1940:
The Girls begin fundraising efforts for the war effort. Girls donated money at first and then the Lower 6th Form organised the Labour Bureau in which girls cleaned gardens and cars, painted bicycles and helped with housework. The school also held a concert. Monies raised were donated to the Red Cross and The London Distress Relief Fund. Many girls have knitted balaclavas, gloves, socks, scarves and pullovers for NZ servicemen and refugees. To save money and paper, the school magazine is handwritten and not distributed, but a copy is held for future archiving purposes.
1942:
Girls from Christchurch Girls High School and St Margaret’s College practice evacuation drills into slit trenches. Trenches were dug in Hagley Park, as well as in Cranmer and Latimer Squares, in December 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor intensified fears of a direct threat to New Zealand. (See Press photo: Saturday 20th June 1942)
1942:
Daisy Osborn (Alumni 1903) presents a painting to CGHS called “Youth” to the school. Daisy was a renowned artist in NZ in the first half of the 20th Century.
1943:
Third Form (Year 9) is sent home due to the Polio Epidemic. They return on 31st March.
1944:
Sister Alma Crampton dies following injuries sustained in a vehicle accident, while on active service during WWII. She is the only known student to have died on active service for NZ. The school holds a memorial assembly.
1944:
Lt Colonel Betty Lorimer (Alumni 1921-25), is awarded an MBE for her leadership in the YWCA during the North Africa and Italy Campaigns. Betty served from 1941 until 1947. The YWCA provided recreation and support to NZ troops during the war.
1945
The School closes to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day, signalling the end of the War against Nazi Germany.
1947:
CGHS Alumni Student (1939 to 1941), 21 year old Mary Wootton, is crowned Miss New Zealand in Wellington.
