Speech Night

Speech Night at Westleigh College was the grand climax of the school year.

It occurred just before we broke up for the Christmas holidays and it was always held at the Northcote Town Hall.

We always wore our usual school uniform with white socks, not tan socks.

It was the one time all the teachers dressed up, maybe had their hair done, and wore some makeup.

It was also a time when all the parents, including fathers, generally made an appearance.

The main purpose of Speech Night was, I think, to reward outstanding pupils in all the fields taught: both academic and sport.

As well as that it gave Miss Clarice a chance to give a review of the school to all involved.

Yes, there were actually speeches!

I don't recall Miss Lillian Everard or Matron ever giving a speech, however.

The speeches and award presentations happened at the end.

Before speech time the parents were treated to seeing their daughters sing the songs Madame Northcote had taught them, and also the routines Miss Vera Hopton had prepared the girls to do.

After a lot of rehearsals the standard was very high.

This was done on a class by class basic.

It was not uncommon for solo performances also. Since so many of the girls were ballet and dance students there were always a few of these routines as well.

Many of the girls attended the May Downs' school which used to be in Burke Street back then. It's still going to this day.

I think I enjoyed these the most.

When all the performances were over the stage was set for the speeches and awards.

As well as a speech from Miss Clarice we usually also heard a speech by the then Mayor of Northcote, who, as far as I can recall, was a Mr Batrouney.

Books were usually rewarded to whoever reached the highest academic level for each grade and small silver trophies were awarded to the athletes and swimmers who had shone that year.

The books had a a presentation certificate pasted inside the cover, as shown above.

This was signed by Miss Lillian Everard and Miss Clarice. A book with a certificate is still in my possession.

A large trophy was awarded to the winning House: either Westgarth or Thornton.

I recall Westgarth almost always won.

Considering the size of the school there was quite a lot of talent there!

The Teachers I Remember - Part Two

As well as having teachers who taught us the basics we also had specialist teachers who taught us Singing, Art, Sport and Physical Education.

Each teacher came on a specific day and taught each class.

Miss Hazel Goddard taught art, or rather exhibited her talent by drawing a picture on the blackboard which we all had to copy.

Whoever got their picture as close to Miss Goddard's as possible was considered to be very good at art. It was extraordinary!

No room for individual creativity unless Miss Goddard decided, at her whim, that we could draw what we wanted.

Most of our work was done in a sketch pad with our Derwent pencils, or in a pastel book using Reeves Pastels.

The older girls also did painting with water colors.

She may have been a talented artist because she had exhibited in the Herald Outdoor Art Show,,,,or so we were told.

For singing we had Madame Freda Northcote.

Madame Northcote was a delightful woman. She was pretty, very stylish and could sing very well indeed. I have no idea how old she was back then: it's hard to guess.

She taught each class a song that would be featured at Speech Night as well as other ones which we sang during the year. We all learned a Christmas carol for Speech Night as well. We had a professional pianist to accompany us but I cannot remember her name.

I especially recall her teaching us "Getting To Know You" from the "King and I" musical which she performed with us that year.

On Speech Night Madam Northcote dressed up in her finest. She always looked beautiful and ageless.

Madame Northcote is referenced here. This document, page 8, is dated 1982. She is also referenced here.
It is a clipping from the Age dated February 16, 1940 - well and truly before I was born!

We also did Physical Education which I would now consider a mixture of calisthenics, dancing and even a bit of drama.

We were taught by one of the best, Miss Vera Hopton.
 

There are references to Miss Hopton here and here.

The latter suggests a trophy for calisthenics has been named after her.

Miss Hopton was a very pleasant woman who taught us all these things while she played the piano!

I don't recall her ever getting angry with anyone, but then again Madame Northcote didn't either.

We all had to change into our sports uniform for Miss Hopton's classes. This consisted of white shorts, white blouse and white runners. If you were very lucky you wore proper ballet shoes, preferably pink!

Since many of the girls went to ballet and dance classes outside school hours this is what was generally worn.

Miss Hopton also had to prepare a Speech Night item with each class, just like Madame Northcote did, but she never performed with us.

She did, however, play the piano for all the items she taught us.

I am certain we had a sports teacher as well who taught us basket ball, high jump, running etc etc but I cannot remember any names. 

The position changed a bit when I was there. The job of the sports teacher was to prepare us for the annual sports day at McDonnel Park.

We also learned swimming from Mr Fogg at the Northcote Baths. I am sure they have improved since I was there! We all tried very hard to get our Herald: Learn to Swim Certificate and I think we also had a swimming sports day as well.

See also The Colouring-in Book Craze Explained.