TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 December 1934, Page 9

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

BREAK-UP AND PRIZE-GIVING. The annual break-up ceremony and distribution of prizes took place at the Greymouth Technical High School yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr T E. Coates presiding over a gathering of students, staff and parents. . Opening' the ceremony, the Chairman congratulated the school on its success this year, both in and out of the School, and said he was satisfied there was not u school in the Dominion which had a bettei teaching record than the Greymouth Technical High. The students had been very loyal to their school, and if tney played the game of life, v hich many of them were now to enter in earliest, in the same splendid spirit in which they had learned to play their school games, all would be well with them. Mrs Dickson, he said, had been a tower of strength during the year, and had helped considerably in raising money for the school library. The Principal and Staff had every reason to be proud of their school, to which they had given tone, and while it was uudei their guidance, he felt the school would go from strength to strength. The Board was also very appreciative of the way the Hostel had been kept going by Mrs McLaren. He urged all, who were leaving, to join up with the Old Students’ Association, and thus keep an active interest in the School. Concluding, Mr Coates wished the staff and the students the season’s greetings, and very happy holidays .(Applause). Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn and Rev. A. O. Harris also spoke, congratulating the Principal and staff on the year’s success in the school, and on the playing fields, and also the Board of Governors on their successful management of the institution. -Both extended the best wishes to teachers and students for happy holidays.

PRINCIPAL’S ANNUAL REPORT. The Principal read his annual report from which the following are extracts: — The Roll: On March 1, 336 was the roll number; last year 331. Now in December the class registers indicate 280, with an average roll for the year 317; last year’s average 316. Professional Course 111 (122), 34 per cent (37 per cent): Trades Course 74 (75), 22 per cent (22.5 per cent); Commercial Course 116 (103), 34.5 per cent (31); Domestic Course 29 (26), 8.6 per cent (8 per cent); Rural Industries Course 3 (5) .9 per cent (1.5 per cent). It will thus be seen that the numbers and percentages are much the same as last year. The total of 74 in the Trades Course includes 54 in the Engineering Section and 20 in the Woodwork. The pupils are fairly evenly distributed amongst the first year, second year and senior courses, the numbers being 129, 98, 109.

The Attendance: The average percentage of attendance for the year 1934 is 90.5 (93.5)— only fair. The winter was very trying, colds and influenza being very prevalent in June and July. In fact, the weekly attendance —ending June 29 —was as low as 72.6 per cent; more than one quarter of the whole school absent. But gradually it improved and thankful 1 am to report that there arose no necessity to close the school for the epidemic. Staff: At the end of the first term, Mr McLeod left us for Wanganui Technical College, while Mr Francis came from Westport, undertaking his duties at the beginning of the second term. Owing to the steady average attendance, Miss was appointed in June as an additional part-time assistant in our Commercial Department till the end of'the current year. In October, Miss E. •G. Watt was temporarily indisposed and we secured the interim services of Miss McCrostie in her place. Miss Watt, it is hoped, will again be fit to resume in February 1935. The Rural Course still continues' to be a disappointment and so far, has failed to attract a. reasonable number of pupils. Perhaps it has suffered through the poverty of its content, but, this year the local Racecourse Reserve has been thrown open (mostly through the good offices of our Chairman) to our boys for observational and experimental work. The caretaker, a practical farmer, _ has been induced to lend his aid in directing and guiding the pupils’ efforts. Thus practical agriculture and field problems will get a fair share of attention, foi' the only place to learn farming and dairying profitably and well, is on a farm. This year we have 109 in our senior classes —ono third of the whole school, of whom 10 are post-matricula-tion students, who, but for the Commercial depression would hayo surely secured employment. Training Colleges were shut and the road to the University was made hard. Consequently, these approved, intelligent pupils have been literally asked to seive by only standing and waiting.

Our chief examination returns were as follows: —Matriculation: 16 passed out of 18. Senior Free Place: 78 granted by Education Department. Public Service Commissioners 4 senior, 14 junior. . . This year we are presenting 18 tor Matriculation, 23 for School Certificate, 10 for Public Service Commissioners (senior) 23 for Public Service Commissioners (junior), and the usual second year pupils for Senior Free Place. In post-matriculation work we have two candidates for first section B. Com. Degree, two for Training College Entrance (four for University Scholarship, seven for Higher Leaving Certificates. I’m very pleased to add that the two girls for the B. Com. gained their “terms pass” in their two subjects. These results are new records in the Schools’ achievements and the post-matriculation work done indicates a decided advance in the quality and grade of instruction given in the School. Rugby:—Altogether, over 70 boys played the Rugby Code. Although handicapped by late train pupils, we put four teams into the Grade competitions—two third grade and two junior. We have again the Newman Shield. Throughout the season, systematic coaching with blackboard illustrations, was given by the male members of the staff and fine results were obtained. Interesting school games were played with Hokitika and Reefton and were thoroughly enjoyed. Soccer: We had three Soccer teams — one third and two fourth grade. The third graders won their competition, whilst one of our fourth grade teams finished runners-up. The five-a-side tournament was won by our School fourth-grade team. Visiting teams from Christchurch and Dunedin were entertained and two of our boys were included in the representative Westland Junior team v. Canterbury. Cricket: Two third grade teams took

