THE BOYS’ SCHOOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 307, 11 December 1931, Page 14

THE BOYS’ SCHOOL

HEADMASTER’S B,EPORT. BREAK-UP CEREMONY TO-NIGHT. Following are extracts from the annual report of the headmaster of the Napier Boy-s’ High School (Mr W. T. Foster) to bo presented at the break-ing-up ceremony to-night. After tracing tha state of the school immediately after the earthquake, Mr Foster explains tho position following amalgamation with tho Napier Technical College. “Then, -with one exception, the usual courses offered have been provided since the re-opening of school, the transferring of Mr Huston to Timaru leaving us without an agricultural master, and this course has therefore been left in abeyance. Since the amalgamation, of course, the usual branches of manual and technical work have been provided. As there was no demand for an art course this year, nothing has been done in that direction except that tho services of Mr V. J. Rush were requisitioned for sufficient time each week to provide for those boys who require drawing for public examinations. “Candour forces mo to admit that in some respects we have not covered as much ground this year as in past years. The time lost between the earthquake and the resumption of school work, and various other difficulties have militated against the maintenance of normal progress. For this reason I feel that examination candidates from the earthquake area deserve special consideration at the hands of the examining bodies. However, the boys have shown, both in work and in play, commendable determination to rise above disaster and to retrieve the

broken fortunes of their school. From tho first day of resumption, one could not fail to notice the chastening effect of misfortune and tho splendid spirit of loyalty to their old school. “The Old Boyjs’ Association and the Parents’ League, though naturally restricted in their operations, have not ceased to function. Both have already done valuable work in assisting the school on its difficult path. EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. “The following is a list of successes gained by our pupils in the annual examinations: University National Scholarships 2, Credit in University National Scholarship Examinations 4, University Entrance 25, Public Service Entrance 16, Senior National Scholarship I, Junior National Scholarships 2. Accountants’ Preliminary (Full Pass) 1, Accountants’ Preliminary (Partial Pass) 1. Senior Free Place 65. “It is gratifying to be able to report that for the first time in its history, the school has won two University Scholarships, while four others passed with credit. It is even more pleasing to be able to state that those boys who were so successful last year, have gained fresh laurels at this year’s University examinations.” 4 After detailing the damage to the hostel, Mr Foster says:—“Though the hostel has been conducted under circumstances so trying to the staff and especially to Mrs Foster, we have had practically no illness, while the diligence and general conduct of the boys have been highly satisfactory. EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS LEAVING SCHOOL. “The necessity for some link between employers of Labour and the post-primary schools has long been evident. The depression now existing led me to comemunicate with various public bodies with a view to forming an organisation to deal with the matter. I am glad to say that a permanent committee has been set up and is now engaged in formulating schemes for co-ordination between school and employers. The problem cannot be solved without the co-operation of all the busiuess men in the town. Nor is the committee in a position to create jobs for children leaving school. I have hopes, however, that the committee may lie able to make suggestions that will at least assist in improving the oultook with regard to employment. “Closely connected with the foregoing is tho question of unemployed boys and girls. The danger of allowing them to idle at home or on the streets must bo obvious to all, and forms one of the most pressing problems of tho moment. Candidly, Ido not think that some parents realise the seriousness of tho position. We have approximately 65 boys looking for positions now-. Many of the boys arc young enough to return to us, but their parents arc possibly unable to keep them at school. I certainly trust that tho seriousness of the problem will not be aggravated by any curtailment of free places. Cannot something be done? It is certain that little will be done if we remain passive, and yet an invitation to parents to discuss the matter a fetv weeks ngo did not meet with a very generous response. “I wish gratefully to acknowledge contributions to our prize fund from the following: The Board of Governors. the Old Boys’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Miss D. M. Arthur, Messrs W. Dinwiddie, P. Ashcroft, J. Clark Thomson, W. E. Storkey, J. C. Swan, J. G. Thornton, R. W. Hannaford, G. H. Biekerstaff, C. F. Edmundson, T. A. Heath, M. F. Woodward, and Dr. Dudley Ashcroft.