Ivad' expressed thanks to Mrs. Boyd and Miss Grilchrist for their work as matron and assistant matron respectively, the usual votes of thanks were carried, cheers were given for the teachers-(an extra one for Miss Currie. who leaves for England to-day), the school song was sung, and the' proceedings ended.

ANNUAL REPORT, 1912.

To the Chairman", Board of Governors; Wanganui Girls' College, Sir, —I have the honour to present, the twenty-second annual report of this College. During the three terms the numbers in attendance have been 194, 189, 186; of these 97, 90, 88 have been boarders. A few pupils come for special subjects such as music or drawing, but the school as a whole takes the complete English course, comprising Arithmetic, Literature, Grammar,. Composition, History, Geography, Physiology and one foreign language,, French. Beyond this.foundation girls may elect one of two courses, that leading to a University Degree, or another more general one, which for want of a better name I have called the Home Education Course, including plain sewing, cuttihg-out, dressmaking, cookery, science, hygiene, drawing, elocution, and singing. This course is modified considerably for girls who wish to devote a good deal of time*to music, drawing or for other good reasons. It does not claim to be perfect; but, as more than half the pupils prefer to take it up, it deserves all the thought and experiment oiie can give for its better working out. In this, one feels the wisdom of making haste slowly. As someone has put it, " we do not want a practical education instead of a liberal, but a liberal through a practical." It is in the liberalising of the practical that the difficulty conies in, —in arranging a course that is not merely a repetition year by year of the same practical operations, but progresses step by" step towards a definite goal. So far, our sewing passes from plain handsewing to the cutting-out of garments, simple machine work and dressmaking; Cookery from simple dishes with some explanation of the general principles involved, to .more elaborate efforts, ending in a short course of invalid cookery; Science from the general basis of physiology, treated as far as possible practically, through a simple study of the plant life round about us, to a higher course, conducted by a lady who has qualfied in medicine, dealing, with nursing, first aid, and the general laws of health, so bringing to a practical foous all knowledge bearing on the maintenance of human life at its best. Much here remains to be done with fuller knowledge and experience. I am glad to find that the University now offers bursaries for the encouragement of those prepared to. pursue this line of study. At present, 70 girls take cookery, 86 cutting-out and dressmaking, and 54 science and hygiene. Most of ihese also take drawing in its various branches, under Mr. Seaward and Miss Browne, proceeding from freehand, model, and simple studies in -flowers to more advanced work "in shading and.colour. One pupil was awarded first prize at the Palmerston North Show for a set of studies of birds and small animals. But I should like to see more of the girls \\*ho take this general course, those with the best intellectual powers. * keeping pace with the University-girls in their English work right through the highest form. One would wish to see girls . prepared to grasp'later the realities of life not only with hands fine yet capable, but also with minds stimulated by some knowledge of life's infinite complexity and hearts subdued by some sense of their own responsibilities towards it. lam glad that

some girls do get the breadth of outlook that comes from carrying their studies thus far. I would encourage more to do so, specializing them in Art, or Music or Languages, as might seem best. The honour of Dux has crowned so far only the University work; but I purpose to mark out, in some special way, if possible, the leader for this year on the other side.

The musical department under Mrs. Redwood is a large one; 88 learn the piano, graded as follows:—6 Primary, 17 Elementary, 24 Lower Division, 18 Higher Division, 15 Intermediate, 7 Advanced, 1 A.T.C.L., 2 the violin, while 6 take lessons in solo singing, though owing to the illness of Madame Briggs, none were prepared to take part in the concert. At tlu beginning of the year, pianos were thoroughly overhauled, and worn-out ones replaced by new. There are now 25. instruments available for practice besides the Grand reserved for concert and advanced work.

Besides this regular work, special activities have developed as opportunity offered. A class in basket-making has been steadily supported, beyond school hours, throughout the year; some work in wood-carving has been done; and a class in art needlework designed to occupy the leisure hours of the boarders has been most successful. '

Other still^more general educative agencies have been at work through the various ischool organisations. The Christian Union, under the leadership.of Miss Hasletty assisted by various members of the staff, has done good work in promoting Bible and Mission Study, in visiting at the Hospital, and in sewing during the winter term for the Orphanage. The Dramatic Club, under Miss Currie has studied appropriate literary extracts, the work culminating in the production q£ "The Bivals." The Camera Club, though formed late in the year, has encouraged among its members a very wholesome interest. All these* have had their share in fostering the spirit of comradeship, and the "Adastrian," edited by Miss Rockel, in addition to being an annual-record of the school's days, includes also interesting articles that bring the pa_st as well into happy touch with the present. '"

