A BUSY MONTH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 132, 15 March 1940, Page 3

A BUSY MONTH

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL.

BOARD OF MANAGERS CONFER.

The power to confer, if necessary, with the Ashburton High School Board of Governors on the site of the. proposed amalgamated secondary school in Ashburton, and the general lay-out of the grounds, w r as left to an executive committee at a meeting of the Ashburton Technical High School Board of Managres last evening. The chairman (Mr H. Watts) presided. In response to an appeal by the Director of Education, it was decided to give all possible assistance with the training of prospective young pilots in mechanics and mathematics. Information regarding school excursion fares to the Centennial Exhibition v r as received, therq being a. reduction of half in the fare, except between March 20 and 30.

A donation of £1 Is was received from the Trinity College of Music through Mr A. C. Wilson (secretary) in appreciation of the use of rooms for musical examination purposes. It was decided to make a donation to the Fighting Services Welfare Appeal.

Application-for the use of the school for a Methodist Bible-class rally of 30 to 50 young men and women, in the first week of the May holidays, was received from Mr 11. F. K. Hay man, the organiser. A .motion granting permission, moved by Mr E. Buchanan and seconded by Mr J. Lowery, was carried. Permission was also to the St. Andrew’s Physical Training Club for the use of a wicket and equipment for a cricket match against the managers of the Presbyterian Church, on April 6. Appreciation was expressed to Mr E. Buchanan for the valuable gift of 06 issues of the “National Geographic Magazine.” On behalf of the Visiting Committee, Mr Buchanan expressed general satisfaction with the conditiofi of the school. He said the date of completion of the new building was not yet known. This committee for next month will comprise Mrs F. Curtis and Messrs J. W. Harper and A. Brown. On the motion of Mr L. L. Aitken, seconded by Mr A. T. Saunders, it was agreed to paint the laboratories, the estimated cost being £35. It was also decided that certain asphalting work should be done. Principal's Report. The Principal (Mr W. Crawford) reported as follows:—“The total roll for staffing purposes stands at 327, a figure which shows a drop of 80 as compared with that on (March 1 last year. Of these, 136 are new enrolments, and 191 are of last year’s students. When consideration is given to the fact that smaller numbers are available for the primary schools and that withdrawals from the roll totalled 174 last year, the present roll must be considered satisfactory.

“The roll in the evening classes is also very satisfactory. The number of pupils enrolled is 140, while registrations total 343 spread over 22 classes. “Manual Training-—The total of primary pupils of Forms I and II is 488, comprising 255 hoys and girls. While the aggregate roll is the same as last yeai*, the girls show an increase of 27, and the boys a smaller decrease. These figures would appear to indicate that next year’s enrolments in the day school would approximate to those of the present year. The number of primary schools represented is 27.

“Curriculum—ln / accordance with t*hg requirements of the Education Department, a modified curriAilum was followed during the month, and special attention was given to outside school activities. Instruction in swimming was undertaken as far as the weather permitted. Our instruction in road safety measures was greatly assisted by' the local Traffic Inspector (Mr Letham) who arranged for the showing of a suitable film.

Elementary instruction in first-aid was given to all‘the day school classes and to manual training classes. During the period February 20 to 23 the girls underwent a special course of “keep-fit” exercises and organised games -and house activities, while' the boys in the Cadet Company held the usual “barracks” course in physical drill and elementary military training, which was rounded off by a most successful rifle-meeting. “Red. Cross Activities—The girls of the school volunteered to assist the local Red Cross organisation in its wartime activities, and as a result a supply of Balaclavas, mittens, scarves, hold-all cases, face towels, and hot water bottle covers were sent forward for the Second Echelon. The girls are now engaged in making articles for the next contingent of troops. The boys of the school will also have an -opportunity to do their share in this work, a supply of timber lengths having been received for conversion into splints. '“Party for the Exhibition —Arrangements are in hand for a. party of students to visit the Exhibition during the week-end, April 19 to 21. Altogether, 102 pupils have, submitted their names, which is hi excess of the number allotted, but it is hoped that the excess 12 will also be able to make the trip. The party wil be in the charge of members of the staff. Swimming. “Swimming .Sports—On Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, very successful girls’ and boys’ swimming sports were held at the school baths. The benefits of the “Lenrn-to-swim” campaigns of the east two years are shown by the very large number of entries for the various events as compared with those of previous years. “Swimming Certificates —The generally unfavourable weather _ conditions in February did not permit of opportunities for swimming practice as in previous years. The results generally may be considered satisfactory. Certificates in the various categories were gained for the first time by 41 boys and 29 girls. Of the remaining pupils, 83 boys and 77 girls who gained certificates last year did not qualify for higher status. Thus the number of pupils entitled to hold swimming cer-

tificates is 124 hoys and 100 girls, a total of 230.

“Visit of Inspection —Mr H. B. Tomlinson, Technical Sfchooi Inspector, paid a visit to the school on March 5 and 6.

“Gift of Books —A gift of 06 issues of the National Geographic Magazine from Mr. El. Buchanan has been acknowledged with thanks. These are being bound, and will form a most useful addition to the school library.

“Material and Equipment The covering of the floor in the workshop corridor has been renewed. Mechanics and electrical equipment ordered early last year has now arrived, and will permit of more advanced instruction in the science subjects. “Easter Holidays—The dnv school will be closed for the Easter holidays from Good Friday, March 22. and wil! resume on Wednesday March 27. Evening classes will continue up to and including Wednesday, March 20, resuming on the following Wednesday evening.

Accounts passed for payment amounted to £245 14s 6d. The credit balance at bank was £231 12s Bd.