THE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3689, 18 December 1874, Page 2

THE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizes to the pupils attending the aboyg took place }n the large room of the Boys’ School this afternoon, in the presence of a large number of the parents and friends of the pupils. The work of the pupils in many of the branches of study and handicraft taught during the year was displayed in the school-room proper, and of course attracted much attention. The chair was taken by f.Jr hi. B. Cargill, and among the gentlemen present we noticed the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, the Kev, Dr Stuart, Mr J. M'Lean M.P.C., and Mr M'Dermid, M.P.C. The proceeding were opened by The Chairman making a few remarks, who said he was glad to know that the progress made by this division of the High School during the past session had been very satisfactory, and, in the face of the many difficulties that had to be contended with, had been quite up to the mark and what might have been anticipated. He might be expected to say something about the very pleasurable duty of ha v iug to preside over a meeting of this sort, in the presence of the y® u “J , an< -l beauty of Dunedin; but he was afraid it would scarcely do for him to venture in that direction lest he should be speedily pulled up by the Lady Principal, whose notions of propriety were very strict.—(Laughter.) H e therefore proceeded to the dry details of the day s business. The Lady Principal (Mrs Burn) read her annual report as follows : r-"i4y V o n , d °, f r l , lO fourtk sessi °n of the Gmls High Schoo! I have little that is new to icpoit. With the same aim in view as hereto-fore—-namely, to give a solid and useful education to our girls- the same course of study habeen prosecuted by the pupils. The results ol the mathematical course in the highest class have been even better than last year Though the gills are younger, several of them have been fb l l g K rill fi SC - 1 i )0 ‘«- an(1 are uum istakeably showing the beneficial effects of previous training in the + Physical geography is the only f r 1 y natural science which has been tfm ntl t US y , ear ’ 'f 1 deemed it sufficient with « <V VOrk 11l months the majority of the pupils have suffered horn the prevailing epidemic audits consequent weakness. 4-ho result has been less ability for mental work towards the close of the year especially in the lower c’asses. This fully accounts for the pupils of the third class having

gained a lower percentage of marks than I am sure they would have secured if their studies h«d not been interrupted. “ During my enforced absence from the Colony the Education Board appointed a temporary teacher, and it affords me much pleasure to report that the entire work of the school went on most satisfactorily, and that I had every reason to be satisfied with its condition on my return. My hearty thanks are due to all my for their constant and untiring help—each doing the utmost possible for the good of the school, both dunng my absence and throughout the whole session. ihe Education Board has granted me an ' additional teacher, whose time will be almost wholly given up to the French department. By this arrangement, I hope to he able to exercise more general supervision over the school than when I was necessarily engaged nearly allmy time in class teaching. The average attendance during the year has been 132. The certificates have been adjudged in the usual manner ; those pupils gaining 75 per cent of attainable marks taking a first-class certificate, and 50 per cent, a second-class one. The Education Board presents us usual a gold medal to the dux of the school. i\ir John M‘Lean, of Redcastle, and Mr W. D. Stewart, have each given a silver me.’.al. Several friends have also sent pikes to be awarded, as I think best, for special subjects. Mr and Mrs Hawthorne have presented two ruindsome books, Mr Brent a coral cim-let, Mr Keith and Mr Wilkie each handsome books. Mr Pope gives two prizes for special excellence m science and mathematics. My own special prizes are—a silver medal for the dux of one of the classes, a prize to the second girl in each class, one for composition in A class, for historical chart iu P. class, map drawing in (J class, plain needlework in D class, and two prizes for general improvement. Miss Dalrymple, of Port Chalmers, who takes so deep an interest in the training of our girls, has communicated to me a plan which she has formed with the view of fostering and developing the moral faculties in