JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 13

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

WORKING OF THE SYSTEM. MATAMATA RESULTS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) MATAMATA, this day. The report forwarded by the headmaster of the Matamata Junior High School to the committee this week is particularly interesting in view of discussions as to the ultimate success of the junior high school system, and the fact that the Matamata school was the first junior high school'to be established in a country district. The headmaster, Mr. J. F. Wells, saidthe average attendance had been 223 out of 234 pupils on the roll. This was particularly good when the distances the children had to travel was considered. In the recent proficiency examinations, 86 candidates had sat, and 55 had obtained proficiency, whilst 21 were awarded competency certificates. This result, he said, showed that, as conditions improve, a higher standard of attainment was being reached. Most of the successful candidates had had two years' experience in French, algebra, and geometry, and would hold a tremendous advantage over pupils from other centres where the system was not working. The junior high school was in more ways than one justifying itself, and each year would bring them nearer to the realisation of its ideals, but another three years, at the very least, were necessary before the full benefits of the system would have had time to operate through the full course. Discussing the report later, Mr. E. C. Banks (chairman), who is also a member of the Auckland Education Board, said the report bore out his original contention that it would take at least three years to see what the system could achieve. There would be nine teachers in the school next year, so that it was growing into a very big thing. It was certainly a splendid institution for the district. A discussion took place regarding imposing a test on entrants to the school, and it was decided to invite the teachers from the country contributing schools to discuss with Mr. Wells ways and means of arriving at uniformity. It was stated that the pupils from outside schools for next year would be: Waharoa (five miles), 36; Okauia (four miles), 10; Hinuera (five miles), 50.