GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2401, 13 December 1881, Page 3

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

The annual presentation of prizes to the pupil* of the above school took place last evening in the school building. There was a. large attendance of friends of the scholars, and Mr W. Montgomery, M.H.E., chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, presided. Mr Montgomery, before proceeding to distribute the prizes said he would read the reports of the examiners. It was only by these annual reports, made by competent gentlemen after a thorough and searching examination, that the Board itself and the parents and guardians of the pupils could obtain any idea as to the progress of the school, and it was only in this way that the public could know whether the institution, which was supported by public money, was doing its duty or not. It would be an excellent thing if all the schools throughout the colony were examined by thoroughly impartial men, who would send forward their reports without fear, favor, or affection, so that the public might know exactly what kind of tuition was being given in the schools and how they were conducted. The examiners were Professors Cook and Brown, of Canterbury College, whose names alone were a sufficient guarantee cf the value of the reports submitted by them. Professor Cook reported that he had examined the school in mathematics, history, and geography, and that in nearly all respects the results of the examination were satisfactory. Locking co the school as a whole, it seemed to him that whilst the highest, or sixth class, had attained the standard which ought to be expected from a cchool of this character, the other classes were working well up to it, and that the very weak element which existed last year at the lower end of the school was very much reduced. The spelling in the middle of the school, which last year was reported to bo bad, was very much improved. Professor Brown, who had examined the school in Latin, English, and French, reported that the average in those three subjects over the whole school was higher by four per cent, than that of last year; in Latin it vat higher by 1 per cent., in French by 5 per cent., and in English by 6 per cent. The Inspector-general of Schools, who had inspected the school on the 31et October, alto furnished a report, in which he repeated the favorable opinions expressed in his former reports as to the organisation of the school and the character of the work done in it. He (Mr Montgomery) thought these reports would be considered satisfactory. He considered them eo, and was as good a judge of the character of the school as anybody could be. He might mention that the number of pupils attending the school was nearly the same as last year. The first term there were 87, the second 95, and the third S 3. It was the intention of the Board of Governors to establish a separate School of Art in the old Girls’ School. They had secured the services of a first-class master from England, Ike necessary appliances and fittings were being provided, and the school would probably open in January next. It would not only be available for the pupils of the Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, but there would be evening classes for adults, and instruction would be given generally, under condition which would be published, to all who wishe to join. The prizes were distributed as follows, each recipient being heartily cheered. Class 6—Mathematics, Caroline Woodley, Ist prize. English, Caroline Woodley, Ist; prize.

f' Class'S—Mathematics, Kate Chianoll, Ist prize. Enyliah andlnngtiagea. Beatrice Gibson, Ist prize; Kate Coisnull, 2nd. Class I—Mathematics, Mary Oliver, Ist prize. English and languages, Kmmelino Kilgour, Ist pr^e; Winnified Cox, 2nd; Catherine Lamb, Class 3 -Mathematics, Amy Thomas. Ist ! jn*ize. English and languages, Lilian lAilliams, Ist prize; Mary Oliver and Amy Thomas (equal), 2nd. - . „ , . . , . Class 2 -Mathematics, Hobortina Shiels, Ist * prme; Gec-rgiua Aikman, 2nd. English languSarah .'McCullough, Ist prize; Alice Koivloy, 2nd Class 2—English. Ethel Williams, Ist prize ; Aletha Kendall, 2nd: Annie Brown, 3rd. Extra prizes—General progress, Ellen Pitcaithly, J£liz>beth Milaom. Needlework, tor girls over lorn-teen. 1 ilinn Papprill; for girls ~over twelve, Helena Gibson; for girls under twelve, Agnes Bay- Mapping, Edith Irving. nakulewoiik;. Class I. (twelve years and ruder)— Prize, Agues Baj. ; honorable mention, Harriet Mil- , Son. Ethel VPlUifims, Susie Howland. ’' Class 11. (thirteen and fourteen years)-Prize, Helena Gibson ; honorable mention, Edith Howland, Mery Wilson. 'Class HI. (fifteen years and over)—Prize, Lilian Papprill; honorable mention. Saiah McCullough, Annie Pieroy, Jessie Wilson. Note—Mrs Johnston, Mrs Malet, Mrs Miller agi Mrs Tancred. who examined the need'ework. thought it even bestir than last year, and were very much pleased with its exquisite neatness. They were particularly struck with the work done by the younger children, whoso ages average from tec to twelve. 1 - MAPS.

Prize, E ’ith Irving; honorable mention, Heater Oounon. Beatrice Gibson, Mary Gibson, Gertrude Boulton. After the prizes had been distributed a programme of mnsio and recitations was gone through in a manner which, while it reflected credit on the school, afforded considerable enjoyment to the audience, who evinced their approbation by frequent applause.