ST. MATTHEW’S COLLEGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 December 1927, Page 5

ST. MATTHEW’S COLLEGE.

ANNUAL BREAK-UP. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with St. 'Matthew’s Collegiate Schools for Girls took place this morning at the school. Mr A. 0. Major (chairman of the Board of Trustees) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of parents and friends. Mr Major referred to the necessity of building a new school block as the increased number of pupils offering compelled such accommodation being provided, which ho hoped would be proceeded with and ready for the opening of the new term. Miss Lazarus, in the course of her annual report, stated: — Kindergarten and Transition Classes. —ln this Department the Kindergarten proper is very small as there are only ,3 children under 3, but the transition class and Standard 1. brings the numbers to 19. Since Miss Hind left at the end of the Ist. term, Miss Cairns has had charge and under her care the pupils have made very satisfactory progress. They had a happy little Christmas party on the 2nd of this month to which they invited their parents and friends. Lower School. —Standards 11. to IV (b) numbering 33 are at present taught together. This year very special attention has been given to this Department. The children here are most responsive, very eager and industrious and had it not been for the usual childish ailments which prevented full attendance, the result would have been exceptional. Their conduct is excellent and their attitude to their work and school most promising. In awarding the Pauline Mason prize I experienced much difficulty as both work and conduct were so even throughout the classes. A form prizo would have been the most suitable reward —a picture for their form room —which each child had helped to earn. Upper Primary.—There are 36 pupils in Standards IV (a) to VI. Next year as IV. (a) and IV. (b) will be a large class, Standards V'. and VI. will probably be taught in their own form room. I should like to point out the fact that this school is growing up fast; that is to say, that the upper classes containing the elder girls are far outnumbering the juniors. All classes are going quickly forward and each child works at her own pace, the duller ones are not bewildered and the smarter are not bored. As there is a rumour abroad that this is a preparatory school only, and that girls must leave us at the age of 14 and so complete their school life elsewhere. I would emphasise the fact of the school’s progress. At present there are in this school 29 girls above Standard YI. In the beginning of 1924, there was no Standard Y 4. and no girls fit for Standard V. The work has been well up to standard in the Upper Primary School. In Standard VL the 14 girls who sat for Proficiency passed; 3 obtaining over SO per cent., 3 over 73 per cent, and of the remainder most had marks to spare. The following extracts from the inspectors’ report show that we arc holding our own. “The general standard of work is very good. The cultural side of education is well catered for, specialist teachers being employed for singing, art work, and eurhythmies. Fine work is being done in these subjects. Order discipline and tone are excellent.”

ne have this year sent in candidates for junior and senior national and matriculation, and though our girls are somewhat immature we hope some may succeed. There seems to be an idea in the minds of some people that matriculation is an end in itself. 1 should like to explain that a girl who. rannot reach matriculation standard must, be very dull, as matriculation is simply an entrance to some higher branch of study, in our private registered schools it is not necessary to sit for the examination, but if the work is done to the required standard, and a sound foundation laid, a girl may develop any special gift taking the course for the diploma. For this such subjects as the following may be taken: Literature, French, history, geography, home science, comprising care of health in girlhood and womanhood, care of a baby, practical work in cookery, housewifery, laundry work, dressmaking, music in all its branches; art, original illustration of books, poems, etc., but all schools of any standing are agreed that a girl must have some little general education to about matriculation standard 'before she specialises. I often wish that parents would consult me about their children’s education., instead of finding fault with the school and its methods. •>f course, a girl seldom knows what she wants, but. she should not be allow'd to begin a subject and drop it directly a difficulty appears; for as I have said, many times, a child learns to delight in the overcoming of difficulties. But, you will ask, which of the subjects referred to arc we prepared to teach? Already we have excellent teachers of music, musical appreciation, singing, art, etc., and science—we also have studious pupils. Rev. W. Bullock stressed the advantages offered for educational facilities provided at St. Matthew’s School, and also spoke of the need of a new school block, advocating the consideration being given to some of the class rooms being built on the open air system which has recently been decided upon by the County officials in Derby (Lugland).

Dr. A. Husking mentioned that it was a good omen that, on the day of the breaking up ceremony, work had been commenced on the preparation of the new sports- ground where it was hoped the next sports would be held. He threw out the suggestion that possibly a dozen parents may feel disposed to contribute the cost of a swimming bath in the school grounds, thereby making it a complete

entity for the school's outdoor activities. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the principal (Miss Lazarus) and staff for their services during the year, and to Mrs L. B. Maunsell for presenting the prizes. .V number of enjoyable vocal items were given by the children under Mrs J. 11. Fieldhouse. PRIZE-WINNERS. SECONDARY. Rutherford Prize. —Mary Simmers. Form Prize, Ist year. —Penelope Simmers. Every term .86 per cent. Sewing Prize. —Margaret Coom. Highly commended. —Beatrice Beetham. Music certificate (honours). —Bernardino Major. Special mention and prizes.—Alyson Webb. —Mary Logan. Special Prizo (Mr Pither’s). —Kalmia Fairchild. Elocution Prize (most improvement). —lsobel Barton. No first prize—so many worthy of it. SCRIPTURE PRIZES. Dorothy Clarke (Senior). Mollio Iveson (Junior). UPPER PRIMARY AND SEWING. Neatest Set of Exercise Books. — •Constance Cordery. YI. Sewing prize.—Constance Cordcry. V, Sewing Prize. —Isobel Barton. IV. Sewing Prize. —Lois Hosking. IV (b), 111. Sewing Prizes. —Beverley Yallance. Highly Commended. —Josephine Rutherford, Barbara Kebbell, Nesta Woodhouse. LOWER SCHOOL. Pauline Mason, Valerie Rishworth. General Knowledge.—Veda Rutherford. Mrs Woodhouse's Prize. —Daphne Schaefer 111. and IV., top all year. Award —Proficiency Certificates. PRIZE WINNERS. SPORTS. Senior Championship Cup.—Alyson Webb; runner-up, Veda Rutherford. Junior Cup. —Margaret Mace; run-ner-up, Margaret Pearce. POINTS PRIZES. Senior, most points.—Veda Rutherford; runner-up, Mary Durra 1. One point between. Junior, most points.—Poggv Sellar; runner-up, Mary Logan. Senior Tennis Champion C’up.—Eve Allen; runner-up, Truda Strouts. Junior.- —Suzanne Collins, cup; run-ner-up, Susie Michael. EIGHT SPORTS PRIZES. Kindergarten 4. —Bertram Bunny, tricycle; Jocelyn Betts, hopping; Rona Rutherford, crab; R. Rutherford, frog. PLACE IN CLASS. Form 1. S 3 per cent, Jocelyn Betts 1 81 per cent, Rona Rutherford 2 7U per cent, Nan Beetham 3 Standard 111. (b). Nora Robinson 3 Nan Rishworth and Barbara Barton 2 Nora Beetham . 3 Standard 111. (a). Elsa Engstrom 1 Mavis Taylor 2 Betty Bunny 3 Standard IV. Daphne Schaefer 1 Valerie Rishworth and Kirsty CamO cron Margaret Sutherland 3 MUSIC (Special Mention, 1927). Alyson Webb, Mary Simmers, Penelope Simmers, Jose Hosking, Lorna Blundell, Mary Logan, Hazel Rigg. Two students have outstanding merit even above the “.special mention” group. These two are Alyson Webb and Mary Logan. General Musical Ability.—B. Major, honours primary grade.