GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1920, Page 7

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

■ BREAK-UP CEREMONY. DISTRIBUTION OE PRIZES. The New Plymouth Girls' High School annual breaking-up ceremony and distri. button of prizes toofc,.j»!aee last, night at the Assembly Half <jf tfie Boys' fechoolj.Sind there was* iarsf attendance : of parents arid-*friendi of the school Among those .Assembled-on the platform were included the chairman of the Board of Governors (Mr. L. C. Sladden) and Mrs. Sladden, the Mayor (Mr. P. E. Wilson) and Mrs. Wilson, the Principal (Mis 3 Barr), members of the staff and members of the board. An apology for absence was received from his Honor Sir Bassett Edwards, who was to have been a speaker at the function, but was unable to attend owing to duties necessitating his proceeding to Wanganui yesterday. On behalf of the school the chairman offered to all a very hearty welcome, and he said it was with a groat deal of gratification that they noticed so many present. It was an encouraging factor to those directly concerned in the management of the school to note the large attendances with which the gatherings were invariably favored. In addition to this the board had had the heartiest support from the people of the town and surroundings districts, and he trusted it would always be so. The fact that the school had gone on well and happily throughout the year went without saying, said the speaker. One difficulty was the shortage of accommodation, and the classrooms were taxed severely. Although the Department had been moderately liberal—perhaps as much so as possible— the room available was not nearly sufficient. Next year's girls' function would probably take place in a hall of their own, though it would not be of the ample proportions that were needed. Another very great difficulty, and one which had been felt even more severely than the problem of classrooms,, was the shortage of accommodation for boarding pupils The house, which had been leased, had been taxed to its utmost capacity since the commencement of the lease. Support from the Department in the direction of erecting a hostel, was, for the preser.t, out of the question. As parents probably knew, however, the board had a site, and when times became more favorable the erection of a house would become possible.

Mr. Sladden expressed the gratitude of the school and that of the board to the Old Girls' .Association for the active steps taken to assist in the matter of the hostel. When the Minister of Education visited the town he offered a £ for £ subsidy up to £7OOO. The association had made an excellent beginning in raising funds, but it would be some time before the. total would be reached He hoped, however, that the last of the donations had not yet been reached. To no higher objects could gifts be given than for the provision of accommodation at a school such as theirs. Country people in 'particular should be interested in the matter. To the problem of providing school tuition under proper disciplihe and environment for country children there was only the one solution, namely, the hostel system, which should be developed -to the 'highest possible point. The speaker said ho believed the Education Department was beginning to realise this fact.

The chairman expressed the gratitude of the board for the hearty, excellent, and loyal service which Miss Barr had given to the school (Applause.)- Much of the success of a school was due to the Principal and staff, and this case was no exception. The speaker coneluded by expressing, best wishes to the pupils for the success of their holiday. Dr. fookes, the senior member of the board, remarked that the report must make all feel proud of the school. The success achieved was a sufficient vindication of the inauguration of the separate schools for the boys and girls. The fact that the supply of pupils was far in excess of the accommodation available was was an ample criterion of the popularity of the school. All members of the board joined in expressing their sincere regard for tho work carried out by the principal and staff, and congratulated them on the success of their efforts during the last year.

In some appropriate remarks addressed to the pupils, Dr. Fookes reminded them thai their school training was intended to fit them for their duties in after life, in whioh they would have various responsibilities-,' and he urged all to work with this in view. The presentation of prizes was an interesting event. As the various winners came forward they were accorded hearty applause by their schoolfellows and all present. A number of girls who were particularly successful in the matter of carrying off the honors in their respective spheres were given special ovations. The school prizes were presented by Mrs. Sladden, and winners of the sport's competitions received their trophies at the hands of the Mayoress.

During the evening the proceedings were- interspersed with musical items by pupils af the school, and eome very creditablp performances in elocutionary, instrumental and vocal numbers were heard.

