GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 13, 13 December 1932, Page 2

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL REPORT EOIt 1932.

The principal of the Girls’ High School (Mrs M. Rhodes, M.A.) will submit the following report oil the past year to the chairman of the uoard of governors at the annual piesentation of prizes : —“1 have the honour to present the thirteenth annual report of the Girls’ High ischoob J lie total enrolment this year fins been 209 j while last year the highest number reached was 261, This was made up of 163 pupils returned to the school and 106 new pupils, J lie highest number on the roll at any one time was 264. The average utteiulanoo for the year is estimated at 219.7, “At the end of 1931 64 pupils gained their senior free place by recommendation, one gained senior free place by examination, 15 were awarded an extension of junior free place, five passed the Public Service entrance examination, 19 passed matriculation, three passed the Training College entrance examination, while five obtained partial passes; 14 obtained higher leaving certificates and our one candidate for University entrance scholarship was placed on the credit list; two girls passed the Government short-hand-typists’ examination and our one candidate passed the Chamber or Commerce examination in bookkeeping- “ During this year the scholastic standard has been well maintained. All our candidates for the term’s examination for Ist section B.A. and Ist section B.Coin. were successful. This says a great deal for the quality of the teaching they receive, as it means that a wide range of subjects are taken to a very, high standard. The work for B.Com. has not previously been undertaken by the scliool as girls have not required it. But with the blocking (we hope only temporarily) of the teaching profession, able and ambitious girls have turned their attention to other fields, and our staff is well able to' cope with the work. At Clio same time, we are extending the usefulness of the commercial course by preparing girls for tire Government shorthandtypists’ examination, and for the various examinations held under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce.

“Old girls of the school continue to do well. Miss Betty Sheppard has again distinguished herself by being awarded a travelling scholarship by the University, of New Zealand. I should like to emphasise, however, that the school does not by any means limit itself to a narrow scholastic curriculum, and various courses are arranged to suit the varying needs of the girls. It is, however, very generally recognised now that a sound general education is required before intensive specialised work is undertaken, if the pupil is to attain any high standard of excellence in ner special subject and this is provided by the school whatever course the pupil undertakes, whether professional, general, commercial, or domestic. Barents may rely on most careful prepartion for their daughters, whatever their future career is to be. “There have been two changes on the staff since last year. Miss Eastwood was appointed to the position of principal of the Invercargill Girls’ High School. Her departure was a great loss to the school, but her Jiosition is being ably filled by Miss Robinson, M.A., who came to this school from Dunedin. At the end of the first term Miss E. Rainforth, who had been promoted to Grade C, was appointed to a C position on the staff of the Dunedin Girls’ L gh School. Miss Turner, M.A., was appointed in her place. “Special attention is paid at the school to the general physical development of the pupils. In addition to the work done by the teacher of physical culture, various mistresses devote a great deal of time outside scliool hours to the training of the girls in various branches of sport, notably swimming, tennis, basketball, hoskey, and the school is most fortunate in having not only unequalled facilities for physical development, but also skilled enthusiasts to assist the girls. In swimming we have this year a record number of awards for life saving and distance swimming. Our basketball team won the championship of the Manawatu for both Saturday and AVednesday competitions, and hold the Robert Cup. They also won both inter-school matches against AATuiganui Girls’ College and Dannevirko High School. Our hockey team has not been so successful, mainly because so few girls now play hockey that it is extremely difficult to get a team together. As a result, we lost both the Bennett Cup and the llodder Shield this year. Our tennis is developing well. The hard courts are assisting to develop a harder and faster game. AA’e lost to AVa.nganui Girls’ College after a hard match and lost our first match against Dannevirke High School, but in our second match with Dannevirke High School, played recently, we were victorious, winning every set. A very pleasing feature is the interest and enthusiasm shown in this game by the junior school, the girls of which, under skilful coaching, are beginning to show form which is very promising indeed for the future.

“At the end of 1931 the school science laboratory was refitted, with the result that a great improvement is shown in the practical science work.

“The Parents’ Association continues to give great assistance to the school. Under its auspices a garden fete was held early in the year, resulting in the raising of a considerable sum for the school funds. We have now but one outstanding need, the assembly hall, and our efforts from new on will be devoted to repaying the loan from the hall fund, and raising further funds to complete the work. “In common with other boarding de. partments, School House lias suffered from the prevailing depression. We draw our boarders from the rural districts, where the results of the depression have been most severely felt. However, we must hope for more support 'for the coming year.

“In view of the prevailing uncertainty, a few general remarks may not be out of place. With the return to more normal times there will be a demand for the services of girls, and in the competition for positions that will ensue the best equipped will be the fortunate ones. I would impress on parents that it is much better to have their children at school while waiting. They can improve their equipment and" employ their time profitably. To spend the waiting time in idleness would be folly. “In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the members of the staff for their wholehearted assistance and co-operation in all matters affecting the welfare of tho school. I should like also to place on record my deep appreciation of the unfailing kindness and courtesy which has been extended to me by tho Board of Governors.”