SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 74, 20 December 1929, Page 13

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S REPORT In his 'annual report presented at the breaking-up ceremony of the M ellmgton Technical College yesterday, the principal (Mr. J. H. Howell) stated that the enrolment during the year bad been as follows: —In the Technical High School, 855,"as compared with 833 last year; in the evening school, 1748, as compared, with 1641; and in the art school, 3ab, as compared with 332. The total enrolment for all departments was 2909, as against 2795 for 1928, the increase in the number of individual students being 164. The report referred to the new regulations, evening school work, the cafeteria, and vocational guidance, references to which have appeared in “The Dominion quite recently. It also referred to staff changes and additions made during the ye They were glad to welcome the establishment of a technical high school fon the Hutt Valley at Petone, said Mr. Howell. The time was ripe for this development, and its progress would be watched with much sympathy. He trusted that by the co-operation ot the two institutions technical education in the district would greatly benefit. There could be no doubt that in years to come the Petone Technical School would be one of the most important m the country, and if there was a generous rivalry between the Wellington and Petone schools it Would be a stimulus to the efficiency of both. Work for Students. There had been during the past year a very great demand for the students of the Technical High School, so great indeed that more than 200 pupils had left to take up positions. This was a sufficient indication that the work of the college was fully appreciated by the industrial and commercial community. But there was a danger lest it should be thought that a short period of day training at the Technical College was enough to lay a foundation for sound work later on in the evening school. The evening school was not intended for boys and girls under 15 years of age, and that after 16 was the proper time for carrying on evening school courses. From the point of view both of training and ot health boys and girls during the years of adolescence should if at all possible be in a full-time day school, and should not be required to do their studies after. they had already spent their best energies in employment for eight hours a day. Until the senior free place had been obtained, even in the case of those who were taking up the skilled trades, it was most desirable that pupils should continue at the day school; and, where they were not over 16, they should remain tor a third The principal thanked the board for their continued confidence and cordial support, and his colleagues on the teaching and administrative staffs for their willing co-operation in promoting the welfare of the college. The happiest of relations existed among them, and if there was a school with a more able and united staff, and a more sympathetic board, ae could onlv say he had never known such.