JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

Matamata Record, Volume VII, Issue 587, 4 December 1924, Page 4

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

HEADMASTER'S MISGIVINGS Primary Pupils' Interests. May Possibly Be Sacrificed. Pessimistic views in regard to the Junior High School system, as applied to New Zealand, were expressed informally by Mr. H. MooreJones, headmaster of. the Matamata Public School, at a meeting of the committee held on Monday night. The chairman (Mr. F. E. Lark) reported that the Minister's offer in regard to the Junior High School had been accepted. (Already publisher in the Record).

The fifth and sixth standards would move to the Junior High School, according to the scheme, hut the speaker thought that at Matamata these two standards might have to remain at the primary school for a time. The headmaster, speaking informally, said that the beginning of the training was the most important. The tendency was to lose sight of the primary education, which was the fundamental work. He hoped such would not be the case when the Junior High School came in. If bringing the higher standards in to a central school would mean the putting of inferior teachers " next the farm," then in the years to come the people would have cause to regret their adoption of the scheme. The scheme would be good, provided that the primary education was not neglected. He had always sacrificed himself for the children, and he was anxious lest the primary education was neglected. The object of the Junior High School was to start the secondary education earlier. Why not train all the teachers up to the standard required for the Junior High School, and bring the Junior High School to the Primary School ? The Junior High School had been a success in America, but it did not follow that success would come in New Zealand. If it was not a success, then the children would be spoiled. He hoped it would be a success, not for any mercenary consideration, but for the sake of the children. The chairman said Mr. MooreJones had raised an important point, and the speaker hoped that committees would see to it that the Primary School children would not be neglected. However, the Junior High School had been in existence in Scotland half a century ago, and New Zealand was considered by the authorities to be years behind. He thought all the headmasters should have been at the conference before the scheme was decided upon. However, the speaker would watch the Primary Schools carefully, while heartily supporting the Junior High School. At present the larger towns scored every time in educational facilities, and the aim in the country was to equalise matters. He was sure that the present headmaster could not be improved upon, and he thoroughly appreciated what Mr. MooreJones had done for his (the speaker's) children. He moved that the committee ask Mr. Moore-Jones to remain with the Matamata School in the Primary Department when the Junior High School was established, and that the committee place on record, and forward to the Education Board, their appreciation of Mr. Moore-Jones and their desire that his services be retained at Matamata.

Mr. Hitchcock seconded, and added the name of Mr. Shanks to the eulogium. Other members endorsed the remarks, stating that the present headmaster's teaching ability had been proved over and over again with the various children. The motion was carried enthusiastically. Mr. Moore-Jones, in acknowledging the tributes, said he had a feeling that the Junior High School would not be in existence very long. He fully appreciated the kind remarks made. Mr. Moore-Jones later remarked that recently there was an English teacher relieving at Matamata, and in due course she had passed on, but she had since written stating that she would like to be back at Matamata, for she felt that she could be happy under the conditions obtaining, and the spirit animating the school. There was no other school that she had been to in New Zealand of which she could say so much in its favour.