ENTRY TO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 12

ENTRY TO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

PREFERENCE SYSTEM OUTLINED

POLICY REAFFIRMED BY BOARD “The Christchurch Boys’ High School board of governors reaffirms the desirability of giving preference of entry to sons of old boys, boys with brothers at school, and others living m the vicinity of the school, but in all cases consideration will be given to the suitability of the applicant and his ability to profit from the courses available.” This statement was issued yesterday after the board had spent almost an hour in committee on the question of admissions. A survey of this policy was also given in the statement released. It said that for 1955 enrolments had been accepted with preference in the three categories and judgment of suitability on the information available.

The 245 third-form entrants, together with a few others for the fourth form and normal transfers, would maintain the roll at about 950. Of the 245 enrolments for 1955, about 60 were sons of old boys and about 60 had brothers at school. Some fell into both classes, but were listed only in one. “Apart from any increased keenness of old boys to send their sons to this school, it is likely that there will be an increased demand from this section,” the statement said. “Assuming that a boy is 14 when he enters school and 27 when his son is born, we can expect this second generation 26 years after his father’s entry. The school roll in 1926 was 629, and in succeeding years 607, 685, 720, 694, 654, 700, 732, and 738, after which it began to drop. We can therefore reasonably expect to find, with no change in circumstances, more sons of old boys applying for admission.

“The value of old boys’ sons to the school is that they carry on a tradition, but this can also be done by boys whose families have keen interest. For example, it is hard to rule out a boy whose older brothers have all been a credit to the school. The present difficulty is in getting to know the associations, either of the father or of the family with the school. The admission of brothers recognises the value of family associations, and also the economic fact that school uniforms and books are passed down. With a more or less fixed roll, there should be no

eason for the number of brothers ising.”

The board of governors also agreed to advise parents as early as possible whether applications for admission 'to the hostel had been accepted—“say in 1954 for 1956.” A deposit of £5 will be required for each application accepted, and will be retained until the end of the boarding-period.