NO APPOINTMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 129, 13 March 1936, Page 3

NO APPOINTMENT

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL HEAD. BOARD DEFERS DECISION THIRTY-ONE APPLICATIONS. On account of the number of applicants the appointments of a new principal and a science instructor to the Ashburton Technical High School were not made at the meeting of the school "board last evening, when there were present, Mr W. G. Hillier (chairman), Mrs H. M. Tinker, Messrs J. Cook, E PJuichanan/H. IBrthvn, S.Mitchell, H. H. Loy, R. Houston, C. Perkins, W. S. Kerr, H. Watts and A. L. Jones. Members were faced with 31 applications for each position, that of principal being made vacant by the resignation of Mr R. J. Thompson, and that of the science instructor through the rising of the grade of the school. After discussion it was decided that the appointments were too important to be dealt with except after careful investigation, and it was agreed that a special meeting of the board be held on Ihursday to make the appointments after the board executive had on Tuesday investigated the qualifications of those applying. The executive can make recommendations concerning the appointments, but these can only be finalised by the board as a whole. The Principal’s Report. The Principal (Mr R. J- Thompson) reported as follows: — “The dayl school has settled down to work with a net roll number of 272. First-year enrolments this year are equal to the record for the school, 138. Evening classes commenced on I ebruary 19 with a very large increase in number over the corresponding period last year. English, arithmetic, bookkeeping,, dressmaking, shorthand and typewriting, sign-and-tieket writing, and metalwork classes all show increases in numbers. “The classes are the same as those for last year except that there lias not been a sufficient number of applicants to commence the economic and mercantile law classes. “Two new sewing machines have been installed, and the purchase of two typewriters is under way, while arrangements are being made for tlie purchase of materials for the various classes.

“During tlie month the swimming sports for both girls and boys were liqld in fine weather. “In connection with the December examinations, two third-year girls from our business-training classes sat for and were successful in passing the University Entrance Examination. It is worthy of note that these girls have spent quite half their school time in study of non-matriculation subjects and both are capable of talcing responsible positions either as bookkeepers or as shorthand typistes. One entered inland passed the junior sliorthand-typ-istes’ examination.

“The success of these two girls who have taken the University Entrance as a side issue to their main education would appear to show that the practical work tlieyl took lightened considerably the effect of the theoretical studies, with the result that students are able to take such an examination as tlie University Entrance with very little dislocation of the particular course they are studying. In other years the hoys from tlie trades course have done equally well without having the drudgery of long periods of homework.”

The bank balance was reported to be £436 2s sd. Accounts amounting to £172 9s 3d were passed for payment. Notification was received. that the conveyance of Eiffelton, Ruapuna and Anama pupils to the school was approved by the Education Department under the conditions that capitation at the rate of 8d a pupil for return trip was payable by the Department together with half the additional cost to the Canterbury Education Board over the total capitation payable, it being understood that the cost to the board must not exceed that already stated without the prior approval of the Department. Subsidy for Assembly Hall.

The Minister of Employment (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) wrote advising that the Unemployment Board was prepared to consider a subsidy for the erection of a,n assembly lia’ll, providing the project could be put in hand by March 31. Without further information about the estimated cost of the work and the total funds which would be available, it was not possible to indicate the measure ot the board’s assistance. The Minister asked that the particulars ho forwarded to the Board. The chairman said that Mr J. A. Bigg (architect to the Canterbury Education Board) had visited tho school and was making plans and specifications of tho hall so that a claim could be entered for .the subsidy. The Ashburton Branch of tho New wrote urging that every effort be made to secure free transport of children to decided to reply informing the associaprimary and secondary schools. It was decided to reply, giving information of the progress being made in that direction. The visiting committee (Messrs Watts and Kerr) reported on minor repairs necessary at the school. The grounds were in excellent order. Messrs Watts and Mitchell were appointed a visiting committee for next month.