The Dunedin High School Commission.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 959, 20 November 1877, Page 6

The Dunedin High School Commission.

i From a telegram to the ' Times' giving b summary of the High School Comniiasionei's report, we take the following :— ln order to properly judge of the Rector's pesition,' an<l to estimate the iiiflnenpes at worjc in bringing about the present unsatitfactory Btate of an».' r8 j tHe Commissioners, at great .length review the past history of the school, and the Recfc»iV relations with, the Board, The terms of his engagement are stated, and his disapointment in regard to the profits he was led to expect from the boarding department is full} 1 set out, as well as what took place between himself and the Board in relation to this point. Up to ihia time (10th Jul-y)'itis' said it appears that his relations to. the B >ard were perfectly friendly, at lease, he had no specific cause of complaint against it, oijany. of its members ; but there can bs little doubt that there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction in . his mind with his position, and probnbly Borne feeling that lie had been misled at Home >s his prospects hera, iir-d, th^t the Board had not clone its utmost to compensate Mm. After stating the fxers of_ the meeting on 'th.c }Qth J uly, the Coiniuissioner 3 point out how Mr Norrie, not; uq naturally, became, irritated, .and how this feeling bpcamo {{itensified by .giibseqnenb proceedings of the;Buard. From thfidite of the publication of the Board's proceedingSj M-? I^«n'ie'§ position' toward it was one of '* irritation ans distrusr," and tlie Board itself, though not assuming an equally , hostile position, p%n hardly be eupposed to -have felt itself on tho same terms as before; 1 Xt is, l)owoyerUO»Jy th^ B'va;r4 to {State ... '' '„ ■•. „;■■■•;■/.: ;■■?■■•;■ W '■'■■ . i.' : '■'•..•'•' ..';-- i! ■■ ;

