GIRLS’ PROVINCIAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2754, 14 December 1871, Page 2

GIRLS’ PROVINCIAL SCHOOL.

Last evening, being the close of the first year of tbe Girls’ Prov.ncial School, readings, literary and dramatic, and music, vocal and instrumental, -were given by the pupils in the large hall of the High School, prior to the distribution of prizes. It was neatly decorated with evergreens, but their effect was lost through the crowded state of the room, which was densely filled with the parents and friends of the scholars. Considering the iiersistcnt effort for a series of years of Mr W. H. Reynolds, M.P.C., M.H.R., for the establishment of a High School for girls, we were glad to see him in the chair. He was introduced by Mr Hislop, Secretary to the Education Board, and in the course of his remarks alluded briefly to the history of the institution, saying— That the scheme was first proposed in 1864 by Miss Dalrymple, now of Port Chalmers, who had always taken deep interest in the education of girls. I’he Hon. Major Richardson and he supported the first petition in its favor ; and year by year and session after session of the Council they advocated the establishment of a school until the work was accomplished. Although doubts and fears of various sorts •were expressed before it was begun, he considered the success that had attended the first year of its being, was cause for gratulation. The exhibition may be very conveniently divided into three parts, which require very few general remarks. The first, for convenience, was vocal music by the school ; secondly, simultaneous readings, and recitations from select authors ; and thirdly, instrumental music. The vocal music consisted of concerted pieces, the “ Austrian Hymn,” “See our Oars,” “The Wreath,” “The Minstrel Maidens,” “The May Fly,” “ Maying,” and “ When shall we three meet again.” Our readers must not mistake : it was not the “ Witches’ Glee” from “ Macbeth,” but a very pretty sentimental theme, widely separated from the thunder, lightning, and rain of the weird sisters. As we do not consider these pieces sung Avere under professional training, we dismiss them w'iththe general remark that so long as a number of girls sing in tune and together, the music of their voices is always pleasant, although it may happen that they contrive to sing two parts only out of four, and sometimes not that. Perhaps next year ducts may be substituted for trios and quartets, unless a few fathers or ministers, or both, could he found to fill up the tenors and basses. Simultaneous reading is not so easy an acquirement as some would deem, It even requires more harmony of thought than chauufcing; because tbe intonation of the voice is not prescribed, and therefore there must he a common perception of the meaning of a passage, in order to secure correct and uniform enunciation of it. In this style “ King of the Wind,” “The Song of Steam,” and “Gray’s Bard,” were well given. We prefeircd “The Song of Steam,” perhaps chiefly as au exlpbjtion of genius in throwing a poetic halo around what is usually looked upon as a very dry subject. The reading from Add'son’s

“Cato,” in which five ladies took part, was well given. The rhetorical intonations proved that it was fully comprehended, and the pronunciation of the words was carefully correct. The instrumental music was not strictly a school affair, or rather it is divided between a resident governess, Miss Huie, and the visiting teachers, Miss Bell and Mr Lees. In commenting on this part of the exhibition . we consider we ought clearly to say that a teacher of music is often placed in exceptional circumstances ; for so much depends upon the age, experience, family surroundings and natural talent of the pupils. Some are badly taught before being put in efficient training, and habits arc acquired that years of careful tuition never efface. Some are taught too late in life and never acquire that facility of reading and execution which children who are early instructed attain to. Some are carefully superintended and kept' up to necessary practice at home, while others are left to forget the lessons they have received. We do not therefore consider degrees of proficiency a strict test of the care bestowed on teaching, although oth r things being equal it is a fair proof. Another point also is necessary to betaken into consideration in estimating musical acquirement the easy or difficult character of the composition, and lastly the nerve with which a young girl can undergo the ordeal of playing in public. The audience are usually good judges in the matter, and accepting their verdict, we should say through the applause bestowed, that “ Happy Memories,” by Miss Smith ; “ The Ivy Green,” by Miss H. Morse (for which an encore was loudly called), the fantasia from “Lucrezia Borgia,” by Miss Annie Burn; “Masaniello,” by Miss Allan; and a fan tasia from “Oberou,” by Miss Langwill, were the best received. The last named young lady plays with brilliancy and taste, and as will be seen by the prize list, was