Flexibility Sought For Appointments

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31521, 8 November 1967, Page 28

Flexibility Sought For Appointments

Flexibility for secondary school boards to appoint staff on personal suitability as well as grading will be sought by the Hillmorton High School Board.

When it discussed the proposed new grading scheme on Monday night, the headmaster (Mr P. W. Murdoch) said that at present a tolerance of “one category” was allowed. If an applicant on category 3 appeared more suitable locally than one on category 4 he might be appointed. The Secondary School Boards’ Association had asked for a tolerance of three places. He thought two would be adequate. His staff agreed with this.

“Personality and other personal characteristics must be taken into account in the local situation,” Mr Murdoch said.

The secretary (Mr P. J. Halligan) said that “list B” in the new grading suggested 11 categories. It would require merit to get from list A to list B but it might be hard for boards to comprehend category differences as fine as one-eleventh. Hillmorton will allow boys in forms V and VI who wear suits . with long trousers to treat the school cap as an optional item of uniform. This was approved by the board of governors after some talk of caps being dropped altogether.

Mr C. E. Fenwick said he ■ was surprised to learn from

Mr Murdoch that a cap was regarded as a sign of junior status.

Mr Murdoch said manyChristchurch schools had dropped caps for seniors and many North Island schools had dropped them altogether. The Christchurch Family Life Education Council’s programme for non-syllabus studies in schools was “warmly supported” by the board. Mr Murdoch said it covered “spheres often neglected by both home and school.”

Mr Murdoch said many pupils had no conception of a simple budget. Others did not know much about themselves physically or mentally. Others were “very light” in their understanding of simple moral standards and boy and girl relationships. There was interest in preparation for marriage. The board agreed to introduce the programme to third forms next year and advance it thereafatter.

WHEN you want to BUY, look where people advertise what they have td sell. When you want to SELL, advertise where people look for what they want to Buy. The Classified Columns of "THE PRESS" will serve you well—BOTH WAYS. Phone 199 any time, a Direct Line for your convenience.