GREY EDUCATION BOARD.

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1911, Page 8

GREY EDUCATION BOARD.

<fr INSPECTION REPORT ON OOBDEN SCHOOL. Head Teacher: Mr. L. F. de Berry, M.A. . c Date, of annual visit : 28th November, 1910. Registers : Roll 203. Present 195. Registers neatly and accurately kept. Record of work : Satisfactory. Record of tests : — Tests suitable and carefully recorded. • Time-table : Suitable. Schemes of work : Very satisfacto-T-General: — The work of this, school . was fair in Standard VI, very fair in Standard V, good in Standard IV, very fair in Standard 111, arid very good indeed in Standards I and 11. The only subject really weak in any of the classes , was Standard *V. arithmetic. TheMwork of Standard VI was somewhat uneven in character — about one-half of Tt being excellent, the other half weak. A ' little more care in the promotion of pvpils and a little more attention to backward ones would probably remedy this. As a Standard V, the' present Sixth was reported as being Very weak last year, arid the head teacher deserves credit for having averted the expected breakdown at this examination. ' . • A series of excellent lessons has been given in First Aid and Ambulance work, and the practical work of," the pupils was very good indeed. Special attention has alsq 'been given to physical drill and exercises. The wand drill of Standards VI and V, club exercises of Standards 111 and IV, and dumb-bell exercises of Standards I and II were very creditable displays. The singing of Standards VI and V was good; .but I was disappointed in that of the other standards. The teachers were nervous and pitched the songs far afiove the compass of .the children's voices. They struggled bravely enough, but the effect was not pleasing-. Would it not ' be possible for Cobden teachers and committee to raise funds and pur- 1 chase an organ or a piano for their school? Within the last four years Blackball, Taylorvi!le, Runanga and Greymouth teachers "have taken the initiative, raised funds and furnished their schools with instruments. Nelson Creek, Ngahere, Kokiri and Dobson have also their assistance in school work. Cobden alone U the only school above £rade IV wihout one. I'he disciplne and organisation of the school was good. Order, attention and manners, very g-ood. Sewing very ,good. The following is a general estimate of the work iln the various standards: — Standards VI and V.— 45 pupils. Teacher, Mr L. F. de Berry, M.A., Standard VI were satisfactory in arithmetic, spelling, composition, geography, and recitatibn; good in writing; very fair in drawing; very good indeed in science. Standard V. were very weak in ar"•lvmetic; satisfactory in' geographyvery fair in spelling and writing; ffoodin read-ng; very good in compos]t?on; very good indocd in. science. Standards 111 and IV., .45 pupils. Teacher, Miss Moore. ' Standard IV were excellent in spelling: very good indeed in composition : very fair in writing and drawing; fair in geography, reading and 'history; good in science. Standard 111 were very good indeed in spelling ; very good in writing; good in science ; fafr in all other subjects. Standards II and I, 51 pupils. Teacher, Miss Soi-heran. In .both classes arithmetic an 3 spelling were excellent ; recitation, very good, reading and comprehension, good; arid . geography ~*n Standard II very srood indeed. The above results are very creditable to Miss Sotheran, and it is to foe regretted that the school has now lost her valuable services owing to her decision to retire from teaching -work. Her long and honourable career in the district has been marked by a. painstaking- industry, thoroughness, and whole-hearted devotion to duty which is worthy of the highest praise, and which her younger sfsters in the profess"'bn will do well to initiate. From lier first year of service to her' last her work has been, consistently effective and successful. She has been in every way a loyal, and faithful servant of the Board; and her withdrawal from the ranks is regarded with genuine regret. Infants : 72 pupils. Teacher, Miss' j Barrihttl. The condition of these , classes was, as usual, in every respect satisfactory, and the upper division is well qualified for promotion to Standard I. E. H. SCOTT, . . ■ Inspector.