AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

Feilding Star, Volume 4, Issue 729, 11 March 1926, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

BOARD OF MANAGERS MEET, BUSINESS DONE LAST NIGHT The monthly meeting of the Board of Managers controlling the Eeilding Agricultural High School and Tccli*nienl. College was held 111 Che berguson street buildings last night, Mr H. Tolley occupying the ehatr. There were also in attendance Airs J. S. Tingey ,Me?shs A. IT. Atkinson, 0. Aldis, A. Campbell, A. J. Kellow, H. AleJ ntyre, A. Williamson and the Director, Ajr L. J, Wild'.

DIRECTOR,’S .REPORT Tn his renort to the Board, the Director stated that the school commenced the first term on February 1. The roll number is at present 11)0 higher than ever before. The ‘number of new pupils is 83 of which do are . boys- easily a record. Of these b-t per cent, are taking the full agricultural, course, this 3'so being a record- anti one that has delighted' the Minister for Education. The girls are equally divided between the Home Science and Commercial course, Town schools have provided 3!) pupils;' the- country . schools'of this district 21, while 23 pupils come from outside this district, 7 being from other secondary schools. There

are pupils from every province in the North Island and one from Westland, while one has his home in the Island of Rarotonga. The increased roll number together with a brisk enrolment, of pupils for technical and evening classes, although these cannot yet be opg-ned, entitles the. school to at least- one additional assistant. As stated, except for a few classes in art and' crafts and a lew classes with part time teachers, the evening work lias not begun although students to fill about 18 classes Have already enrolled ail'd a great many more come when the- classes are opened. Classes cannot open until additional staffing is available. The policy of abandoning the old compulsory system of building up classes of voluntary students under efficient full-time teachers is bearing Wonderful Accommodat-ioln in the school is now overtaxed and the need for a laboratory if only to give the extra accommodation is an urgent necessity. Classes meet on several occasions in the Dining hall in the School House and once a week in the corridor or outside.v

GENERAL MATTERS A letter was received from,. Miss Baker tendering her resignation as matron of the hostel owing to ill health. Mis s Baker’s resignation was accepted, the-Board expressing the hope for her speedy recovery. It is expected to fill the vacancy shortly. The chairman reported on matters concerning a recent deputation to the Monster for Education and a discussion was held in committee, after which a. vote of thanks .was accorded members of the Board comprising the deputation. With -the view of effecting an economy in electric lighting and heating, it was decided to ask the Power Board’s local engineer, Air ALerson, Htp visit the school and report onj the system. v