RICCARTON H.S.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30216, 22 August 1963, Page 16

RICCARTON H.S.

Growth In Six Years Outlined Because he did not think the Riccarton High School was fully appreciated within its area, the chairman of the school’s board of governors (Mr M. C. Butler) read a statement on the school’s development to a meeting of the board of governors yesterday. He said the school, in its sixth year of development, had now reached adult status, with a considerable sixthform top. For the first time this year it would be putting forward candidates for the university scholarship examinations. “The challenge of realistic education for the medium or shorter period of stay pupils of two or three years is one that is being met to the full. Results now show that former pupils are proving themselves in commercial and industrial employment,” he said. “A number of girls are progressing splendidly in their training for the nursing profession. Also there is a pressing demand for pupils of the commercial course. “More than once our boys have headed selection committee lists for Dunitroon Training College, A.T.C. flying scholarships, and the like." Former pupils at university were proving good students and making very satisfactory progress. A greater number of pupils would be going to the Teachers’ College, Mr Butler said. The school was also selected as a suitable place of study for an American Field Service scholar, who had recently returned to the United States. “In the field of sport we now find our name among the various record-holders. In games we have more than held our own. The P.TA. Shield competition with Kadkorai Valley High School, a school of equal age and status in Dunedin, has never been taken from us. “The student council functions smoothly in engendering a sense of public responsibility to its members and a sense of belonging to pupils in general. Compliments have been paid to our readiness to assist in worthy causes, the most recent being the occasion of the appeal tor the blind. Our collectors were responsible tor a sum approaching £4OO from the district in which they operated. “The morale of this coeducational school with its excellent staff of teachers headed by Mr A. J. Gainstord, is of the highest, and no student misbehaviour is tolerated. It has been necessary to terminate the stay of a small number of pupils who did not respond to wise counselling and discipline Also we have accepted from other schools similar pupils tor a fresh start. This usually proves te be a success. and at few schools is the. interest of the pupil given such greet emohasis. “The cultural side of education has been emphasised in the music tuition classes within the school for instrumentalists.”