r.hat »<,> hoou aa they became aware of the pai' •vhich expressions uaed had given, they, oi J it least individual members, took ever> means privately to remove the impressioi produced <>n Mr Nome's mind. It appear* also they are. all .almost certain 'the -&ctu.u words complained of were »iev«r used. Thi conduct of the aoiing-secretary in questioning Mr Nome as acting under instructions, v termed an unfortunate accident, as the Board had had no meeting. The Commissioners: say they do not consider it necessary to g>into the details of this quarrel, or apportion exactly the praise or bUme. The essential point ia that from a series of unfortunate accidents, a state of antagonism arose between the Board and the .Rector, which completely put an end to all feeling oi cordiality or desire for co-operation Some part of the mischief was probably due to the laxity with which the Board managed its proceedings, the chief business .".' being urac.tjicii.lly done, by one or two of; iis smembers5 members vvlio happen ;to reside. .in ;Dunedin. A certain committee termed' the High School Committee, also, seems to have be'en ' informally charged with the general administration of High School affairs ; and it. is not always easy to distinguish between it and the action of the Board sitting as such. The latter sits iii private, the former in public, arid they say that. this accounts for the impression that matters done at the Board are often arranged previously at Committee/ The facts brought to notice point to the fact that among the teaching utafl a feeling ef insecurity . prevails, which must prove detrimental to the proper conduct of the school. ''Allegations in ".support" of the existence of this feeling are recited.. Another source of disquietudeis indicated in the political.character of tho Board; As a-matter of fact the Commissioners say "it appears that except iv cases where political feeling' was brought to bear, the Board did not, as a general rule, ■assume the functions of the governing body, but for the most part left the entire management, so far as regards the High Schools, in the hands of the, Kectpr and : Lady Principal respectively." They, were not 'under the control of any governing body, or subject to periodical ■inspection, but were in fact left altogether tc^ thetusfllves. The Commissioners were much struck with the fact that beyond the annual report; there, was, no document on which the public could form an -opinion regarding, the gjhool, that they therefore obtained ideas from the reports of children '■ attending the school. Thus' the public at large really became the governing body. This censorship of the public has been attended by the most lamentable results in annoying teachers, blaming wrong people, and standing .in the way of beneficial reforms. The3e remarks apply to both girls' and boys' schools The Commissioners are of opinion that one great cause of alarm and auxiety on the part of the public is a dislike to the occurrence of constant changes, and the fear that every emergency will be met by a general re-organisation. The boys' school h»s suffered greatly from the frequent change of rectors, and the girls', school is now threatened with a similar evil. The circumstances of the present state of embarrassment in regard to 'the girls' school are fully set out. The proposal of /the '.Board to remedy the existing evils, the Commissioners think, offer a fair prospect, of success, and is the only one which can effectually meet the emergency which has arisen. tJnder other circumstances the boarding out departments entirely separated .from the school, . might ausw.er. The Commissioners fi-.'d a falling off in attendance at both schools within the -last year. The teaching, ho weVerj seems to have been effitsif.ufci The' buildings are condemned as being insuQjcieufc and badJy constructed. The . ; large proportion of ; boys attending - the lower forms is pointed out,' 'and the causes have been enquired .into at considerable length.. The want, of interest Bhown by masters in the pupils beyond mere school hours arid that devoted to tasks is unfavourably commented on. The system of outside inanageriient is pronounced defective, there being noregujar periodical inspection, and the difficulties in the way of th>s and of efficieut examination are fully indicated. A board of inspectors is reponj mended. The pseeent Education Board is condemned as not qualified for the position of a . governing body, is members j not possessing -the .special qualifications required. Th> governing body they ■.think"" should be able to 'ap'f independently on its own convicijous, and should t>e able to judge in matters of high class education, and shcuid not have any political connection or be bound by pulidcal ties. It should be able to ayuip^fhi?? with atid advise the head, master in all doubts and. dilljciilties, The relations of head master to the Board should be fixed, and the whole internal management shonJd be in his hands even to the appointment of assistant masters, without any interference -from the governing body. The governing- body should, however, prescribe ths general course of studies, anct possibly decide the branches to be moet'.y attended, to and should bold the master responsible; for results, aud leave hitn toworkthem out. This definition of powers would prevent petty interference and coiisequent Ijiokerjngs,. Iv t^ia vent, of, any collision the matter .should not be made known .to the. buys or the public. To secure this- the fiieeting of the governing body shbulfl bfi private; Jn appointing a ppw rector the Qomniissiorjevs reoomn^end a, plan similar to that by which, the fii-3fe two reoto.rs were- selected J- ; Some competent authority should bs er trusted at -'Koine' with the seltsctjtQll, Vf W possessing' the ;.' following ■..{!.). a gentieii^an of reiine(3 taste ;and manners ; (2-V ai yracl'iate . o? : some distinction ;■' (3.) He'shonlii- have had ; "exl perienve^p .tl^tp^wpi:k ot» pubj^ Bcjfc^^ -fyj

he should have tact and judgment sufficient bo enable him to keep the school under proper control, and adapt the experience gained ut hornet" the altered circumstances in which lie wsuld find himself. The financial question is next touched, and the funds and expenses of the schools stated ; and as they recommend the two .schools shonld be under separate control, each should hare separate independent sources of income. It is suggested that part of the endowments should be permanently all cated to the High Schools, and put under the management of the Governing body being trustees, also, that there should be an increase of the amount charged in fees in the boys' school. The necessity for immediate steps being taken to organise the schools is dwelt upon. In conclusion, the Cnmmission expresses. an opinion that the defects pointed -out; as well as the- present unpleasant state of affairs, are- to be attributed not so much to • the shortcomings of individuals as. to- the faults inherent in the system.' Any defects in discipline "are attributable rather to outside influences' than to any bad management in the school itaelf which makes it more imperative that the internal' conduct of the school itself, its social amenities, : and its general tone should be .matters of grave consideration for those entrusted with its charge.