REPORT, 1920. Tte report presented by the Principal (Miss Barr) stated:— The school year just ended has been .marked by soujnd progress and very satisfactory results. The number of pupils on the roll for the three terms has been 179, 177 and 180, Inclusive of pupils In the preparatory department, the roll numbers for which have been 48, 49 and 50. The attendance during the first a,nd tlird terms of the year has not been so good as usual, owing to the prevalence of severe colds, and during the first term it was found necessary to close the school for ten days owing to a mild epidemic of influenza. I would again urge upon parents the necessity for regular attendance if good work Is to result. Where it is not a. question of a girl's health, outside interests during school time should not be allowed to interfere with her attendance at school. During tte year there are fully fourteen weeks set apart as holidays, and, I am sure it will be ad mltted that that is sufficient without adding odd days and weeks.

Two changes in the staff took place at the beginning of the year. M!»s Sheat was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation or Miss Lennon, and Miss Park was appointed mistress. in the preparatory school In place of Miss Palrbroth#, wto resigned at the end of last year" M'ss G. Barnett, a former pupil of tho school, Has been assisting in the preparatory department, but is leaving to take up nursing Our examination results have again been very satisfactory. All pupils in standard VI passed their examination, nijie gaining proficiency certificates and two competency. One girl obtained a junior national scholarship, and three junior free places. In the senior national -scholarship examination our candidates were very successful, three obtaining scholarships and five qualifying, five out of nine candidates who failed to pa3s the inspectors' test in the preceding August passed U,, '-««..rfi.,« «vaminatlon. Of thirteen

candidates nine nassefl the matriculation exnmlnation • and solicitors' general knowledge, while seven of these passed medical preliminary In addition; two candidates obtained partial passes and two failed. Nine girls obtained lower Icavjng, and Ihreo higher leaving certificates. The lower leaving certificate is given to girls who have covered the matriculation syllabus, whether i|iey sit for the examination or not. It gives special privileges to a girl entering the teaching profession. The higher leaving certificate Is given for work which Is at least a year hi advance of that required for matriculation. It also carries special privileges to those entering the teaching profession, and entitles the holder to free classes at a university. Both certificates are valuable, and mark a standard of work accomplished, while they carry in addition the recommendation of the principal as to conduct, industry and progress. The day is probably not far distant when theao certificates will take the place of same of the public examinations, and the advantages of such an arrangement so far its giris are concerned would be very great.

Last of our list of successes, but by no means least, is the junior university scholarship, won by Leila Hurle, who is the first girl from the New Plymouth Hlgb School to gain a university scholarship. During theyear she won the Earl of Meath's Empire! Challenge Cup for essay writing, and, lOj addition, was placed 11th out of 424 candidates in the Hoyal Colonial Institute's essay competition for the secondary schools of tht Empire. The school is justly proud of the tonor brought to it by these successes. Before passing from the subject of exaninations I would again urge the necessity of a sound scholastic equipment for girls entering the teaching profession. I should like to see all these girls pass matriculation before leaving school, and this can be done by the average girl after a four years' course at a High School. If parents realised the advantages to be gained by a four years' course, I am sure that fewer girls would ieave at the end of their third year. from tie scholastic results sained by a longer course at school, a girl Is better lilted by her age and experience to recognise the value of Ideals in her life's work. Scholastic attainments aro very desirable, but they are of real value in life only when coupled with a true sense ot the responsibilities life brings, and the knowledge of how to cope with them. It is only as a girl grows older that she realises this, and therefore I would urge tte addition of the fourth year for girls who enter our school, and especially for those who intend to become teachers and nurses. Such a course would be a great benefit to the girls themselves, and wou|\d give a pleasing ,knowledge to the teachers of good work accomplished from the point' of view both of scholarship and of characterbuilding.

