New Headmistress says on Speech Day

Grammar girls could show more initiative in their choice of careers

COMMENTING on the careers chosen by Aberdare Grammar School girls on leaving school, the new headmistress, Miss Tydfil Jones, M.A., said at the annual Prize Day, “These I would describe as very safe choices and I feel there could be more initiative and sense of adventure on the part of our pupils.”

Of the 44 pupils who left school during the year under review, eight entered universities, eight entered teacher training colleges, 17 took up clerical employment, two entered domestic science colleges, one entered the Civil Service, four nursing, one banking and three laboratory work.

Miss Jones added: “It need hardly be stressed that examination results are one very important facet of the life of a grammar school. In a world that calls increasingly for specialised knowledge and skill, it is in the pupil’s own interests to get the best possible qualifications.”

On checking the Advanced Level results for 1963-64, she was pleased’ to find that the Aberdare girls had registered a 90 per cent pass. Twenty girls took examinations in a total of 52 subjects and 47 subjects were gained with ‘A’ Level grades.

16 DISTINCTIONS

“Some of the grades were very good. 10 of them reaching distinction mark: Susan Clatworthy had a distinction in Botany; Christine Griffiths a distinction .in English; Elizabeth Gudgel, distinction in Botany and Zoology with a distinction on the Special Paper in Zoology; Christine Howells a distinction in Zoology with a distinction on the Special Paper; Janet James a distinction in Domestic Subjects; Mai Jones distinctions in Botany and Zoology with a distinction on the Special Paper in Zoology; Beryl White distinctions in Botany and Zoology with a distinction on the Special Paper.

In line with these results, Mai Jones won an Open Scholarship to Aberystwyth University, Elizabeth Gudgel, Mary Harries and Christine Howells gained Miners’ Welfare Scholarships and Jennifer Church was given a George Hall Scholarship.

“At Ordinary Level, also, the results were on the whole pleasing, 86 out of 88 girls gaining certificates, 23 of them having seven or more subjects on them.

“The high percentage of passes both at ‘A’ and ‘O’ Level reflect on the one hand the ability and devotion of the teaching staff and on the other the hard work put in by the girls themselves,” said Miss Jones. “They are to be congratulated on their efforts.”

ACADEMIC ‘STARS’

“I should like to offer our congratulations to the following past students who during 1963-64 won academic distinctions for themselves and reflected some of their glory upon this school which nurtured them: Miss Wendy Jones (1st Class Honours Mathematics), Miss Gaynor Williams (Upper Second in Physiology), Miss Leah Jones (Upper Second in Geography), and Miss Christine Price (Upper Second Mathematics).”

The new headmistress continued: “While examination results are a very important form of achievement, there is more in school life than that. Undoubtedly a vigorous corporate life within the school bestows great benefit upon the pupils, enriching their minds and developing their personalities. Universities, Training Colleges and employing authorities attach a good deal of importance to these out-of-school activities.

“Not only is a pupil expected to work conscientiously in school and at her homework, but she also is expected to maintain an interest in current affairs to develop a skill, recreation and pastime which will broaden her mind. I know that this is sometimes asking a lot, but the real test of a girl’s character is the way in which she harmonises these competing claims on her time and attention. I would say that only the best and most worthwhile pursuits are good enough to fill this time. And I want to emphasise that point for the benefit of our pupils.”

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Miss Jones then went on to mention various activities — the history society, science society, Christian Union branch, and the School Guide Company.

“Even apart from these societies which met regularly, there has been a host of other activities. A splendid response was shown to the Freedom from Hunger Campaign where the girls showed commendable initiative in co-operating with the boys in this respect. In addition there had been theatre visits, a visit to a home for mentally handicapped children and a school trip to France.

“All these activities again reflect the hard work of the staff and pupils and I would like them to know that they are appreciated and are considered most valuable.

“Another aspect of school life which I find most heartening is the vigour of the Old Girls’ Association. The year 1963-64 was an exceptional one insofar as it saw the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the School. This was marked by the production of a most interesting Jubilee Brochure which gave a faithful reflection of the evolution of the school over the years; by the presentation of an enjoyable play and by the arrangement of a dinner which marked the climax of the Jubilee celebrations.

“It speaks remarkably well for the vigour of the Old Girls’ Association that they were able to make all three of these ventures outstanding successes thereby emphasising the importance of this milestone in the life of the school. I hope that this association will continue to flourish and that all our school leavers will take out membership thereby maintaining a link with a period in their lives which they will be bound to realise is a formative one.

“On such occasions as this, it is customary for head-teachers to express their appreciation of the work of their staffs. I do so with complete sincerity for it has been brought home forcibly to me time and time again that the successful working of a school depends upon the staff working together as a team.

FEEL AT HOME

“Though I have been at this school only four weeks I already feel at home largely because everyone has been so kind to me. I hope that in the future we as a school will not only maintain the standard I have outlined here this afternoon but will go on adding to it. It is my aim to give all the pupils a full and rounded education so that they may go forth from this school richer and better for having known it. Let us all work together for the realisation of that aim.”

The report included mention of the retirement of Miss Winifred Sharp after giving more than 20 years’ service to the school as Latin mistress, and as Deputy Headmistress for three years.

The new headmistress, referring to the retirement of Dr. D. L. Graham, said that mention of this would be made in the 1964-65 report in the next Speech Day, which she hoped to hold towards the end of 1965.