EDUCATIONAL.

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 13

EDUCATIONAL.

HOW THE SCHOOLS HAVE GROWN.

MEETING THE DISTRICT'S REQUIREMENTS.

STATE AND DENOMINATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Educational developments in the Mas.terton district has always been full of interest. There are residents of the town who have witnessed the growth of the Masterton School from its earliest stage —one teacher, one room, and a handful of pupils—to the present time, with a staff of 23 permanent teachers, four itinerant teachers, and a roll of 950 pupils. Masterton's first schoolmaster was Mr. H. Crane. Ha was followed by Mr. Sampson (an ex-soldier), Mi. Briscoe, Mr. A. T. Skipper, Mr. Sillington, Mr. Filkington, and Mr. Grundy. The lastnamed resigned in 1888 ; since which date the school has been in charge of the present master, Mr. W. H. Jackson. The Masterton School has always had the reputation of being extremely successful. INTERESTING FEATURES. The original portion of. the present school building was erected some 35 years ago by Messrs. Barker and Williams, and it is still in a thoroughly sound condition. It was considered a model school building. Different ideas now prevail regarding lighting and ventilation, and efforts are being made to secure such structural alterations to the walls of the class I'rooms, making it possible to convert the whole school into practically an open air school at will. There are many interest-, ing features about the school which should bo found in all modern schools. Recently a very fine Assembly Hall has been added, equipped with the. latest portable furniture, towards the purchase of which the Masterton Trust Lands Trust made a substantial donation. The "hospital" is quite unique. The sick room is provided with a long lounge, cushions, and rugs, and it contains a full supply of first aid appliances, including a portable folding stretcher, of the latest type. In a large school there are always many little sufferers, from minor accidents and ailments, and their discomfort and loss of school time are reduced to a minimum. There is more than ample playground.

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL CREATED.

Until 1902 the school remained a primary school. It was then created a District High School. Its secondary department consisted of some twenty pupils. The average attendance is now between 70 and 80 pupils, and it has a staff of three secondary assistants and three visit- 1 ing teachers. The first permanent appointment to the secondary staff was Mr.

E. T. Norris, M.A., now Registrar of the New Zealand University. He was succeeded by Mr. A. B. Charters, M.A. (dow Colonel Charters, C.M.G., on active service)... Under Mr. Charters the High School department achieved great success. Mr. I. G. Bee, M.A., the present senior secondary teacher, succeeded Mr. Charters, and the successful operations have been continued. .. THE RURAL COURSE. School gardening operations are. conducted as part of the rural course training. The gardens connected with: the school are an example of what can be done under disadvantageous conditions. A gravel bed has been converted into a beautiful and productive garden, which is indeed .i credit to the school. The whole of the work done in the garden is experimental. Everything is weighed, measured, and tested, and the results noted. Tho pupils take a keen interest in this portion of their work. A further .: extension of vocational training, which includes the. sciences applied to agriculture, drawing and woodwork for boys, and hygiene, domestic science, and dressmaking for the girls. A SCHOOL MUSEUM. Masterton's original Post Office, and subsequently its first technical school, is now the Masterton School. Museum. The Trust Lands Trust provided a site adjacent to tho school, removed, remodelled, and renovated the building, donated a large- number of exhibits, and then handed the institution over to the District High School. :The ground has been con verted, into .a native flora plantation, and is rapidly being transformed from an eyesore into a beauty spot. Tho building has three rooms, the 'largest being tho natural history room. This room, contains quito a surprising collection, -of well preserved and mounted animal specimens; all in glass cafies. Every, endeavour is being made to' add to tho collection of New Zealand fauna, especially its birds. The second room is devoted to m.inera] ami agricultural exhibits, while the third contains historical relics. This school museum is a-real-museum, not merely a collection of curios. .. Tho aim is to make it as typical of tho Dominion as possible. ' In' addition to the main school and the denominational schools, of which mention is made below, there are the side school, in Victoria-street, nearly

a mile from the main school; the Fernridge School, three miles to the west of Masterton and'with about one hundred pupils; and the Lansdowno School, built of brick on the English pattern and rapidly increasing in importance. The headmaster of the latter is Mr. Robert C. Drummond.