|* I should like to see more of tie parents of the girls, not to talk over trivial matters of routine, but to discuss questions of interest to the pupils. There should be cooperation between the school and the home, and conferences between teacher and parent often lead to tho clearing away of misunderstandings that make a serious difference to a girl's life at school and afterwards. The boarding school Has been taxed to its utmost all the year. Unfortunately, owing to the lack of accommodation, at the beginning of the year some thirty pupils had Jo be turned away from the school. Until further boarding accommodation is provided, the school roll cannot increase, and there is always the danger that it will decrease. It has been a joy to Teallse the sound progress and growth of the school, and the unavoidable '■set-back it; has received through lack of accomodation has been somewhat disheartening, especially to those of us who realise how difficult It will be to recover the ground lost. Our grateful thanks are due to the old girls of the school for ttelr splendid offer of assistance in raising the n'.ouey required to build a new boarding school in our own grounds. The Department has promised a £ for £ subsidy on all money raised up to £7500, and I hope and trust that when the old girls put Into action the plans they have formed for next year, we will get our share of support and imcour-l agement. Only those of us who are giving to our arduous task energy and ti ought unstinted, know the Impetus and incentive given by a reallsat'on that the people among whom we-are working are interested in the progress of the school, and are with us in our endeavors for their children. The health of the boarders has been excel-j lent, and I attribute this to our healthy! situation at Strandon, and the Increased interest taken by he girls !.n their games, which, I am convinced, benefit them mentally as well as physically. Apart from their ordln- j nry school games, several girls have won distinction In swimming. Marjorle Sladden and Prances Brown have obtained the award of merit, utile. bronze medals donated by the Royal Humane Society, are to be presented t> Margaret and Frances Drown.Almost two years ago these girls—at considerable risk to their own lives—rescued two of their school-fellows from drowj'ng at Fitzroy. The lncideut goes to prove th.it we are producing in our schools girls who aro self-reliant and resourceful, and who can hi relied upon in an emergency. As both girls have how come to tho end of their seViol careers, I would like to take this oppnrtunIty of expressing my gratitude to the.u for their very brave and unselfish deed, Our bcancb of the Navy League continues to increase. The members of the Junior National Eejsdrve have throughout tho year tended the graves of soldiers In tho local cemetery, and on several occasions have helped at functions In connection with the women's branch. At a small sale of work held on Sports Day, tho sum of £4? was raised, part of which is to be sent to Dr. j Barnardo's Homes and part to tte" Chinese Girls' School at Canton. '

The Minister of Education paid a visit to the school in May of this year, and agreed to make a grant sufficient to enable us to have a teachers' common room added and the school assembly hall enlarged. These additions will be a great boon to u3, nuking the organisation of the school eaaler, and at the same time giving us oiucb needsi additional space. This year we have again to thank Mr. Moyes for allowing us the use of his hall. Next year I hope wa shall be able to hold all our school functions In our own building. I have to thank Mrs. A. M. Thomson, Mrs. Mullon, Mr. Hutchen and Mr. Sladden for very generously donating special prizes; also all those who subscribed to our sports fund: Mrs. Hutchen, Mrs. Robertson, Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Stiirrock and some of the pupils of the school for gifts of books and mugarines for thd library. My sincere thanks are due to the Board of Governors, at whose hands I have received every assistance and consideration. I would also express my gratitude to the members of my staff, botb a; the school and at the house, for their willing assistance and their loyal co-operation, and to the prefects, whose assistance has been very helpful to me.

PRIZE LIST, 1920. PREPARATORY SCHOOL. Standard H.—Class prize: N. Nolan. General progress: E. Grover. Standard Hl.—Class prtee: B. Balliarry. Standard IV.—Class prize: L. McDiarmM. Nature study and general prolloleniy ■ PFltzherbert. Standard V.—Class prize: D. Willis. General efficiency: E. Blundell (Miss IMrk's prize) Standard Vl.—Class prize: F. Nieho.son. UPPER SCHOOL. Form 111 Commercial— B. Foreman: Ist Encash, French, history, home science, mathematics, drawing. L Ballantyne: Ist bookkeeping. M. Ross: General proficiency. I. Bell: Special prize for progress. Form 111 General.—L. Bell; Ist English, French, history, science. F. Worn: Ist mathematics. B. Sumner: Ist Latin. M. Armltage, R. Hawkins: General proficiency. Form rVI).—J. Musker: Ist English, history, geography, home science. SI. Smut: Ist mathematics. V. Hnrkev: Ist French. Form IVa.—D. Fox: Ist English, Latin, French, history, mathematics, I'ome science (Mrs. Thomson's prize). K. Morris: Second In form. A. Petcn: Third in form. R. Day: General proficiency, M. McLeod: General nroficleney. Form Vb.—l. Blthell: Ist mathematics, Ist (equal) English. M. Marx: Ist history. M, Olson: Ist French, Ist (equal) English. S. North: Ist home science. Fan V«.—S. Whits: lat Encii«i> "•»'

