TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2419, 17 December 1880, Page 2

TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL.

The breaking up of the High School for the Christinas vacation took place today in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen. The hall was prettily decorated for the occasion, a platform beifng erected at the south end, in front of which the prizes wore placed. In one of the outer rooms were arranged a number of pretty things, the work of the pupils, consisting of maps, drawings, and fancy needlework, i'cc. On the platform in the hall wore assembled the Rev W. Gillies, who presided, the Rev G. Barclay, the l!ev Mr Dumbell, and Messrs Bellield, Bruce, Howell, and Chisholm. The Jtev. Mr Gillies opened tlie proceedings by remarking that he was indeed happy to sec so many visitors present (hat afternoon because he felt it must act as an encouragement to (ho hoys, and also to (heir teachers, and incite both to fresh exertions after (he vacation. It was customary on these occasions—a first public gathering—to devote a few words to the history of the school but, but on this occasion he did not propose to do anything of the kind but would content himself with simply wishing the school and its seholursand allconneetod with it.success. The Hon Mr liolleston had been asked to distribute the prizes, but was, unfortunately, unable to be present, as would be shown by the following telegram [the message was hero read.] Notes of apology had also been from.lii.lge Ward and the Veil. Archdeacon Harper for their non.attendance, and he regretted that those gentlemen were prevented from being present with them on this occasion. RECTOR'S ADDRESS. The following address was delivered by the Hector, Mr A. L. 11. Dawson, M.A. u To-day I propose to speak briefly about our organisation and curriculum, and still more briefly about the working of (lie first year of tlie High School. Before doing .so, 1 would express my obligations to tlie Governors, one and all, for kindly encouragement, and for shrewd co-operation in assisting me to organise the School. Nor must I forget to thank my colleagues, both ladies and gentlemen, for their assistance. In adopting a curriculum and arrangement of work, lino regard has been paid, first, to the Victorian Royal Commission of IS7B ; and, secondly, to tlie more recent report of the New Zealand Commission on Secondary balneation. Working a High School on (he old linos of mathematics and classics has conic to an end. A new epoch has arisen in the teaching of English, while science is quietly asserting its right to a share of attention. At the same time, classics must not he neglected ; for if life is worth living at all, it is worth remembering ; and the realisation, if in a partial manner, of the spirit of by-gono ages must ever have a liberalising and humanising effect. Nor must mathematics be neglected ; for they are as indispensable to the production of a well-trained mind as muscular exercise is to the building up of a vigorous body. But, alone, these two branches arc not sufficient ; and exclusive attention to them can never make a colonial school a success. Sir Hercules Robinson, observing the general unwillingness of parents to prolong the sellout career of their children, attributes it to the mistaken modern notion, that the value of high education depends mainly on the money return which it will bring. His Excellency is right as to the fact. Though the gauge of value aJl’orded by this test presents, to elevated minds, an unworthy estimate of the chief value of learning, it would be idle to forget, that it arises out of the necessities of life, with those who are not born to wealth. We must, therefore, be prepared to expect that many parents in New Zealand will be mainly influenced by the money return which education will bring to their families. Our plans have been laid to suit this spirit. Attention to English composition, arithmetic, bookkeeping, and modern languages, forms a feature in the school—the end in view being to give our pupils practical help ia the great struggle of life, and to render

them more useful in their several vocations. We desire, above all things, to be useful ; while, at the same time, we cherish the hope that, out of the many who pass through our hands, some of better metal may learn to value their education on higher grounds, and to love and cultivate letters for their own sake. In the Girls’ High School, as in the Boys', we desire to he useful, ami to meet the wants of the time. The curriculum is based on the matured results of the movement for the higher education of women, both in England and on the Continent ; but along with instruction in mathematics, languages, and science, special attention is given to music, drawing, needlework, and the laws of health in the house—-the art of keeping oneself and family alive and well. There is ample evidence that health-teaching will, in a higher state of civilisation than obtains at present, be held as necessary as reading, writing, and arithmetic. With a view to aid in making future happy homes, I hope the time is not far distant when the Governors will supply a range in the school for teaching the important art of cookery. I need say very little about the working of the School during the year. In all 03 girls and 18 bo} r s have been enrolled ; and not a bad feature is the gradual increase —30 per cent.—of pupils during the second, third, and last terms of the year. Our 90 pupils now in attendance have worked steadily,without exception, I may say ; for every effort has been made to stir up the indolent. Of the conduct of pupils I ant able to speak most approvingly. The older boys and girls have in tips respect giv’eu me special satisfaction, and their good example has told beneficially on the moral tone of the School. I must not omit mentioning that our sports meeting . was a great success, and that in inter-scholastic matches we hare only once suffered defeat. M.V thanks are due to the donors of prizes—to Sir Julius Vogel, Messrs 11.I 1 . W. Hutton and Co., Messrs Gabites and Plante, Messrs Ifeid and Kuubley, Messrs Maclean and Stewart, Messrs Small and Clemance, Mr R. R. Taylor, Mr John Hamilton, Mr Joseph Jones, Mr J. Campbell, Rev W. Gillies, Mr Stone, and the teachers. To the prize takers—and especially such prize takers as now complete your school career—l would say that future success can alone be achieved by continued industry, with a determined will to succeed in whatever you undertake. To unsuccessful competitors 1 would say, that all cannot suceed ; and my advice is, to more vigorously coinpetcagain. Competition is an invigorating principle. It inspires the youthful breast with a noble emulation ; in the hour of defeat it im-

