MAORI GIRLS’ COLLEGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 9

MAORI GIRLS’ COLLEGE

PRIZE-GIVING AND SPEECHES The closure was applied to the 1937 school year at the Maori Girls’ College on Wednesday afternoon, when, in the presence of a large gathering of pupils and friends, the annual prize-giving ceremony anil speeches look place. The’assemblage was seated on chairs and forms on the grass tennis courts, over which were hung large awnings to hid the hot sun. At the official table were Miss E. M. Kinross (principal), Rev. John Hubbard (Palmerston North), moderator or the Wanganui Prebytery, and Rev. T. H. Burton (chairman). Included among the visiting clergymen were Revs. A. C. McLean (Wanganui), A. Dixon (Feilding), Mackey (Bulls), A. Norrie (Westmere), Wait (Turakina) and W. B. Cuming ! (Methodist minister, Marton). Also present were Sister Anna Kirkwood (travelling secretary of Y.W.P.8.C.U.) and Miss Allan (youth worker) who are on their \>ay to attend the summer conference at Wanganui. The proceedings opened with the hymn sung by the pupils of the college, “Fierce Raged The Tempest,’’ followed by the “Angelus.” Mr. Burton then led in prayer. The chairman then extended a welcome to all visitors and referred to the good work that had been done and the wonderful spirit that was evidenced at the college, not only among the pupils, but also between pupils and teacher. The college girls then entertained with a half-hour musical programme which included ppi dances, action songs, popular melodies and recitations. Principal’s Report The principal then read her report: This year can in many ways be regarded as one of the happiest in the history of the school, but there has been shadow as well as sunshine, and we would conuw nee this report with aa acknowledgment of what we owe zs >he late Rcrv. ?. Mclvor. Ever since ths school has i ten in Marton, Mr. Mclvor had been chairman of the local committee and we valued his advice and his interest in all the activities of the school very much indeed. He has been greatly missed from amongst us. Then also last year in the death of Mrs. Bartlett the school lost a sincere and generous Christian friend. Mrs. Bartlett had also been a member of the local committee since its inception and one who always took a ptactical and kindly interest in the welfare of the school. With the passing of these two staunch friends Turakina has suffered a distinct loss. Roll.—Our roll numoei in the first term was 41, and in the second 40. At the beginning of the year we were adi vised by the Education Department of I an additional number of Government I scholarships to be awarded to the I school. Of the present roll of 40 I girls, 15 are holders of Government I scholarships, one of these being the | holder of a special nursing scholarship. There is every reason to be- | lieve that next year there will be an I even larger proportion of Government I scholarship holders. We have been | pleased to admit among our numbers i this year a girl from Niue Island, our I first pupil from this island. Our other i pupils represent Taranaki, Hawke’s : Bay, North Auckland, Bay of Plenty. ! Waikato, Lake Taupo, Wanganui and : .iistricts nearer home. ; Staff.—l am glad to report that the i personnel of the staff remains unal- ! tered, and I would gratefully acknow- | ledge the willing service of every member of the staff, to ensure the welfare of the girls.

Health.—The health of the girls throughout the year has best excellent. While at all times evervthing has been done to safeguard the health of the pupils, the missions committee of our church last year decided to appoint a medical officer to the school. Under this arrangement Dr. Dick has regularly visited us and has examinee every girl at the beginning of each term. In this way everything possible is being done to ensure the good health of every girl admitted to the school, and we are confident that for many Maori girls their time spent at Turakina has meant the building up and establishing of sound health. Courses of Instruction.—The school

continues to provide a sound domestic training for every girl. Even thcastaking an academic course receive thorough domestic training as well. We are indebted to Miss Richmond, the Plunket nurse, for her lectures on infant welfare. Towards the end of last year we set aside one weed lor an intensive study of Ms.ori crafts. Mrs. Laughton and Mrs. Hawera, both of Taupo, were gooiT enough to come and give instruction in flax work and taniko work. As a result the girls have this year been able to continue with the taniko work and now they nearly all know something of this interesting craft of their ancestors —a craft which at the beginning of last year not one girl in the school had any working knowledge of. Our two senior girls who left test year received appointments as teachers in native schools under the Education Department. We welcome this opportunity offered to suitable Maori girls to enter the native schools’ service. The introduction of nursing scholarships also opens up another valuable avenue of service. One of our ex-pupils this year commenced a course of training in the dental clinic in Wellington—she will be the first of our girls to train as a dental nurse. Nine girls this year sat for the intermediate examination and some of these hope to continue their studies to enable them to take the Training ColIge entrance examination. We look forward with eagerness to the day when mathematics is eliminated as a compulsory subject for girls sitting for this examination.

General. —Our school has always enjoyed the friendly interest of local Bible class girls, and among them the girls have made many real friends. This must surely be greatly to the benefit of both pakeha and Maori girls and should help towards a very real understanding between the two races. We thank the Bible class leaders for various opportunities made for social intercourse between out girls and the Bible class girls. Every year also we are glad of this opportunity to acknowledge our great indebtedness to the ladies of the Wanganui P.A., and very .particularly of the local P.W.M.U. The practical interest of all these many friend;: and the invaluable service of the local committee has been an inspiration as well as a great encouragement to both teacher and pupils. In acknowledging the kindness of our pakeha friends we would not omit also the generosity of the Maori parents, many of whom have made most liberal gifts of produce and »aken the trouble to send these gifts in some cases from great distances. This report will conclude with a word to the girls reminding them that while all the training they receive is valuable, the most valuable is the training in Christian living. Those who cling to their Christian ideals will do most for the Hiappiness and well-being of their race. The list of prizes is as follows: Class Prizes School Dux (gold medallist).—Grace Taka and Ist in Form V. 2nd Form V.—Priscilla Nepia. Form IV.—Charlotte Tawhi 1, Jean Grace and Polly Potaka equal 2. Form Hl.—Rita Rangi 1, Merfe Bartlett 2. Form IL—Moewai Oates 1, Riuto'io Joseph 1. Form I.—Eneti Te Kauru 1, Mihikorama Piko 2. House Prizfis House Dux (gold medallist).—Maari Wereta. Second house prize: Charlotte Tawhi. Junior House Dux (silver medallist).—Beatrice McLean. Second junior house: Moewai Oates. Scripture Prizes Senior.—Charlotte Tawhi 1, Millie Mete Kingi 2. Intermediate.—Leah Matthews 1, Te | Peke Wiperi 2. Junior.—Lolipati Vatoio 1, Moewai Oates 2. Sewing Prizes Senior.—Charlotte Tawhi 1, Jean Grace 2. Intermediate.—Perata Makamaka 1, Rita Rangi 2. Junior.—Lolipati Vatolo 1, Rangimoehau Haeata 2. Special Prize.—Most improvement in sewing: Polly Potaka. Cooking Prizes Senior: Horiana Mataira 1, Maari Wereta 2. Intermediate: Mateohorere Tukaki 1, Te Pekc Wipea 2. Junior: Ruitoto Joseph 1, Rangimoehau Haeata 2. Special Prizes Arts and Crafts—Taniko work: Hilda Manahi. Vellum work: Horiana Mataira. Music.—Senior: Horiana Mataira. Junior: Rangi Muriwai 1, Lbuisa Mataira and Agnes Grace, equal, 2. Helpfulness: Rangimoehan Haeata. Gardening: Rangi Muriwai. Poultry-keeping: Millie Metekingi. The singing of (he Doxology and Ihe pronouncing of the Benediction hy |he chairman brought the ceremony to a close. Afternoon tea was then served in the school, after which friends strolled around the grounds and through the building.