GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1919, Page 6

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. A SUCCESSFUL CEREMONY. The distribution of prizes in connection with the New Plymouth Girls' High School took place in the Empire Theatre last night, and was a most successful function. There was a large gathering of parents and friends of the scholars. The prizes and trophies, which were arranged on a large table, formed the central piece of the stage furnishing, the table being draped with a large Union Jack. The stage was well furnished and arranged and brightly decorated with flowers and greenery. The chairman of the Board of Governors (Mr. R. W. D. Robertson) presided, and there were also on the platform the Mayor and Mayoress. his Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, Mrs. R. W. D. Robertson, Colonel Weston, the members of the Board of Governors, Miss Barr (principal) and the members of the school staff. The proceedings opened with the singing of the school song ''Gaudeamus." Bouquets were presented by the girls to Mrs. Robertson and Miss Barr. CHAIRMANS ADDRESS. The chairman welcomed those present, particularly as it was the first ceremony in connection with the school in the great year of peace. (Applause.) He specially welcomed Mr. Justice Chapman, and said New Zealand was .well favored by reason of the fact that many of its leading citizens took a keen interest in educational matters, and he thanked his Honor for coming to address the gathering. Mr. Robertson then referred to the influenza epidemic, which had been the cause of the postponement, and in connection with that he paid a tribute to the work of the principal and the staff for their attention to the boarders, and for keeping them as far as possible from serious harm. Such service, he said, could not be boxight with money, and he was pleased to be able to give it public recognition. (Applause.) Though the present school had been built only three years it was already proving ti\> small. The boarding accommodation had proved quite inadequate, and in a very short time the class-room accommodation would be too small for requirements. This, he said, was indicative of the importance of secondary education for girls, and what the country was demanding for girls. The board had done its best with the limited means at its disposal, and unless the Government came to its assistance the position would be that they would have to say they had no more room. In referring to the musical programme to be given, the chairman thanked the Old Girls' Association, who had undertaken it. It had been impossible for the school to arrange anything, oji account of the interruption by the epidemic, and the}' were grateful to the old girls who had come to their assistance. (Applause.) T ADY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT. In the course of her report Miss Banstated that the preparatory department had continued to increase, and the room built for that class was now quite full. Changes in the staff had not been numerous. The examination results had been very staisfaetory. Although there was no defined commercial course in the school curriculum, many of the girls who left the school found that the course they had followed developed habits of thought and attention to duty which were the foundation for all work. The advantage of school sporty was dwelt upon, and the courageous action of Peggy and Dinah Brown, who had rescued some schoolmates from drowning on the Fitzroy beach, was the subject of a commendatory notice. Patriotic work had found a prominent place in the school work during the year. Thanks was expressed to those who had donated special prizes, to the Old Girls' Association, to Mr. Sladden for the gift of a Union Jack, to those who had contributed towards the prize fund, and to the Board of Governors for their consideration, and the staff for their loyal support and cooperation. JUDGE CHAPMAN'S ADDRESS. His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman expressed his pleasure at addressing ft Taranaki audience for the first time, and playfully referred to other addresses which he had delivered to Taranaki people. He then referred to some of his father's experiences seventy years ago as a circuit judge, and to the difficulties of visiting places like New Plymouth in those days. He said the story of those experiences had given him a great respect for Taranaki, which in those days was known as the garden of New Zealand. His Honor proceeded to say that studies should not end when school days ended, and recommended every boy and girl to take up some branch of study.; Studies pursued in after life, said his Honor, were more enriching than any received in school days. Referring to the study of languages, said most of uie girls would know something of French. There was now the closest amity between the English and French people, and that would be increased as the study of the language developed. He then commended the value of history as a study. He said the most fruitful period of history, the most useful for the future, and the richest in lessons, was the period in which we lived to-day. He enumerated some of the valuable lessons of the present time, and particularly eulogised the noble sacrifices which had been made in the noblest cause in which men ever served or died. In conclusion he urged all the girls to aim in life at gaining some definite and worthy object. He encouraged the unsuccessful scholars by assuring them that the slow ones very often were spurred to more earnest efforts after their school days, and that slowness was no mark of want of ability. j His closing remark was in reference to the victory in the field of war which, he said, was valued because it brought freedom, peace and honor to the human race. (Applause.) Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and Mr. F. W. Atkinson, members of the board, also addressed the meeting, stressing the importance of a proper educational course for girls, and congratulating the principal, staff and scholars on the results of last year's work. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. The prizes were then distributed by Mrs. R. W. D. Robertson, each recipient being applauded. The dux of the school (Leila Hurle), who won the distinction for the second year in succession, was accorded quite an ovation. The prizes for the sports were distributed by Colonel Weston, who, in a brief address, eulogised the war work of the women of England, and said the work of the New Zealand women had only been less because of lesser opportunity. The musical items given during the evening were a pianoforte solo (Miss Douglas) and songs (Misses Gibson and M. Thomsap"„

The proceedings closed with the singing, of the National Anthem. Following is the prize listi |j ; ; PREPATORY. . f* Standard I.—Nina Nolan, class-prize. Standard ll.—lda Lysojns, class prize. Standard lll.—Cicely Greatbatch, class prize. Standard IV.—Nora Palmer, class prize; Evelyn Palmer, nature study prize; Frances Nicholson, prize for home work. Standard V.—Barbara Sumner, class prize. UPPER SCHOOL. Form 111. B—Jean Walter, first algebra; Marjory Freeth, first drawing (Miss Lennon's prize)'; Stephanie North, first arithmetic and science; Jane Mitchell, first English, French, history, geography and geometry. Form 111. A—Winsome Young, first science; Myrtle Noble, first arithmetic; Helen' Thomson, first French; Mary Downes, first algebra; Muriel Reid, firsi history and hygiene; Evelyn White, first English, geography, Latin and geometry. Form IV. B—M. Walker, first French; L. Ovenden, first science; E. McMillan, first English, arithmetic and history; N. Peach, first geometry and drawing. Form IV. A—Viva Johns, first botany; Annie Wilson, first arithmetic; Dinah Brown, first geometry and science; Nancy Wilson, first English, Latin, French, history and algebra. Form V. B —G. Barnett, first science; M. Thomson, first French and algebra; E. Ballantyne, first English, arithmetic and geometry. Form V. A—Peggy Brown, first science and geography; Nona Dell, first history and algebra; Doreen Wat kins, first botany, drawing'and geography; Winnie Downes, first English, Latin, French and arithmetic. Form VI. B—Kathleen Downes, first English and geography; Enid White, second in form; Ailsa Ewing, first in Eorra, PRIZES FOR PROGRESS AND EFFICIENCY. (Given by Mr. J. W. Martin). Preparatory—Betty James, Standard II.; Jean Ramson, Standard V. Form 111. A—Rita Jensen, Beryl West and Edna Wadman. Form IV. A—Elmira Million and Rohan Bell. Form V. B —Madge Barnes. Form V. A—Constance Musker and Winnie Downes. Essay Prize (given by Mr. Hutchen) — L. Hurle. House prefect (Miss Barr's prize)— , Peggy Brown. Head prefect (Mr. Greiner's prize)— Leila Hurle. Dr. Fookes' trophy—Peggy Brown. Prox. acc.—M. Johnstone, Form VI. A. Dux—Leila Hurle, Form VI. A. SPORTS PRIZE LIST. Preparatory events.—Doreen Rennell, first pets' race; Nora Palmei - and Cicely Greatbatch, first three-legged race; Doreen Willis, first 50 yards (under eleven); Rauma List, first sack race; Barbara Sumner, first hopping, egg and spoon, and high jump; Jean Ramson, first potato race, 100 yards, hoop race, long jump, skipping and 50 yards walking; Beatrice Martin, first walking across baths; Marjory Hutchen, first 33 1-3 yards swimming championship; Evelyn Palmer, first junior plunge, 50 feet swimming, backstroke, and diving; Vivienne Webster, second in eight events. Junior events—Marjorie Sladden, first high jump, walking across bathg, maiden race (swimming); Evelyn White and ]£dna Death, first three-legged race; JJeryi West, first sack race; Aileen Abraham, first potato race,; Alison Fookes, first egg and spoon (swimming); Nancy Wilson, first junior breast stroke; Hazel (Jlegg; first beginner's swimming; Mabel Jury, first dog paddle; Molly Olson, first consolation race Mr. Geo. King's prize); Winsome Young, first 440 yards, 100 yards, long jump, high jump, hurdles, 50 yards swimming, long dive. Senior Events.—Jessie Cassie, first egg and spoon and three-legg'ed race; Miliy Boon, first obstacle race; Marjorie Freeth, first potato race; May Cassie, first throwing cricket ball; Viva Johns, first thread the needle race; Edna Mouat, first thread needle race and neat header; Flora Cameron, first 440 yards; Jean Walter, first 50 yards walking, hurdles, wetweather race; Mavis Brunette, iong jump, three-legged race, and tortoise cycle I race; Kitty Wood, first consolation race (Mr. Geo. King's prize); Gwen Barnett, first dog paddle; Barbara Cartwright, first maiden, egg and spoon (swimming events); Doreen Watkins, first blindiold swimming and crocodile race; Loo Loo Musker, first beginners' swimming race; lileanor Campbell, iirst walking across baths; Eileen Ballantyne, first Corfu dive; Dinah Brown, first breast stroke, plunge, 33 1-3 yards handicap, diving for plates, running dive, lile-saving; Peggy Brown, first crocodile, 00 yards, long dive, life saving, and 100 yards (swimming events); Frudie Burwell, first 100 yards, high jump and three-leggfd race; old girls' race, Miriam Mills; old girls' swimming race, Florence Evans; mile visitor's race, Betty List. Preparatory championship—Jean Ramson Junior championship—Winsome Young. Lunner-up for senior championship— Mavis Brunette. Senir championship—Trudie Burwell. Preparatory swimming championship—livelyn Palmer. Junior swimming championship—Winsome Young. Brown 0 ' 3Wimming cllalß pionship—Peggy