In a school with so many boarders the physical side of education demands careful attention, and could do, I am sure, with still more thought. At present, during the summer months, tennis and croquet are optional, and swimming compulsory, . with hockey, and physical exercises and dancing in the winter, while 'boarders have their regular daily walks with occasional longer tramps on Saturdays and holidays. So far, for swim- * ming, the season has been most unpropitious, and very little will have been done by the end. of the year. The health and attendance ,of the Sejiool have been affected considerably by various epidemics, but the boarders, happily, almost escaped entirely, a niild outbreak of chicken-pox towards the end of the second term being stamped out by closing the School a week earlier and allowing a vacation of three weeks instead of two. Otherwise, with the exception of a recent case of pneumonia, there has been little cause for serious anxiety/ though, at intervals, several girls have had to give up school under doctor's orders; a really unhealthy girl gets little good herself from school life, and is-a source of danger, , in the way of being ready to catch anything contagious, to the whole household. - .' v. • The school building has, however, been enlarged by tile addition of two sitting-rooms and a wing of new cubicles, where a.'sickroom is always ready for the isolation of any case at all suspicious, and minor ailments get careful attention at "the. hands of Mrs. Boyd and Miss Gilciirist. Candidates have been entered as'usual for various examinations. The following are the results :— University Pegree:—-Dr McLean Ist Section B.A. 2nd Terms:—G. Hammond, J. Hare, E. Bell. Ist Terms:—A." Borrie. Partial C:—X. Anthony. Matriculation:—P. Jull. Senior Board Scholarships:—-M.Adkin, E. Espinerj E. Clarke, D. Christie, G. Kime. . Board of Governors' Scholarships:—T. Bain, E. Burnett, D. Martin, M. Martin, J. McNiven, B. Read. ' Civil Service:—E. Chapman, O. Davey_-F. Hunger, M. Kernahan, C. Tingey, M. Mudford. ■ - ■ MUSIC. Advanced (4). —M. Childs, E. Dufaur, D. Varaey, C. Dickie. Intermediate (7). —S. Harding, F. Munro, E. Heenan, E. Rowe, A. Rowe, F. Twigg, R. Reynolds. ' Higher Division (7). —N. Pratt, E.J^lihton, D. FlQCkton, G. Spindeleri . D. Martin, K. Piper, J. McDougal. Lower Division (12).— R. Caulton, J. Darragh, H. Burgess, M. Mason, R. Hbrseley, M. Martin, B. Hare, E. Beamish, Mj. McGregor, R. Lundius, M, Knight, F. Tolley. Elementary (7). —H. Bowater (Distinction), M. Hare, M. Anderson, E. Lambert, S. Bates, O.rWard, R. Richardson. Primary (2).— F. Guest, E.Braik.'1 ' In addition 22 passed the Theory Examination. .With regard to examinations, much can be said and has been said both for and against them. My experience is that everything depends upon the pupil. One can easily see the ill. effects of undue pressure. The ill effects of lack of incentive are less noticeable to the tinpractised eye. But they exist. One has only to see the improvement sometimes made in music and other classes under the- stimulus of a definite aim to know that there are to this question, as to others, two sides. There,:* too, it behoves a parent with the permanent interest of a child at heart, to look sometimes, in deciding on the wisest course to be followed beyond the immature experience of-that child. This ends my record of the year's work. Yet much remains untold. It seems almost superfluous to point out the constant «• training in disposition, manner, and character that goes on unceasingly where so many are turned out. from the warmer, sometimes hot-house atmosphere of home life, to face the larger, more impartial, colder conditions of school —to gain thereby, a truer sense of proportion, a stronger self-reliance, a larger development of power and of sympathy/ and to learn that there is need of all that each can give for the best life of the whole. This spirit of happiness, on the part of the" girls themselves, has, time and again, lightened my work greatly, while the efforts of the staff—scholastic and domestic—have evidenced unstinted devotion to the welfare of the School and are deserving of. my fullest acknowledgment here. We all see possibilities of doing the same work better, in a more efficient, more educative way, to the end that every girl who passes through this College should be not only good, but gooS for something. Miss J. Knapp, 8.A., returns at the beginning of the year from hir trip to the homeland; Miss Currie, M.A., goes now on a similar visit; the School will reap future benefit from the experience thus-gained. Miss A. Haslett, 8.A., has filled conscientiously the temporary gap, and some further readjustment will be necessary at the present time. Mr. Richardson has succeeded Mr. Penh all as teacher of swimming. "* I have to thank the following donors of prizes:—Miss Fraser, Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Coombs, Mrs. Jardinfe, 'Miss Alexander, Miss Jardine, Mr. Seaward, the many who at deferent times have been good enough to interest themselves in our work, as well as the Board and their Secretary for all their help and consideration. I am, ■ • . • Yours faithfully,. CHRISTINE M. CRUICKSHANK.