THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 255, 19 December 1872, Page 5

THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

The Girls' High School closed the session for the year on Friday. In the schoolroom were several specimens of fancy work, writing, lace work, drawings in chalk, maps, chronological charts, with ornamental borders, woolwork, in a variety of forms, and some very tastefully-made white aprons. It is impossible to enumerate the elegant work tbat has been done in such abundance. Our jTandinothers and mothers used to point to what were known as 'samplers ; curious looking caricatures, after the manner of ancient tapestry. It must strike one with surprise to find how much the taste for the beautiful has been cultivated since their day, and still more that, considering the vast amount of intellectual work the cirls at the school hive to do, they have found time to turn their hands to fancy work. It has been truly said by some one, we forget whom, that women are "never idle, and it must be true, for none but workers could have done so much so welL

In the evening, the second Christmas reunion was held in the large hall of the boys' school. Professor Macgregor was in the chair. The room was crowded to excess, and we should suggest that in future a large, public room should be made use of for the purpose, and that some mode of selection of an audience should be adopted. This is proved necessary by the disorderly conditct of a few half-grown lads, who Laving taken possession of a certain portion of the hall, amu-ed themselves by annoying everyone by t'^eir boit-terousness. To such an extent, did they carry this rudeness, that it was almost impossible to hear what was going on. The evening's programme consisted of vocal and instrumental music, readings in class, and recitat ons in German and French. The vocal music was better selected and better rendered than last year. It was fortunate that Mr C. Begg had kindly lent his finetoned grand piano for the occasion, for no ordinary cottace instrument would have been heard, placed so low and surrounded by so dense a crowd. Several of the instrumental selections were well played. We noticed particularly a Tema by Mozart, in which great musical taste *vas shown, but there was a slight absence of decision. Decidedly the gem were "The Auld House," by Miss Helena Morse, and "Chilperic." a duet by Miss Annie Burn and Miss Morse. The continued hum kept up by some persons more interested in their own tetes-c't-tetes than in what was passing, prevented our hearing more than now and then a passing word of the German and Eveneh. The latter language (what we heard) was spoken with a pure accent. We cannot pronounce an opinion of the German.

The programme having been gone through,

The Chaikman said, before proceeding to the real business of the evening, he had been asked to say a few words with regard to what he had ceen of the work of the school. Some days ago Mrs Burn offered him some papers on physiology for examination. He sat down thinking his task would be easy, as there were only half a dozen, and he estimated to go through them in a forenoon. But he was deceived. He could not express the astonishment he felt at the way in which these girls showed that they understood the structure of the human body. He could see they bad no practical knowledge of anatomy ; that theKhad.jue™»>'^° J j l " :u^T : -*-V ] ' M^- jt^ 11 ' 1 « K "fie dm notsee why instruction m physiology should not be carried to that extent, fie' did not see why even the finest-looking girl in the room should not be acquainted with the functions of the heart and lungs and other organs of the human body. The question, if fully treated, would require for its elucidation a respectable volume ; but t^e papers written exhibited a comprehension and precision that showed they had given great attention to the subject. One paper was on the process of nutrition, and went so far as to describe fhe microscopic appearance of the structure of tha teeth! There were two girls for whom he entertained the highest respect. One wrote with great facility in clear, terse, and vigorous English. That was Miss Flora Muir, and had the merit of the paper depended upon the style in which it was written, it would have been the more satisfactory ; but as it was a question of physiology, Miss Isabella Shand was entitled to stand considerably ahead of the other.