by three independent judges, awarded the prize offered by Miss Bell to her pupils, although Miss Morse’s playing, two years her junior, was brilliant, correct, and steady. The most difficult achievement of the evening was the quartett on two pianos, “ Les Diamans de la Couronue,” by four of Miss Bell’s pupils, varying in age from eleven to fifteen years. As we believe this is the first time it has been played in Dunedin the names of the young musicians should be recorded; they were Annie Burn, Helena Morse, Co a and Emmeline Langwill. Playing in concert is always a test of true musical attainments, and the precision with which the pi( co was given may be fairly estimated by the expression of a lady unacquainted with music, “ Why it sounds as if it was one piano.” We could not imagine a higher compliment to teacher and taught. We present the prize list as follows : - Upper Boom. flßS'f CLASS. Scripture History—lst prize, Miss Sopley ; 2nd, Misses Muir and Allan, equal. Modern History—lst prize, Miss Muir ; 2nd, Miss A. Collinson; 3rd, Miss B. Shand, Geography, and Physical Geography (presented by Mr J. H. Pope)—prize, Miss Shand and Muir, equal. Grammar and Composition (presented by Mr J. H. Pope)— Miss Shand. Botany and Physiology (presented by Mr J, H. Pope)— Miss Muir. Elementary Science (presented by Mr J. H. Pope)— Miss A. Allen. French —Ist prize, Miss Muir; 2nd, Miss Shand ; 3rd, Miss A. Park. German—Miss Muir. Chronology —lst prize, Misses Collinson and Muir ; 2nd, Miss Allen and Park. Mapping—lst prize, Miss M‘lndoe ; 2nd, Miss M. Smith ; 3rd, Miss A. Park. Writing—lst prize, Misses Muir and ollinson ; 2nd, Miss Langwill. Needlework—Miss Bella Miller. Arithmetic — Ist prize, Miss Flora Muir, Classwork—lst prize, Miss Agues Mackay; 2nd, Miss Agnes Park. SECOND CLASS. History—lst prize, Miss M'Neil; 2nd, Miss Brodic; 3rd, Misses Flannagan and Watt. Grammar and Composition—lst prize, Misses Duff and M'Neil; 2nd, Miss Flannagan ; 3rd, Miss Hislop. Geography—Miss A. Cairns. French—lst prize, Miss H. Cairns; 2nd, Miss A. Lees. Arithmetic—lst Division—lst prize, Miss M‘Neil; Miss Hislop. 2nd Division—Miss Mary Watson. Lower Room. FIRST DIVISION. English Class Wopk—lst prize, Miss Logan ; 2nd, Mias C. Carnegie; i|rd, Miss L. Sorley. History—lst prize, Miss Caraegie ; 2nd, Miss Levy ; 3rd, Miss A. Logan. Geography—lst prize, Miss Logan; 2nd, Miss Sorley ; 3rd, Miss Carnegie. Gra i)mar and Composition Misses Logan and L. Sorley, equal; 2nd, Miss Solomon ; 3rd, Miss Turnbull. Scripture—lst prize, Miss Levy; 2nd, Miss A. Wilson ; 3rd, Miss G. M‘ln tyre. Arithmetic—lst prize, Misses Turnbull and Cameron ; 2nd, Miss Bayley ; 3rd, Miss Kilgour. Writing—lst prize, Miss Charlotte Coote ; 2nd, Miss Grace MTntyre. French—lst ppize, Miss L. Sorley; 2nd, Miss A. Solomon; 3rd, Misses Coote and M. Levy, equal. Lower Room. SECOND CLASS. English Class Book—lst prize, Miss E. Little; 2nd, Misses S. Smith and J. Cairns, equal; 3rd, Miss Minnie Watson. Scripture—Prize, Miss E. Little. History—lst prize. Miss Jessie Cassels ; 2nd, Misses J, S. Smith and Watson, equal. Geography—lst prize, Mias E. Little ; 2nd, Miss S, Smith. Grammar and Composition-- Ist prize, Misses S. Smith and E. Little, equal; 2nd, Miss M. Watson. Arithmetic—Prize, Miss C. Little. French Prizes, Misses Little and J. Smith. Writing—Prize, Miss Cora Langwill. SPECIAL PRIZE LIS '. Special prizes were also given as follows : A very handsome book, presented by Messrs lleith and Wilkie, was awarded to Miss Muir, as the dux of the school. The same young lady canned off two books presented by Mr Stuart Hawthorne, Red or of the High School. Special prizes for music were given by Miss Bell and Miss Huie; Miss E. Langwill took the former, and Miss Emma Allen the latter prize. During the presentation of the prizes, there was considerable cheering as each recipient came for her award. Miss Hislop (for Mrs Burn) read the following I

MRS BURN’S REPORT. At the close of the first session of the Girls’ Provincial School, it may be interesting to the friends of the institution to know something of the work that has been done curing the year. It lias been my aim to impart to all the pupils the highest possible education, and with this object the same plan is carried out in all the classes. In the Junior Department this is necessarily done in a more rudimentary manner, but higher branches arc added as the pupils become qualified for them. In the youngest class, English Reading, .Spelling, Writing from Dictation, Grammar, Geography, History, Arithmetic, and Needlework are taught. Object Lessons are given once a week, and these form subjects for English Composition. The Second Class has the same course, from more advanced Text Books. The Third Class has lessons in Grammatical Analysis, Paraphrasing, and Physical Geography added to the above. In the Highest Class, a course of Elementary Physics and Botany has also been gone through. French is taughf throughout the entire school. There is also a German class, which will probably be more numerously attended next