THE OTAGO GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue V, 3 August 1895, Page 122

THE OTAGO GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

THE Otago Girls’ High School has the honour, we believe, of being the first public High School for girls established in the Australasian colonies, if not south of the line. Credit for the first suggestion to establish a High School for girls in Dunedin is due to the »lago Daily Times. The Boys’ High School was opened on August 3rd, 1863, and a few days later a leader appeared in the Times advocating the founding of a similar school for girls. In the Provincial Council, on November 4th, 1864, Major Richardson moved a resolution, of which previous notice had been given by Mr W. H. Reynolds (1) ‘ That it is expedient to give encouragement to the education of girls beyond that afforded by the ordinary district schools ; (2) that the Government be requested to submit to the House during the next session some scheme by which this result could be attained. Nothing further, however, was done in the matter until June, 1869, when on the motion of Mr J. L. Gillies it was resolved by the Provincial Council : ‘That the Government be requested

to appoint an honorary Commission to determine the best scheme and site for a High School, and to consider whether it is expedient that provision should be made in the same building for the teaching of girls as well as boys.’ The commission consisted of the following members : —The Rev. Dr. Stuart (chairman), Mr Justice Ward, the Hon. F. D. Bell, and the following members of the provincial Council : —Messrs Reynolds, Turnbull, Mclndoe, McLean, Reid, Haggitt, Duncan, Gillies, and Mouat. The committee was assisted in its deliberations by the recommendations of a committee of ladies who took an interest in the matter, of which committee the late Mrs E. B. Cargill was president and Miss Dalrymple secretary. The Commission recommended that the rector’s residence at the boarding establishment of the Boys’ High School should be removed elsewhere, and that the rooms vacated, together with whatever additional 'accommodation might be found necessary, should be assigned as a High School and boardinghouse for girls. Accordingly at the end of 1870 the school was opened under the able management of Mrs M. Gordon Burn, who had been appointed to the position of principal. Mrs Burn had already distinguished herself as a teacher, having, before her appointment to the Dunedin High School, occupied the position of Lady Superintendent of the Geelong Girls’ College. Mrs Burn continued to manage the school with great ability and success for fifteen years, retaining during that time the entire confidence of the governing body. The school was opened at the beginning of 1871 with a roll of 78 pupils. By the end of the quarter there were 102 in attendance. At the end of the year there were 130011 the roll, including t 6 boarders, and it was found necessary to provide further class-room and boardinghouse accommodation.

At first the masters of the Boys’ High School gave lessons to the senior classes of the Girls’ High School ;

but in the beginning of 1873 it was found advisable to discontinue this arrangement, and transfer the services of Mr Pope (now Inspector of Native Schools) wholly to the girls’ school. In 1874 the attendance had increased to 155, and the Board was obliged to make considerable additions to the building.

In 1876, owing to the large increase in the numbers of the school, Mrs Burn, finding the combined duties of principal of the school and head of the boarding establishment too great a strain upon her strength, asked the Board to relieve her of the boarding house so that she might give all her energies to superintendence of the school. Mrs Burn accordingly ceased to reside on the school premises, and Mrs Martin was put in charge of the boarding school. This arrangement lasted for two years, but in 1878 Mrs Burn resumed her place as the head of the boarding establishment.

In 1877. under the ‘ High Schools Act,’ the two Dunedin High Schools received considerable land endowments and were removed from the control of the Education Board and placed under the charge of a board of governors, consisting of seven members —two nominated