I French, Ist (equal) Latin, Ist tome science. |G. Day: Ist (eqal) Latin. M. Downes: Ist mathematics. M. Held: Ist history. E. McMillan: Ist botany, lat googniphy. N. reach: Ist drawing (Mr. Bradbury's prize). Form Vlb.—A. Wilson: Ist English, Latin, ffreneh, mathematics, botany. E. Heycock: lat home science. E. Mullon: 2nd English, Latin, mathematics. M. Thomson: 2nd French, botany. Form Via.—W. Downes: Ist Latin, Ist mathematics. P. Brown: Ist home science.

SPECIAL PRIZES: Cookery: E. Foreman. Needlework: E. Bellringer. Mr. Hutchen's prize for essay: E. Mullon. Mr. Sladden's prizes for mathematics: A. Wilson and D. Fox. Mrs. Mullon's special prize for diligence: P. Mason. Dr. Pookcs' cup for proficiency in sctool work and sports.—P. Brown. Prefects' prize: School, E. Ballantyne; h use, F. Brown. Miss Barr's prize for development of character: P. Cameron. Old Girls' cup for excellence in school work: A. Wilson. Dux of school: Boban Bell. BPORT& PRIZE LIST, 1920. SWIMMING. Preparatory Events.—K. Syltes: Ist width (under 11). M. Mawkes: Ist breast stroke. K. Blanchett: Ist one length. E. Palmer: Preparatory diving, neat header, corfu dive; also Ist wet weather race. M. Hutchen: Preparatory championship; Ist back-stroke. Junior Events.—L. Bell: Ist maiden race. E. Cannell: Ist dog paddle. A. Sraalley: '2.id long dive, crocodile race, breast-stroke Cruifner-up far junior <|bampSonship). K. Aitken: Ist 2 lengths, 1 length egg and spoon ra«e, breast-stroke, long dive and plunge .(winner of junior championship). Senior IWents.'-iP. Mason: Ist egg and spoon riutf. G. IMCaJluni: l|it blindfold race and dog paddle. M. Smart and C. Hiisell: Ist crocodile race. M. Retd: Ist backstroke swimming; also Ist sack race, three-legged race and tortoise bicycle race. D. Brown, F. Cfflmeron, M. Thomson, E. Ballantyne (form VI): Winners of forms' relay race. M. Thomson: Ist long divo, plunge and diving for plates. D. Brown: lat breaststroke, 3 lengths, 1& lengths and running dive. ATHLETICS.

Preparatory Events.—A. Eberlet: Ist hoop race. P. Fitzherbert: Ist sack race. B. Balharry: Ist skipping race. F. Nicholson and F. Washer: Ist three-legged race. I Lysons: Ist 50 yards (under 11). N. Palmer: Ist hurdles. 0. Firth: Ist. high jump. D. Willis: Ist egg and spoon race, 10 yards, potato race; also beginners' swimming race. Junior Events: R. Chandler and M. Gatenby: Ist three-legged race. L. Ballantyne: Ist hurdles and potato race, J. Itamson: Ist 100 yards and 220 yards (runner-up for junior championship.) B. Hawkins: Ist high , Jump and 440 yards.' Senior Events.—G. Godfrey: Ist egg and spoon race. A. Wilson: Ist three-needle race. W. Jlaqe: Ist throwing, cricket Hall. B. Death: Ist potato race. M. Thomson, E. Ballantyne, F. Cameron, W. Downes (form VI) : Winners of fcjrnt ralay race. M. Thomson: Ist three-legged race and hurdles. E. Ballantyne: Ist obstacle race and ttreadneedle. P. Cameron: Ist high jump, 100 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards. Old Girls' race: Miss K. Wood. Junior tennis championship: L. Ballantyne. Senior tennis championship: E. Ballantyne. Senior swimming championship: D. Brown. Preparatory athlette championship: D. Willis. Junior athletic championship: B. Hawkins. Senior athletlo championstlp: P. Cameron. Old Girls' challenge cup: E. Ballantyne.