year. Written Examinations have been held quarterly, and an increasing satisfactory per-centage of required results has been obtained. Music lessons have been given to a very large proportion of the pupils by visiting teachers, and by a resident music governess. Lessons in drawing and class singing have bear given by visiting masters. During the past four or live months the pupils have had an opportunity of receiving lessons in gymnastics and calisthenics, from a highly accomplished teacher ; the use of the excellent gymnasium attached to the High School having been kindly given by the Rector fur this purpose. As is the case with every new undertaking, many difficulties have had to be encountered, but as all the teachers have had the interest of the school at heart, all such difficulties have for the most part been overcome. I desire to acknowledge in the warmest manner tha hearty co-operation of all my coadjutors, and the great assistance I have received from them. The additions to the school which are now in course of erection, will materially add to the comfort of the pupils and teachers, and will greatly facilitate the work of the school. The school opened in February with about 80 pupils. The attendance has been steadily on the increa-e, and now there are 130 names on the roll. Wc may add that, anxious to ascertain whether these prizes were well earned or not, we accepted the invitation of Mrs Burn to inspect the examination papers and work done by the pupils ; and were agreeably sur? prised to find that fip’ higher results had been reached than could have fairly been exj pected. There were Chronological Charts for which two special prizes were given by the Lady Principal. Of these there were two—one by Flora Muir, and the other by Margaret Collinson, that are remarkable, not only for arrangement, but for artistic ornamentation. The border of Miss Collinson’s is beautifully ornamented with carefully drawn tracery, which displays not only considerable artistic skill, but patient working out. The maps are numerous, and many of them beautifully drawn. They appear to be, as a rule, minutely correct. Much of the writing is beautiful—that is, for ladies; for we confess ourselves not in love with angular characters, but prefer the full, free, oval turns of the be.-.t caligraplicrs. But as ladies differ from us, they must have tbeir way, and let us have our grumble by saying it is of the very best of what we think a faulty style. As to arithmetic, the test is, for girls, very thorough. Many of the questions would puzzle nineteen out of twenty experienced men, though we suppose nowadays boys are expected to understand the mysteries of square and cube root. If they do not, we can tell them many of the Provincial school girls beat them already l -. History, English Grammar, English and French Composition, have all been carefully gone into ; and a glance at the examination papers proves that the investigation has been thorough. Much as wc estimated the value of the exhibition, we were better pleased at the evidence of the work done by looking over the examination papers. The Chairman said he had been requested to state that in the opinion of Mrs Burn Miss Will would have probably obtained prizes had she not been prevented by unfortunate circumstances from attending the School for some short jffifie prior to the examination. Mr Mislop, on behalf of the pupils of the; school, presented to the Lady Principal, in token of the esteem and affection of the boarders, a “ Toilet Surprise and from the pupils in the upper-schoolroom, a biscuit box. To Miss M'Dougall, from her pupils, a card case and pair of vases. To Miss Hnie, from her music pupils, a bouquet holder. To Mr Pope, from the girls in the upper-class room, a pencil case. Mrs Burn briefly thanked them fqr their kinds presents and expressions of regard. Mr Pope, who was loudly called for, returned thanks oii behalf of himself and fellow teachefs. He said he felt very much gratified to find a pleasant year’s work had been brought to a satisfactory close. Tl’e main difficulty which teachers usually had to contend with was, not what should be taught, or what would be most valuable in after life, but to get pupils to see the good of learning anything at all. That defect, however, so far as the girls attending the School was concerned, was wanting ; they had always responded with the utmost alacrity to all demands made upon them ; indeed, he might say that during an experience of fourteen years he had never met with pupils who had given such thorough f atisfaction as the girls of the senior class of the Provincial High School. In conclusion, he wished to .assure the girls of the very grateful feelings with which he and the other teachers accepted the handsome presents that bad been handed to them; that they wished them a happy holiday, and hoped they would return to their studies, when it Mas over, invigorated in body and mind. The Chairman then briefly; addressed the pupils, and concluded by stating that the School would be p-e-opened ou the 29ch January.