Mr Hislop then read the following report by Mrs Burn ;—; —

During the session now about to close, I have endeavoured steadily to follow the object I had mainly in view when I entered on my duties as head of the Girls' High School. It has ever been my aim to impart to every pupil in the different classes the highest possible education, and with this view, the system pursued in each department has been much the same, as last year. The appointment of an additional assistant by the Education Board has enabled me to effect considerable improvement in the classification of the pupils, and to give more time to the teaching of some of the subjects than was formerly possible. In- the lowest department, the instruction imparted is necessarily somewhat elementary, but higher subjects are added from time to time as the pupils become qualified for them. In the youngest classes, the branches taught are much the same as last year, and comprise English, reading, spelling, penmanship, writing' from dictation, grammar, geography, history and needlework. Object lessons continue to be given once a week, and these form subjects for English composition. The object lessons have beenrenderedmuchmoreintepestingandeffective by the use of excellent diagrams, and a cabinet containing numerous specimens of manufactures, minerals, and other natural productions, &c, kindly furnished by the Education Board. In the more advanced classes, due attention is given to the indispensable subjects already mentioned, and to these are added lessons in grammatical analysis, paraphrasing, original composijbiou, $nd physical geography. The highest class hag also gone, through a course of elementary chemistry, jsoolpgy, and physiology. French continues to" be taught throughout the school. The attendance at the German class is not so large as I anticipated, or, as I hope, it will eventually become. In consequence of Mr Pope's illness, the German class is at present taught by Mr Beuoliler. X large proportion of the pupils have received muslo lessons from visiting teachers and the resident governess, and I have reason to believe thai the arrangements made by me in connection with this branch of instruction have proved satisfactory. The lessons given in drawing? and class-singing by the visiting masters have been much appreciated by the pupils, and many of them have made highly satisfactory progress in these branches. A number of the pupils have received lgssons in gymnastics and calisthenics from Mr Long, and in dancing from Mr Kelly. Written examinations in all the classes have been held quarterly. In connection with these examinations I have introduced a scheme for the granting of certificates c£ merit to every pupil who succeeds in gaining 80' per cent, of the attainable number of marks in each 'subject. Instead of giyjng a number of book prizes as formerly, 1 the fiotueaty>n -Board, at my suggestion, has agreed to grant cei&ncates of merit to all pupils whose names are placed in $he honor list at the Christmas examination just closed. To secure admission to .the honor list it is necessary that the pupil should gain, in the aggregate, at least 75 per cent, of the attainable number of mark* jp all the subjects, The object

of this system ,is to give the greatest possible encouragement to evety pupil, to excel, which cannot be so well done by the ordinary plan of awarding book prizes, except, perhaps, at a Ri-eat and unnecessary expense. I have the satisfaction to find that the practice of frequently talcing written results of the lessons gone over, and of awarding certificates of merit to those pupils who attain a certain degree of excellence, has proved highly beneficial in several respects. It has led ia increased assiduity on the part of the pupils, especially of those who were formerly disposed to be careless, and it has secured greater ease and accuracy of expression, and improved composition. lam able to report that, on a careful analysis of the year's work, I find evidence of very decided progress in all the classes without exception. The Education Board had kindly authorised the granting of a gold medal to the dux of the school. In the competition for this medal, the Misses Muir and Isabella Shand stood so very close to each other in the aggregate number of marka gained that I was forced to the conclusion that justice required their beiug ranked as equal I referred this question to Dr Sfaiart and Professor Macgregor, who both concurred in my decision. Instead of awarding a gold medal to one of these competitors, I have consequently resolved to give a silver medal to each of them. The Hon. Mr Holmes, Mr George TumbulL Provincial Treasurer, and a gentleman who does not wish his name to be published, have each given me a silver medal for the dux of ea?h of the other three classes. Miss F. Gillon is the dux of the second class, and Miss C. Coote holds the same position in the third class. In the fourth class, the same difficulty arose in the awarding of the medal as in the first class. Miss Priscilla Duncan gained the highest number of marks, but Miss Jessie Smith was only four marks below hei\ They may, therefore, be considered as equally deserving, and I have resolved to give a silver medal from myself to Miss Smith. Mrs S. Hawthorne has kindly presented a prize for French, which has been awarded to Miss Muir for French composition ; Messis Rcith and AVilkie, Young, and Jacobs have also presented prizes. My warmest thanks are due to the Education Board and to the friends who have so kindly presented medals and prizes on this occasion. I avail myself of this opportunity to express my thanks to all the teachers for their hearty cooperation, and for their faithful and untiring efforts on behalf of the school.

I may mention that the highest number of pupils enrolled during the year was 125. The average attendance has been 117.

The Rev. Dr. Stuart addressed a few words to the meeting expressive of the pleasure he felt at being present, and his surprise at seeing the improvement in the work done 'at the school as shown ia the exhibits.