annually by the Government, two by the Otago University Council, two by the Education Board, whilst the seventh should be the Mayor of Dunedin for the time being. The Reverend Donald McNaughton Stuart was elected first chairman of the new board, and was reappointed every year till his death early in 1894. Dr. Stuart, who had taken an active part in its inception, was the warmest friend of the school, and never ceased to manifest, even when prostrated by mortal sickness, his warm interest in its welfare. Another consistently kind and helpful friend of the Girls’ High School was Mr John Hislop, L.L.D. — first the able Secretary of the Otago Education Board, and subsequently the equally able Secretary of Education in Wellington. Dr. Hislop in his official capacity as secretary of the Board of Education had a considerable part in establishing the school. His connection with the Otago Girls’ High School was temporarily severed when the school ceased to be governed by the Education Board, and when Dr. Hislop himself was transferred to a more honourable and onerous position in Wellington ; but on his retirement from public life and return to Dunedin he again for some years did the school service as a member of the governing body. Two other names ought also to be honourably mentioned in connection with the government of this school—those of Dr. Macgregor, now Inspector-General of Hospitals and Lunatic Asylums, and of Professor John Shand, L.L.D., Professor of Physics in the Otago University. Both of these gentlemen as members of the governing body were distinguished by their large and liberal views on Secondary Education, and by their enthusiasm in the service of the High Schools. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds and the late Mr James Fulton were also for many years members of the governing body and were active in the interests of the schools.

In 1883 Miss J. J. McKean was appointed at Home as vice-principal and mistress of mathematics to assist Mrs Burn, whose strength was beginning to feel the strain of her weighty and responsible duties, to the performance of which she brought so much capable energy and zeal. Miss McKean continued to occupy this position on the staff of the school till the end of last year, when, to the regret of all concerned with the school, she retired. On receiving her letter of resignation the Board of Governors passed a resolution affirming its recognition of the great Value of Miss McKean’s services.

In 1884 Mrs Burn found herself obliged, from the state of her health, to resign her position as principal and the Board of Governors invited Mr Alex. Wilson, M.A., to accept the rectorship of the school. Mr Wilson, before becoming rector of the Girls’ High School, had been for some years English master in the Boys’ High School, and had acted as rector in that school during the temporary absence of Dr. Macdonald in 1884. At the same time Miss K. C. Bathgate was put in charge of the boarding establishment, which position

she occupied till 1890, when, owing to failing health she resigned, and was succeeded by Mrs E. R. Mackay. On the death of Dr. Stuart in May, 1894, the Rev. A. R. Fitchett (now Dean of Dunedin) was elected chairman of the Board, a position he still occupies. Dean Fitchett has been a member of the Board of Governors continuously since 1885, and has always manifested a warm interest in the condition of both schools. The other members of the Board for the present year are Messrs Geo. Gray Russell, J. R. Sinclair, James Allen (M.H.R.), J. M. Fraser, Henry Clark, and His Worship the Mayor, Mr H. S. Fish. Mr Geo. Gray Russell is the hon. treasurer of the Board, and Mr Colin Macandrew is secretary.

When, in 1885, the Boys’ High School was shifted to a new building in Arthur Street, the building in Dowl-ing-street, formerly shared between boys and girls, was given over entirely to the girls. This change not only

gave additional class-room accommodation and the advantage of a large hall, but it secured what had formerly been much needed, an open and spacious playground, provided with a good fives court. The ex-pupils, club provided funds for forming two asphalted tennis courts, so that there is now every opportunity for healthful recreation. In addition to this there is at one side of the playground a large and well-equipped gymnasium ; and the instruction in gymnastics, under Mr John Hanna, has been for many years a characteristic feature of the school. Detached from the main building there is a science room, amply provided with the requisites of a chemical laboratory, and with dissecting microscopes and other apparatus for the teaching of botany. Mr J. M. Thomson, F.L.S., has been science master for many years—his connection with the staff being of longer duration than that of any other teacher in the school.

