Narma Woodards

The girls’ technical schools grew from the central schools which had been established to provide courses for the non-academic students. Soon it was found that the subjects available appealed to some very bright girls and their parents. English, arithmetic, history/social studies, science, art, dressmaking, needlework, home science, millinery, bookkeeping, shorthand and typewriting were the main subjects taught and physical education was in the hands of the physical education teacher. During the first year all girls followed the same course but, at the end of the year, they chose either to become commercial students who did either dressmaking or art as a craft. General students continued with art, home science and dressmaking as well as their academic subjects.

One of those early schools was Norwood Girls Technical School on a site which was of great historical interest. The school had been built on one of the earliest vineyards near Adelaide. There was still one of the original vines growing behind the old two storey house. Every year it produced a few bunches of incredibly sour green grapes, despite being neglected and unwatered. The two storey building was one of the original buildings on the property. Before the school took this over – some years before – some of the early trainees for domestic science teaching lived and slept upstairs and then came down stairs to the big kitchen area that had taken over the downstairs part of the house.¹⁷ There was also another small old building, once a house, where the commercial classes were held.

Girls were encouraged to enter exhibits in the Royal Adelaide Show and the younger teachers would set off on public transport laden with needlework, dressmaking, art work and millinery. None of us could afford cars in those days. I well remember trailing across the park lands laden with show entries, followed by a drunk coming off night shift, sobbing bitterly and, between sobs, gulping out, ‘They’ve killed ‘im. I knew they would.’ Sob, sob. ‘Phar Lap’s dead.’ This was April 5th 1932.

As well as the Royal Show, work was exhibited in the school on Open Day held once a year. Other local schools, parents and friends were invited to visit in the afternoon and evening. The whole school was open for inspection. Parents were welcome to talk with any staff members and to have a cup of tea or coffee. A special sit-down afternoon tea was served to official guests with senior girls as waitresses. The food and table settings were like a picture from Homes and Gardens. Many of the girls had no idea of how to make tea or arrange a table setting as that was mum’s job at home. But they made charming and attentive hostesses and obviously enjoyed the occasion.

Visitors always seemed impressed by the variety and high quality of the food, the attractive table setting and the pleasant manners and efficiency of the students. Behind the scenes there were sometimes minor emergencies such as the group who decided to make tea in the kettle. ‘We always do at home,’ they chorused. Visitors seemed impressed with what they saw and visitors from other schools often wanted to borrow some of the work. They envied the equipment and the large, airy, well-lit rooms.

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