Mrs Burn was presented with a pair of elegant flower-stands by the pupils as a token of their gratitude ; Miss Mackay with a pair of earrings from her class ; three vases by Miss Hill's class to that lady ; and to Miss Anderson a bouquet-holder. The followiujr is the list of certificatetakers. The figures represent the percentages obtained by each, viz :—: — First Class. —English History— B. Shand, F. Muir, 99 ; A Collinson, 97 ; M Collinson, 87 ; M. Sorley, 86 ;A. Allan, 84 ; A. Burn, 84 ; L. Brodie, 84 ; Stamper, 80 ; Mackworth, 77 ; Glasgow 75. General History— M. Collinson, 100 ; A. Collinson, 1 100 ; B. Shand, 99$ ;F. Muir, 98 ; Macki worth, 96 ; Allan, 88 ; Glasgow, 87 ; Sorley, 84; Burn, SO; Brodie, 79. Political Geography—B. Shand, 105 ;A. Collinson, 100 ; P. Muir, 100; Stamper, 94; Sorley, 82; Allan, 80; M. Collinson, 80. Physical Geography — F. Muir, 105 ; A. Colhiison, 100 ; B. .>hand, 100 ; Allan, 96 ; Glasgow, 96 ;M. Collinson, 95 ; Sorley, 91 ; Stamper, 89 ; Duff, 88 ; E. M. Smitn, 80 ; Burn, 78 General English— B. Shand, 88 ; F. Muir, 77. English Composition — Glasgow, 95 ; Duff, 90 ; F. Muir, 90 ; B. Shand, 86 ; A. Collinson, 82 : Morse, 81 ; K. M. Smith, 81 ; Allan, SO ; Chapman, SO ; M. Collinson, 79 ; G. Tewsley, 7S. Chemistry— M. Collinson, 91; A. Coliinsou, 86; B. Shand, 84 5 F. Muir, 82 ; A. Allan. 75. Second Class. — History, English — F. Gillon, 92 ; M. Allan, 92 ; A. Cutten. 87 ; J. Mill"- BA , x>n fi Banks, 83; S. Lubecki, 80; C. Carnegie, SO; T*.."crcn»,,*v, 5=.. a Campbell, 75. General History— A. Logan, 97; A. Cutten, 96; F. Gillon, 95; J. Flanagau, 94 ; L. Sorley, 94 ; C. Carnegie, 93 : J. Mills, 92 ; J. Cooke, 91 ; E. Calvert, 90; J. hislop, 90; S. Lubecki, 88; H. Cairns, 85 ; M. Allan. 84 ; C. Campbell, 84 ; IM. Watson, 79 ;R. faul, 78 ; A. Brewer, 76 ; C. Gow. 75 ;M. A. Duncan, 75. Geography — J. Flanasan, 93 ; M. Allan, 8S ; J. Tlislop, 86 ; J. Mills, 85 ; E. Calvert, 85 ; F. Gillon, 85; C. Carnegie, 83; Joanna Banks, 81; EL. Cairns, 81; A. Cutten, 81; J. CooUe, 81; L. Sorley, 7,9; S. Lubecki, 78 ; M. Watson, 78 ; A. Logau, 78 ; C. Campbell, 76; R. Paul, 75. Physical Geography— F. Gillon, 86 ; A. Cutten, 84 ; C. Carnegie, 82 ; A. Logan, 81 ; J. Flannagan, 76; J. Mills, 76; K. Paul, 75; L. Lnbecki, 75 ;L. Sorley, 75. Grammar— F. Gillon, 84; J. Mills, 83; A. Cutten, 82; M. A. Duncan, 82 ; S. Lubecki, 80 ; J. Cooke, 79 ; Joanna Banks, 78 ; C. Carnegie, 78; R. Paul, 76; J. Flannagan, 76; E. Calvert, 76 ; A. Logan, 75 ; J. Hislop, 75. French — A. Shand, S6; L. Lubecki, 83; J. Flannagan, 82 ; A. Cutten, 83 ; F. Gillon, 82; H. Cairns, 81 ; J. Mills, 80 ; M. Allan, 79 ; L. Sorley, 78 ; J. Hislop, 77; A. Logan, 77 ; M. Hastie, 77 ; A. Turnbull, 77 ; H. Bagley, 76 ; M. A. Duncan, 76 ; A. Brewer, 76 ;C. Gow, 76. Arithmetic— J. Cooke, 96 ; J. Mills, 90 ; M. Allan, 83 ; F. Gillou, 75 ; S. Lubecki, 75 ; Joanna Banks, 75 ; J. Bislop, 75. Third Class— History— Coote, 98 ; Little, 97 ; Watson, 95 j Smith, 94 ; Moss, 92 ; Fitchett, 89 ; Cassells, 88 ; J. Cairns, Grant, 79 ; Jones '77 ; Langmuir, 76. Geography —Little, 100; Cassells, M. Ross, 96; A. Fitchett, 94; Lees, Watson, 93 ; J. Smith, 89 ; Moss, Grant, M. Cairs, 87 ; J. Cairns, 86 ; Langmuir, 85 ; i oote, 84 ; Aitken, 78 ; fi\ Ross, Webb, 77. Gramnwr—Oasßells, Little, 97 ; E. Grant, M. Ross, 96 ; F. Row, Coote, 95 ; Webb, 94 ; Fitchett, 93 ; Watson, 92; Langmuir, 90; J. Cairns, Eaton, 89 ; Smith, 88 ; Lees, 86 ; Barber, Aitken, So ; Smeaton, 83 ; Trumble. Moss, 82 ; M. Cairns, Davis, 81 ; Russell, Pratt, Callendar. Object Lessons — Coote, 924 ; Little, 90 ; F. Ross, Grant, 84 ; Cassells, 80 5 Watson, 77. French— Coote, Smith; 94 ; Cassells, Lees. 92 ; Little, 88 ; Fitchett, 85 ; M. Rpss, 84 ; J. Cairns, 83; F. Ross, 82; Eaton, Grant, Watson, 81 ; Reynolds, 78 ; Trumble, Anderson, 76 • Moss, Webb, Barber. Tewsley, 75. Arithmetic-Coote, 95 ; Fitchett, 94 ; Cassells, Watson, 80 ; M 'Cairns, E. Little, Trumble, 76.