The art studio is also detached from the main building. It is divided into two rooms, one of which is devoted chiefly to class-teaching, whilst in the other more advanced pupils work at easels. The studio is roomy and well-lighted, and is provided with an exceptionally complete set of casts. The art-teaching of the school is under the charge of Miss F. M. Wimperis. The following, in addition to the rector, constitute the present teaching staff of the school : —Miss K. Browning (of Girton College), mathematics ; Miss F. M. Allan, M.A., Latin. French, and German ; Miss H. Alexander, B. English ; Mr G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., science Miss F. M. Wimperis, drawing; Miss E. E. Little and Miss M. Alves, assistants ; Madame Mueller and Miss J. C. Longford, music ; Mr J. Hanna, gymnastics. The total number of pupils enrolled in 1894 was 209 — 133 in the upper school, 51 in the lower, and 25 attending special classes. For the four quarters the numbers were respectively 193, 196, 193, and 187. The highest quarterly attendance reached was 198 in 1889. The course of study of this school is arranged so as to

enable those who rise from the lower classes to the Sixth Form to proceed to the higher work of the University. Of late years a very large number of girls have proceeded from the school to their degree in the New Zealand University, many of them with great distinction. The yearly honour lists of the Otago University are largely furnished by the names of pupils from the Otago Girls’ High School. The school has also obtained its full share of University Junior Scholarships. Credit for the success of the school in various directions is due not only to the efforts of the rector and his staff, but also to the admirable system of scholarships founded by the Otago Education Board. By means of these scholarships deserving children from the country districts are enabled to come into town and participate in the advantages offered by the High Schools. Some of the most distinguished pupils of the Otago Girls’ High School have been country girls whohave been assisted by the scholarships offered by the Board of Education. In addition to those scholarships offered by the Educa-

tion Board, a scholarship entitling the holder to free education at the High Schools is offered by the Board of Governors to each candidate for the Education Board scholarship, who, failing to win a scholarship, yet obtains 50 per cent, of the obtainable marks. A great many deserving pupils are enabled by this arrangement to take advantage of High School teaching. It is a very significant fact that the last eighteen duxes of the school, with one exception, have held Education Board scholarships, and the exception held a Board of Governors’ scholarship entitling the holder to free education at the school.

The ordinary subjects of instruction besides English, are mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, Latin, French, German, natural science (botany, chemistry, and physics), writing, drawing, needle-work cutting-out, and gymnastics. Special classes are organised for cookery and for dancing. Visiting teachers are engaged for instruction in music.

Pupils entering this school from the State schools are classified according to their attainments in English and arithmetic. Arrangements exist by which pupils who, up to the time of entering the school, have confined their attention exclusively to the work of the standards, may begin such secondary subjects as Higher English, Latin, French, mathematics, and science. At the commencement of each session a beginners’ class is formed for Latin and for French, and to any pupil who makes exceptional progress an opportunity is given later in the session of joining a more advanced division.

Reports are sent to parents at the end of each quarter to assist them in judging of the progress that has been made by their children during the quarter. The school is provided with a library containing a large number of works, and open to pupils on payment of a small annual subscription. Other institutions of the school are the Otago Girls' High School Magazine, published at the end of each quarter; the Dorcas Society, the members of which meet weekly to make clothing for poor children ; the Dux Society, which provides an annual prize for some subject determined by the Rector ; aud the Ex-High School Girls’ Club. This last is a Club formed by ladies who have had some connection with the school, either as pupils or as teachers. The Club has done much useful work in connection with the school, and, like the Dux Association, provides an annual prize. Mrs Borrows, formerly a member of the teaching staff, is president of the Club.

The school buildings occupy a central and convenient site in Dowling-street, within ten minutes’ walk of the railway station. The building, one of the oldest in Dunedin, was originally built as a Boys’ High School. It consists of a large central hall with class-rooms branching off on either side. As the school developed, additions were made to the main block, so that the

building is not by any means a model of school architecture.

Two full length oil portraits hang in the hall—one the protrait of the late Sir John Richardson, who took a conspicuous part in founding the school, the other of the late Dr. Stuart, first chairman of the Board of Governors. The photographs from which our reproductions are

made, were specially taken for this article by that very well-known Dunedin photographic artist, Mr Morris. They form a very beautiful and complete set of pictures, and reflect the highest credit on the Morris studio in George Street, Duned : n. New Zealand photographers can hold their own against the world.