Ayton House: Gisborne Hostel For Girls

Alterations which will almost double its accommodation space will enable Ayton House to play an even bigger role in Gisborne's educational system. As the Gisborne High School's hostel for girls, it has already been a "home away from home" for hundreds of district children

Originally, 22 girls boarded at the hostel. Changes in recent years boosted the number to 40, but it is still not large enough to meet the full demand. The provision of a new wing is part of the present scheme, which will expand the accommodation to cater for 72 girls.

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Dressed in their "Sunday best", girls leave Ayton House to attend morning church service.

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Girls relax in bright junior dormitory

Tne name "Ayton" House has a strong historical link with Poverty Bay, as Ayton, in England, was the home village of Capt. Cook

The late Mr Thomas Todd, an uncle of the present matron, Miss J. W Todd, suggested the name during his term as a member of the High School Board of Governors

Mr L. T. Burnard, the chairman of the board, has held that post continuously since 1926 — only 11 years after the hostel's foundation stone was laid.

The charge mistress is Mrs G Sayle-Reid. Like the girls under their control, Mrs Reid and Miss Todd think of Ayton House, not as a hostel, but as "home".

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Scene in dining-room

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Mrs Sayle-Reid, charge mistress

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Miss Todd, matron

Study is a regular part of activities in Ayton House, but there is plenty of time to relax, too. Twenty-six of the girls learn music, some attend school dancing classes, and there ara many avenues for sport.

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Girls sing as Shirley Smyth (Ruatoria) plays piano

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Adrianne Judd (Matawai) studies text book

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Relaxing around heater are Cherry Cheetham (Te Puke), Marion Finch (Ruatoria), Margaret Sinclair (Opotiki) & Beverley Moore (Ngatapa)

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In the common room: Gay Porter (Tokomaru Bay), Janice Summersby (Tiniroto), Ngaire Pickering (Whatatutu), and Joanne Cooper (Tokomaru Bay).

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Playing "padderminton" are Gay Porter (left) &. Kay Larmer (Opotiki).

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Anne McLean (Otoko) enjoys game of table tennis

A prefabricated classroom has been converted into a recreation room, where the girls can "let off steam". Singing round a piano is one of the favourite pastimes Another is "pad-derminton". a type of badminton.

More sedate activities, like sewing and reading, take place in the common room, where a radio is provided. Many of the girls do their own dressmaking, and the sewing-machine is in great demand when a school dance is scheduled.

Outdoors, there are tennis and basketball courts and a volley board.

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Prefects at prep.: Shirley Smyth, Gay Campbell (Whatatutu) & Beryl Parsons (Rotorua)

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Robin Shaw (Rakaroa) wrestles with prep. problem