parts the buoyancy of future hope". To the audience, I convey uiy thanks. The secret of the life and expansion of learning, at various periods in the world’s history, lies in the prevalence of convictions, that the greatness of a state, and its ability to hold its own among other nations, depend oil the mental training and the moral culture given to youth ; for there is a concomitant variation observed between the two facts. Imbued with similiar convictions, I trust you arc present this day; and that, as the people of Athens watched with the keenest interest, the contests and achievements of their youth in the (irst great schools, so the'people of South Canterbury will always muster in goodly numbers at “ Speech Days,” to witness the school triumphs of their sons and daughters. (Loud applause.) The Hector then read a report on the High School received from the Rev Mr 1 [aliens, the (Jovernment I nspector of Schools, which bore testimony to the excellent condition of the school and to the elTicient manner in which it was conducted. The report was received with applause. The Lev Mr Barclay and Mr Bcllicld also addressed the meeting, after which the distribution of prizes took place. PRIZE AND HON Oil LIST. Holders of Governors’ Scolarships of the value of ten guineas—Miss Partridge,Miss King, Miss Jamieson. Master Campbell. Gold Medalist—English, Latiu,Aritlimetic, History, Geography Master William I’. Ward. Sir .Julius Vogel’s Prize —Botany, Philology, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology —Mas'or Herbert C. Barclay. Messrs lleid and Knubley’s PrizeMiss Mary J. McLean—Second in the Medal Competition. English -Class I.—lf. Chisholm, 1 ; J. Coodall, 2 ; Gabites, ;» ; H. Butler, 4 : E. Jones, b ; V. Lovegrove, ti. Class II.—1!. \V. Tate, Ward', Barclay, equal ; Campbell, 2 ; G. Jones, .4. French —Class I.—Ward, 1 ; Barclay, 2 ; Perceval, .‘i ; F. Jones, 4 ; Gillies, b. Class lI.—H. W. Tate, I ; G. Jones, 2 ; Campbell, 4 ; LcCren, 4.

Latin —Class I.—(1. Colo. I ; A. Dobson, 2 ; Perceval. 3. Class It.—llassoll, 2 ; 11. Tate, 2; IT. Goodall, 3; Cnllmann, 4. Class lll.—Ward, 1 ; 11. W. Tato, 2 : Barclay, 3 ; Campbell, 4, Greek —Class I. —11. W. Tate, 1 ; Ward. 2 ; Barclay, 3. Arithmetic—Class I. —J. Butler, 1 : E. Jones, 2 ; J. Goodall, 3 ; H. Butler, 4; W. Butler, 5. Class ll.—Ward, 1; Campbell, 2 ; Melton, 3 ; G. Jones, 4.