their relation to social intercourse, which are of as much, if not of more importance than intellectual acquirements in connection with the performance of the ordinary duties of a woman’s life. The plan has not yet assumed a definite shape, and •I feel it that is surrounded with not a fewdifficult.es ; but we hope to be able by-and-by to see our way more clearly in the matter. Meantime Miss Dalrymple Las sent me two prizes to be awarded to two girls, noted for their diligence, attention, and punctuality ; and two to be bestowed on two girls who have shown in their intercourse with their schoolfellows the qualities of courtesy, kindness, and gentleness, llxese last have been awarded by the votes of all the girls above the age of thirteen, and I decidedly think their choice a just one in the present instance.” The following is the PRIZE list Dux of School, Gold Medal—Miss W. A. J. Mackay. A Division—- Section A, English and French; Ist class certificates, 75 per cent, marks: Ist, Misses A. M. Burn; and 2nd, \V. A. J. Mackay Section B, Mathematics and Science; ™ es E- Little, Jane Banks, W. A. J. Mackay. Section C, History and Geography ; Misses Jane Banks, C. Carnegie, VV. A. J Mackay, A. M. Burn, J. Cooke, C. Campbell: Judo.ass certificates, 50 per cent, of marks Section A, Misses M. Smith, Joanna Banks’ Jaim Banks, C. Carnegie, E. Davies, T. Gillies, E. Gillies, E. Hams, E. Little, K. Nutter, F. WAV' 7, Tr S tt S> Slater > J- Cook. Section B : Misses A. M. Bum, O. Carnegie, E. Davies. (V. C lllie n» E. Gray. Section C : Misses E. J- kiUte*. E. Gray, E. Harris, E. Little, M. M Lareu, F. Ross, J. Trotter, M, VV atson. ’ M^ D M rS J O^r D , UX . Of e CIaSS - SUve * Medal 5 Miss M. S. Maitland. Section A, Arithmetic. Science, Geography, and History, Ist class certificates, to percent, marks: Misses M. S. Maitland B. Begg. Section B, English and French : Misses E. E. Grant, R. Bathgate, J. Cairns, J. Gow, M. S. Maitland, B. Begg, M. Ross ; 2nd class certificates, 50 per cent marks, feec ion A, Arithmetic, Science, Geography, and History: Misses R. Bathgate, M. Ross, R. Beckham, E. F Grant, J. Gow, A. Warren, I • Matheson, J. Cairns, J. Calder, P, Moss, a! Maitland, K. Peters. Section B, English and Irench; Misses J. Callender, S. Smith, A. Warren K. Peters, S Smeaton, J. Calder, H. Hlue - E. Simpson, M. Reynolds, F. Mathosoh, P. Moss, J. Langmuir, F. Campbell, M. Cairns, A. Maitland, J. Stuart, J. Goldie. y Division.— Dux of class, silver medal» Miss A. Davies. English, French, Arithmetic and Science. 2nd oJas* certificates, 50 per cent : MwAtoies, M - M’Lean, J. bmith, d Morns, C, Harris, A. Cowie. F. Isaacs, J. Bowler, A. M'Glashan, H. Tewsiey. D - Dux of class, Miss May Little. English, hrenoh, and Arithmetic. Ist class certificates, 73 per cent, marks : Misses M. Little, A. Campbell, K. Grant. 3rd class certificates, oO per cent, marks : Misses S. Strachan, A. Findlay, K. Sperrey, G. Martin, e S: l ST«5 T « A. Pope, S. Barr, A Ballantyne, J. rac^an > K. Macmenemeu, H, Special Prizes. -For second place in A Class, Misses Jane Banks and A M. Burn equal -second place in B Class, M. R. Bath’gate ; for second place in C Class, Misses M. M Lean and J. Smith, equal; for second place in TVT Q ?i 1 a,SS ’ lss 4r, 9 an, Pk°U » special prize m Mathematics and Sconce (Mr Pope’s): Misses Mato (telescope), and Jane Banks (spectroscope). Prizes for first place in French, A Class ; Misses M. Smith and A. Burn equal Special prizes for Composition, A Class: Ist Miss E, Little, 2nd Miss C. Carnegie. Special prizes for Ihstoncal Charts, B Class : Ist Miss . Bathgate, 2nd Miss J. Cairns. Special ft IZ IT for n Map V 1 .° Ulass : Miss Jessie Smith. Do Needlework in D Class : Miss K. Sperry, bpeeulprizes for General Improvement, A Class; Miss 1. Gillies; B Class: Miss J. Gow (Miss Dalrymple s prize); C Class: Miss F. Isaacs (do) : D. Class : Miss H. Purdie. Mrs T. White’s prize for I nusic-Miss W. A, J. Mackay: Mr Towsey s—Miss Ellen Harris. Miss Dalrymple’s prizes for courtesy, kindness, and gentleness towards each other were awarded, by the votes of the girls, to Misses E, £ Vi’w a: Jr "' ritias priM feU Class singing is still taught by Mr Thomson, and drawing by Mr Hutton, who reports improvement in the style of work. Music and singing classes have been carried on by Miss Bell, Mrs I’. White, Mrs Wilmot. and Mr A J. lowsey and about sixty of the pupils leam music m the school. German is still taught by Mr Beuchler, dancing by Mr Kelly, and gymnasties by Mr Long. [Our report of the proceedings is crowded °Ut. J