Christchurch Secondary Schools, Te Waipounamu Girls. This is one of a series of 12 broadcasts, narrated by Fred Hyde. Each features interviews and scripted speeches, with some school music items, presenting one of the prominent Christchurch secondary schools to the rest of New Zealand. This episode focuses on Te Waipounamu Māori Girls College.
Fred Hyde introduces the programme and describes the school buildings and grounds and Mrs. Daniels the Principal gives a detailed outline of the school which has a role of 38 girls. The Right Reverend A. K. Warren, the Bishop of Christchurch and warden of the college, gives a detailed history of the school.
The students perform a waiata poi, 'Paehia Paehia' and the Head Prefect, Te Ama Tuuta, who comes from the Chatham Islands, talks about her courses and aspirations to go to Teachers' Training College next year.
The school Sports Captain Hana Poutu from Tolaga Bay, talks about her duties. She will be going to Ardmore Training College next year.
The girls perform a chant "Takiri, takiri, takiri."
An unnamed student reads the inscription on a plaque presented to the school during the Second World War in recognition of the deeds of the 28th Māori Battalion. John Stuart, a former Chairman of the Board gives his recollections of the school's history.
In the sewing room several students are spoken to: Mahara Carmen of Christchurch, Hine Warren from Wellington, Ruhirangi Tonga [?] from Taumarunui (all sewing dresses for their cousins), Atawai Brown from the Chatham Islands and Ngaio Bolton from Roxborough Hydro. Ramona [unclear ?] from Waihi [?] is working on taniko work and explains how it is done. Jeanette Page from the Chatham Islands also speaks briefly.
In the art room an unnamed art teacher talks about the art curriculum and the work the girls do on Māori subjects. Miss Tahiwi talks about her role at the school. She is the head of all things Māori at the college. She teaches Māori language and music, action songs and traditional and lighter modern waiata, weaving, taniko work and history. She says the South Island girls are particularly interested in these areas. They also learn some traditional Māori games, one of which she explains.
The students perform a series of well-known Māori choruses, led by Hana Poutu.
The playing fields are dedicated to Lieutenant Ngarimu V.C.and marked with a plaque and a flagpole. Several students talk about the houses at Te Waipounamu Girls College, who are in charge of housekeeping and meals in turn. The speakers are: head of Te Arawa House [name unclear], Ani [?] Rogers from Te Puke, the head of Mātaatua House who hopes to go nursing next year. Huia Tau is head of Takitimu House. She is from Tuahiwi and hopes to go teaching next year. The head of Tainui House is Ngahuia Ward from Leeston, who is also going nursing.
The matron, Mrs Shrubsill [?] talks about her time at the college and a girl describes the process of dissection in biology class.
In the chapel, which has exterior walls made of of punga trunks, the students sing a hymn 'Tama ngakau marie'; and R. O. Greenwood, present chairman of the Board talks about the running of the college.