TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1934, Page 6

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

MEETING OF BOARD. At the monthly meeting of the Board of Governors of the Grey mouth Technical High School, Mr T. E. Coates presided. Also present were Mrs. ('. Chalk, Alessrs. F. B. Lawn, A. A. Adams, A. H. McKane, AV. 11. Parfitt, W. Kyle, J. Nelson, and J. B. Kent. Mr Coates was re-elected to the position of chairman, after which he welcomed Mr. McKane, the newmember of the Board, who suitably replied. Mr. Kyle brought up the question of pupils operating the motor lawn mower, stating that, there was always the danger of injury, and they were not covered by insurance. The reason for the groundsman (Air. Richardson) not operating the machine was that Mr. Mitchell, tin* engineering instructor, who was in charge of the repair shop, considered the groundsman was too rough with the machine. There appealed to be personal feeling between the two men. Alessrs. McKane and Adams were appointed to go into the question to see if they could effect a satisfactory settlement of the difference existing. Air. Nelson described the trouble as being “a storm in a tea-cup.” The Education Department advised that a grant of £8 had been made for installing electric light in the manual

training room, the total cost of which was £l4. Alessrs. Adams and Parfitt were appointed the Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. The Chairman said that the grounds were in a bad. state after wet weather. Thev hoped to raise funds to effect improvements, possibly by putting in tile pipes. The grounds required surface draining. The Principal said that, whilst waiting for trains, pupils had sometimes tin unpleasant hour-and-a-half to spend, and it would greatly relieve the monotony and add to their enjoyment if a radio set were installed at the school. Mr. Nelson thought that as tar as agriculture was concerned, it would be a great idea to have the children interested in the drainage work. It was decided to devote funds raised by fetes, this year, to draining the grounds at the school. Mrs. Chalk thought the suggestion to install a radio was a splendid idea, but would like to see the grounds fixed up first. 'flie Principal remarked that the annual sports were becoming popular, am] the children enjoyed them. Fewer were doing nothing now, he added. The Principal said that the native plantation was a credit to the school. If they could get rows of native trees in the playground and on the eastern side of the grounds, it would at once make the place handsome, and. this was what Air. E. L. Kehoe, a member of the teaching staff, who was very keenly interested, had in view. He thought Mr. Kehoe’s idea was to have the younger generation have some re sped for native trees and forests—every tree that grew.

It was decided to thank Dr. W. McKay for a donation of plants, and. also congratulate Mr. Kehoe on his splendid work in connection with the planting and cultivation of the native trees. Principal’s Report

The Principal (Air. R. McLaren) reported that the average roll for August and September was 305, and the average attendance 90 per cent., not as good as usual. Annual Examinations. —This is the term for examinations, and their results. As for the utility or virtue in examinations, one might say that the School endeavours to work for the most profitable. The Junior Schoo-1 has the Intermediate and the Senior Free Place Exams.— both carry the Government stamp. Our senior students, this year, are soon to prove the value of the new school certificate, about which the Technical Schools have three maingrievances:— (a) It fails to recognise handwork subjects—woodwork and metalwork. (b) It is not wholly undertaken by the Education Department. (c) Its entrance fee is too ex pensive. Nevertheless, we are presenting 23 pupils, but 19 of these are conjointly sitting for Matriculation. Our Commercial students are prepared for the standard recognition of the Public Service Commissioners’—a test which carries the Government’s sanction of merit. This year we have 23 candidates for Public Service Commissioners’ (junior), 10 for Public Service Commissioners’ (senior), and two for Ist section Bachelor of Com. Degree. We hope that successful awards may await our students. Annual Exhibition and Fete.—On Thursday, 20th September, our Committee met and fixed the annual fete for Wednesday, 17th October, when it is expected that a favourable day and a good attendance may crown the efforts expended for the benefit of our school children. The procession, as usual, will be the [colourful feature of the day. .New Plumbing Shop.—This week-end, the new building may be completed—a very useful addition to our practical equipment for technology. Winter Sports.—These are practically over. I am pleased to report that more and more our pupils are apprecaiting the value of open-air games, especially the girls, who this winter, have turned out so sportfully to represent the School and to enjoy the popular basketball contests. Physically and socially the evidence adduced is all to the good, for these girls are a credit to the female members of our staff. Of the average number of 160 boys, well over 100 have actually participated in games—Rugby, Soccer, and Hockey. Without entering in the details of the wins and losses of the various grades, let me say that 70 boys donned the Rugby jersey, about 40 played Soccer, and 15 Hockey. The tolerant sporting element commends itself- to the boys—a sure yet effective tribute to the unanimity of the male teachers of the staff. Annual Sports Day.—These were scheduled for Wednesday, 26th September, but adverse weather set in and although we had

the afternoon of Thursday, 26th September, fine, we have still half of our programme unfinished, awaiting the first suitable day. Inter-School Sports Day.—Following the good lead of last year, we intend holding a half-day tournament for field sports on Wednesday, 10th October, beginning at 1 p.m., when Hokitika and Reefton High Schools, and Atari st Bros., will send their representatives to compete with our pupils. The report was adopted.