Fourth Class — History — A. Davies, 94 ; Jessie Smith, 93; R. Cutten, 92; Ruth Edwards, Prispilla Duncan, 91 ; Charlotte Reid, Amy Branigan, 88 j Mona Watt, 87 ; Jane Findlay, 83; Florence Tewsley, 79; Helena Sievwright, 78. Grammar —J. Smith, C. Reid, 88; P. Duncan, R. Edwards, 82 ; A. Davies, 79 ;H. Sievwright, ' 77 j J. Findlay, 75. Geography — J. k'indlay. 99 ; P. Duncan, 97 ; A. Branigan, J. Smith, R. Edwards, F. Tewsley, 96 ; M. Watt, 94 ; A. Davies, 91 ; E. Duncan, 89 ; E. Sievwright, 85 ; M. Cowie, M. Jones, R. Cutten, 84; M. M'Lean, A. Weldon, 82; C. Reid, 81 ; E. Strachan, 78. Objeot Lessons — J. Smith, 96 ; P. Duncan, 95 ; O. Reid, 94 ; R. Cutten, 93; A. Branigan, 92; A Davies, 91 ; R. Edwards, 89 ; E. Strachan, 87 ; J. findlay, 83 ; S. Strachan, 81 ; A. Weldon, 80 ; J. M'Lean,, E. Duncan, A. Levy, 79 ; .vl. Cowie, F. Tewsley, 75. French— P. Duncan, 80 ; 'A. Davies, 76 ; Smith, 75. Arithmetic— v. Findlay, 100 jR. ■ Duncan, 96 ; A. Davis, H. Sievwright, R. gotten, 95 ; K. Edwards, 94 ; Ml M'Lean, 88 ;F. Smith, 87; U. Reid, M. jDowie, &3; ' A. Branigan, 82 ; A. Weldon, 81 j M, ' Joneß, Btf j S. Strachan, 78.

« Special prjzes for musio were presented by Miss Bell to Helena Morse, and by Mr Lees to Miss Smith. After the prizes had been presented, the national anthem was sung, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.