1884 INSPECTORS’ REPORT ON ST. ALRANS SCHOOL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29379, 5 December 1960, Page 21

1884 INSPECTORS’ REPORT ON ST. ALRANS SCHOOL

Clearing out papers from the oldest building of the St. Albans School last week, staff found an inspectors’ report of 1884 which reflects a stern attitude to teachers—and also the policy at the time of promoting only those of real merit. In those days it was the inspectors who decided who would go on to the next class. The report notes that of the roll of 424 only 335 were present on that day—a matter for some comment. One candidate only was offered for the proficiency examination and he passed. Five were offered for promotion to standard VI and they all passed. But of 31 offered for promotion from standard IV and standard V only six passed. Their average age was 13. The same class today would be aged about 11. This state of affairs recalls the old practice of halting those believed to have no school future at standard IV. It was considered a waste of time and money to take them further so they were held at this level for a year or two and if they still failed they usually left school on attaining the school leaving age of the time at 14. The same culling process is evident in the report on promotion from standard 111 to standard IV. There were 41 candidates and only 17 passed. But the inspectors were a little easier at the next step down. They promoted

39 out of 45 from standard II to standard 111. The inspectors did not admit the official policy of putting in the axe at standard IV. ‘‘The standard of work (in this class) reflects discredit on all concerned,” they said. The St. Albans School has changed a lot since then. Until the last decade it had full classes in the upper standards from which many pupils won distinction. On the opening of the Shirley and Heaton Intermediate Schools the two top standards were transferred. With the movement of young families to the outer suburbs the roll has fallen further to 564. The old central wooden block of three classrooms and office, built in 1873, will be demolished in January. Tenders for the work have been called. It was in clearing out for this job that the old inspectors’ report was found. The St. Albans School next year will have its newer classrooms scattered round the perimeter (something like Fendalton) and the new administrative block, which has headmaster’s, infant mistress’s, and secretary’s offices, a medical room, and store, has already been occupied. Pipe Bands. The Motueka Highland Pipe Band, the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band and the Blenheim Highland Pipe Band have joined the Canterbury and Westland centre of the New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association.