HIGH SCHOOL’S PROGRESS.

Matamata Record, Volume XI, Issue 897, 9 February 1928, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL’S PROGRESS .

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. t

“A Good Working Spirit." The- progress that the Matamata Junior High School has made during the past year was highly commented upon by the inspectors, Messrs. C. W. Garrard and M. Priestly, in their report of their visit to the school during August last. They wrote:— “ This school is under capable management and control. The teaching is of good quality and the order, attention and behaviour of the pupils are highly commendable.. Steady progresses being made in all classes and good work-spirit is in evidence. There are still some difficulties, especially in the matter of train pupils, who lose a portion of school time awing to the train service not exactly fitting in with school hours. It has now been established more than two years, and a marked increase in efficiency is in evidence this year, due principally to the fact that it is now more of an entity whereas previously it really consisted of groups of pupils from contributing schools. “ Advantage is taken by the headmaster of the special aptitudes of assistants, who. each, take one or more subjects in several forms besides having special charge- of one form. The school is visited by the Agricultural Instructor, who both teaches the pupils and advises the staff as to methods and courses of work. The wood-work and cookery rooms are well conducted, wood-work being of a specially practical nature and suited to the future requirements of the pupils.

“ A general and suitable scheme of grounds improvements- is in operation, when finished the frbnt area area should be attractive, and should lend a fine appearance to the school buildings. Accommodation is sufficient, and rooms are neatly and tidily kept.”

“ A very good report, indeed,” said the chairman, Mr. E. C. Banks. “ Just what I expected three, years ago. I said then that the teaching was in such a state that.it would take three years to put it into shape. Three years have gone, and we have a school second to none.” Mr. Kollett endorsed the chairman’s remarks and stated that>|t was no doubt with great satisfaction that one and all learned that the mspectors had at last satisfied themselves that the school was going ahead. ' . ■';>:"r

On the suggestion of Mr. Banks, the report was received and the staff accorded the committee's compliments. t Replying, the headmaster, Mr. J. F. Wells, stated that the staff was very keen and the report was indeed a fitting regard. The matriculation results had established a record that v/ould take a lot of beating and would be some years before this would occur. Last year they had gained three passes and one partial pass for the accountants’ preliminary examination, while this year’s results disclosed that of 11 entrants seven had passed. The Public Service entrance examination results showed a good’ number of failures, due mostly to bad arithmetic. The arithmetic papers were being made harder and this was making it very difficult for the girls. In spite of this 11 passes had been gained, as compared with six of the previous year. He pointed out that a good number of the entrants were not fit to take part in the examination and had been forewarned that they would not pass. He hoped to gain more Public Service passes next year, while at the same time he expected to have an entrant for the Junior Scholarship. He was not specially coaching for scholarships; it; was not etiquette to do so; but if a boy or girl had the ability every chance would be given to enable a pass. Only 50 senior scholarships had been awarded in ; Auckland, and eight had been gain-;; ed by district high schools, and of these one had been scored by Mata-• mata. •<