the field in the competition. I should like to record here our gratitude to our Chairman (Mr Coates) whosecured for us a new playing net. Basketball: Our girls had six teams—four senior and two junior in the competitions organised by the V est Coast Association. The “A” team played’a Basketball of a. high order and were the proud recipients of a cup presented to the team playing the most attractive game. Inter-school matches with Hokitika and Reef ton were much enjoyed. The Junior first team achieved the distinction of winning the Wednesday “B” grade competition. The great improvement in tho standard of our girls’ play may be attributed to the use of the Tenniscourt,. which made constant practice possible. Swimming: We held our Swimming Sports in the Municipal Swimming Baths in February last. The day was showery, but we finished' our programme. Much good sport was witnessed. Hockey: This year we entered, for the first time, a boys’ team which did quite well, although it was composed entirely of novices. Annual Sports: The weather again was unkind. They had to be abandoned till the following afternoon, and on a subsequent day they were completed. Only a few records were made, but all the events were keenly contested. Inter-School Sports: — These were fixed for Wednesday, 10th. October, but rain prevented. They have been postponed until next year. Tennis; The new tennis court is always well patronised and is a decided sporting acquisition. I desire to thank the Board members for their help and courtesy throughout the year. To my staff, 1 am grateful for their loyal and efficient services both in the School and in the playing fields. The senior pupils, who may be leaving this year, have my best wishes for a bright and prosperous career; the younger I hope to have again in February 1935, after a good, happy holiday. Miss Una Richardson, on behalf of the girls, and Trevor Judkins, on behalf of the boys, expressed appreciation of the good work done for them during the past year by their teachers, in sport and in school work. The happiest relations had existed between the staff and Jhe students, all of whom wished to express their appreciation of the untiring zeal of the masters. Both wished the Principal and staff the happiest of holidays. The prizes were distributed by Mrs McLaren as follow: James Hutton “Dux Medal,” Michael Jermyn; Run-ner-up, Robert Harvey; Mr Coates’ Special Prize (general excellence in and out of school), Ed. Kibble (boy), Unit Richardson (girl); late Dr MeBrearty’s prize (best in Free Place forms), Colin Davy; Form V.b, Betty Tucker; Form IV, Peter Hooper; Form 111, Janet Jermyn; Commercial Student, Agues Smithers; Commercial Student (for general excellence), Norma Tyson; International History, Alex Crerar; Commercial Ist. Year Student, June I’rfce; Work in Engineering Class E 3 and 4, John McFadyen; Work in Engineering Class E2, Colin Davy; Most Improved Pupil in English E 3 and 4, Andrew McEwin; Most Improved Pupil ImEnglish E 1, R. Gifkins; First Year Trades Pupil, Douglas Smith; Cookery Classes, Meta Girvin; General Progress in Home Science, Mary Chapman; Good Work in Home Science, Davy Hall; Outstanding Girl in Dressmaking, Agnes Smithers; Marked Progress in Dressmaking, Valerie Pasfield; Most Improved Boy in Woodwork, William Airey; General Work in Agriculture, James Moss; Social Activities, Trevor Judkins; drawing and letter-writing, Joyce Martin; Athletic Champions: Senior Boy, E. Kibble; senior girl, Agnes Smithers; Junior Boy, R. Watson; Junior Girl, Morv'ern Cornish; Tribal Cups: Girls, Arawa (leader, neath Thomson); boys Takitimu (leader, Robert Harvey); Old Pupils’ Cup (“The James Hutton Cup”), best all-round sport, Ed. Kibble. Annual Saw-sharpening and Tool Management Competition: First (Disston and Sons, panel saw). Wm. Waugh; second (C. Taylor’s, Ltd., Sheffield, chisels), Douglas Mann; third (Canadian Foundries and Forgings, clawhammer), Jackson McLennan. Wm. Robert Friar Memorial Prize (N.Z. Defence Forces), best Cadet in Area 98, Robert Harvey; Bats fdr centuries in inter-school cricket, D. Knapp and A. Vaughan. A vote of thanks, carried with acclamation, was accorded Mrs McLaren for distributing the prizes, and cheers were given for the . Principal and Staff and for the Chairman. During the afternoon items were contributed by the School Choir (under Mr J. Patterson), the School Orchestra, under Mr L. Francis), and Miss Nancy McKane (humorous recitation). The National Anthem concluded the ceremony.