LAVISH PROVISION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 54, 13 December 1946, Page 4

LAVISH PROVISION

UNIVERSITY BURSARIES FOR ALL ■■ r YEAR AT ASHBURTON SCHOOL “The Education Department is now lavish in its provision, of bursaries,” states Mr E. A. Cockroft (headmaster of the Ashburton High School) in the 66th annual report which will be present* ed at the school break-up- this , evening, “These bursaries, which are available to all who intend to go to a university, and who can satisfy the easy conditions necessary, will, from , now on, be very, much used:” “The increasing of t the number and value of, the bursaries is a step in the right direction, and should make the 'university available to all those desiring to go there,” he states.,. Mr Cox'kroft continues: We were hoping to have, two new rooms completed and ready duringvthis year. Owing to the inability of the Department to commence .tlie alterations the completion of these rooms has. been set back. When completed we shall have excellent accommodation for teaching woodwork to, boys,, and homecraft,‘cpoki'ng and laundry to girls. “The .roll number at the beginning of the year was 237 —two less than that of the previous year. The number diminished during the year as over 30 pupils left to begin work in various occupations. Outstanding football and basketball seasons for .the school are reviewed by the headmaster.- A long list of victories, with scarcely a loss, is enumerated.

interest in Life-saving “During the year, in life-saving, especially. among girls, great activity was ( evidenced. This activity is being con-' tinued. In the latest list of awards the following are granted to this school: Seven, bars to bronze medallions,, six bronze medallions, one elementary certificate, one first-class instructor’s certificate, one secondclass instructor’s certificate, nine intermediate certificates, • five silver medals (award of merit). Results to hand from the Canterbury branch of the Royal Life-Saving Society show • that our girls were second in the Petersen Cup awarded to post-primary schools for -most overage. points per head of roll-number in life-saving-awards. “The debating club, now in its 23rd year, has had another splendid year. It. was successful in outside competitions run under the auspices of. the County Debating Union, and won the Tuatara Shield for junior debating, and was runner-up for • the Tucker Trophy. The members did excellently against more experienced debaters'. “The whole school now takes part in the musical side. Besides the general singing, all pupils are receiving instruction ip. musical appreciation. It is a worthwhile innovation. Each house has its own choir and the competition at the end of the year is keenly contested." The solo compete tion for the Kennedy prizes,is also a keen contest. We are fortunate that we have on the staff teachers who . are capable of doing this work, and they deserve all credit for .their endeavours which have resulted in such excellent results.” A new shield for field athletic events had been donated by Mr S. J. Gudsell, an old boy, in memory of his father, l also an old hoy, reports Mr Cockroft. Mr Cocktoft’s report concludes with thanks to donors of prizes and to the Board of Governors for their sympathetic consideration.