Mathematics —Class I. —Ward, 1 ; Campbell, 2. Class ll—LeCren, 1 ; Barclay, 2. History—'Class I. — Goodall, 1 ; A. Bourn, 2 ; Gabites, 3 ; A r . Lovegrove, 1. Class ll.—Ward, I ;Barclay, 2 ; Camp : bell, 3. Geography—Class I.—H. Butler, 1 ; J. Butler, 2 ; Gabites,3 ; J. Goodall, 4. Class II. —Ward, 1; Barclay, 2; Camppcll, 3. Botany—Barclay, 1 ; B, W. Tate, 2 ; Ward. 3 ; Campbell, 4. Elementary Science—Ward, 1 ; Barclay, Campbell, equal ; R. W. Tate, 3. English Literature —• Barclay, I : Ward, 2 .; B. W. Tate, 3 ; Campbell, 4. Drawing —Campbell, 1 ; LeCren, 2: R. W. Tate, 3. Bookkeeping—Cullman, 1 ; G. Jones, 2. Writing—Class I.—II. Butler, 1. Class II.—(!. Jones, 1. Map Drawing—Class I.—IT. Butler, 1. Class ll.—Campbell, 1. GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. English—Class I. —Miss M. Bowker, 1 ; Miss Stone, 2 ; Miss Crammond, 3. Class II. —Miss King, t : Miss Partridge. 2 ; Mi ss McLean, 3. French—Class I—Miss E. Gillies, 1 : Miss Brownell, 2; Miss Cornish, 3, Class ll—Miss Partridge, I; Miss McliCan, 2 ; Miss E. Cooper, 3, Class lll—Miss King, 1 ; Miss Jamieson, 2 ; Miss X. Cooper, 3. Latin—Class I— Miss ■ Cornish, 1; Miss Stone, 2 ; Miss Brownell, 3. Class ll—Miss E. Cooper, 1 ; Miss King, 2 ; Miss Burnett, 3, Class HI — Miss Jamieson, 1 ; Miss X. Cooper, 2. German —Class I —Miss Jamieson,l; Miss N. Cooper, 2 ; Miss E. Cooper, 3. Class II —Miss King, I ; Miss E. Lovegrove, 2 ; Miss M. Lovegrove, 3. Arithmetic Class I - Miss M. Bowker, 1 ; Miss Cramond. 2 ; Miss E. Lovegrove, 3 ; Miss Goodall, 4; Miss E. Hassell, o ; Miss Cole, (5. Class II — Miss McLean, 1 ; Miss Partridge, 2 ; Miss Jamieson, 3 ; Miss E. Gillies, 4 ; Miss J. Gillies, 5 ; Miss C. Bowker, G.

Mathematics—-Class I —Miss McLean 1; Miss Partridge, 2. History —Class I, —MissM. Powker, I; Miss Fowler, 2; Miss Cramond, 3. Class lL —Miss Partridge, 1 ; Miss McLean, 2 ; Miss E. Gillies, 3. Geography —Class I. —Miss M. Pow. leer, 1 ; Miss Cole, 2; Miss Crammond, 3. Class IT. —Miss Partridge, 1; Miss McLean, 2 ; Miss King, 3. Health —-Miss E. Cooper, 1 ; Miss N. Cooper, Miss Jamieson, equal, 2. Potany—Miss Partridge, Miss King, equal, 1 ; Miss Jamieson, 3. General Science—Miss Partridge, 1; Miss E. Cooper, 2; Miss King, 3. English Literature —Miss McLean, I; Miss Partridge, 2. Drawing. —Miss Jamieson, Hiss E. Lovegrove, equal : Miss King, 2 ; Miss Mabel Lovegrove, 3. Writing--Class I.—Miss M. Allen, 1 ; Miss Cramond, 2. Class IL—Miss McLean, I : Miss Partridge, 2. Mapping —Class I.—Miss E, Hassell. Class II. —-Miss E. llnrnett, 1. Needlework —Class L— Plain Miss Hamilton, 1 ■ Miss M. Powker, Miss Goodall, Miss K. Hassell, equal. Fancy —-Miss Goodall, 1 ; Miss M. Powker, 2 ; Miss Hamilton, 3. Class ll.—Miss Pennet, Miss Shaw, equal, 1 ; Miss K. Lovegrove, Miss M. Lovegrove, Miss E. Gillies, Miss Pennett, equal, 2. Fancy—Miss Gillies, 1 ; Miss E. Gillies, Miss Purnett, equal, 2 ; Miss E. Lovegrove, Miss M. J. Pip-pet I, Miss Jamieson, equal, 3. LOWER SCHOOL. English—Miss Shappero, 1 : Miss Jonas, 2 ; Miss A. Powker, 3. Arithmetic —Miss Shappero, 1 ; -Miss Jonas, 2 : Miss Richmond, 3. French —Miss M. Cole, I ; Miss W. Shaw, 2 ; Miss Maggie Allen, 3. History—Miss Maggie Allen, 1 ; Miss Shappere, 2 ; Miss Flo. Gillies, 3, Geography—Miss A. Powker, 1 ; Miss Flo. Gillies, 2. Writing—Miss Maggie Allen, 1 ; Miss Richmond, 2. Needlework--Miss G. Lovegrove, 1 ; Miss Flo. Gillies, 2.

A miscellaneous epteidaunenj took place at the Theatre Loyal last evening in which a nvupVer of well known amateurs took part.