Founders’ Day at Diocesan School

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 7

Founders’ Day at Diocesan School

COMMEMORATION SERVICE GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT Founders’ Day, one of the redletter days in the calendar of the Diocesan High School for Girls, was celebrated yesterday after - Tlie presence of the Governor-Gen- | Alice Fergusson and Lady Augusta ' j Inskip, Her Excellency’s sister, added , further to the dignity of the commemo- i There were also present Archbishop Averill. Sir Edwin Mitchelson, ex- I chairman of the school council, and ; Messrs. E. Horton, H. Gilfillan, A. D. j Stewart and Dr. E. Roberton, members ' of the council. A large assembly ol old girls, present scholars and parents, also took part in the celebration. A service conducted by the school ' Chaplin, the Rev. J. T. McWilliam, began the commemoration. In welcoming their Excellencies, Mr. C. J. Tunks, the present chairman, said that the school was much indebted for many past kindnesses. The Diocesan School was founded in 1903 at the instance of Bishop Neligan j and the service was being held to j commemorate the founders, to whose j foresight and faith this flourishing j school owed its existence. When the j school was opened 24 years ago there j were 25 pupils and four teachers, and I to-day the roll number was 340, with ; a staff of 48. The speaker paid a warm tribute to the work of Miss M. E. Pulling, who j had been headmistress for so many years. The headmistress, Miss E. H. Sand- j ford, stressed the importance of the i co-operation of parents with the staff I in the welfare of the school. “I believe girls would get more out | of school arid university life if they had i two years in the sixth form instead of only one,” said Miss Sandford. She stressed the value of athletics for girls. It was hoped to get 12 hard tennis courts, a cricket field or hockey ■ground, and a swimming bath. Already four tennis courts had been promised and it was intended soon to make an appeal for monetary assistance in carrying out the scheme. After the ser.vice a garden party was given in the school grounds.