GORE HIGH SCHOOL.

Mataura Ensign, 15 December 1911, Page 6

GORE HIGH SCHOOL.

CEREMONY

/ YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED

The third "breaking-up" ceremony and presentation of prizes in connection with the Gore High School took place at the Dominion Hall yesterday 'afternoon in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. Mr A. Martin, jun. (chairman of the Board of Governors) presided and there were associated with him on the platform members of the Board, the teaching staff, and Messrs D. L. Poppfelwell (Mayor) and G. J. Anderson, M.P. A pleasing little function at the opening of the proceedings was the presentation by the girl pupils to the lady assistants, Miss H. P. Kerse, M.A., and G. C. M. Cameron, M.Sc., of handsome bouquets. The chairman submitted apologies for absence from Mr W. A. Ott (Mayor of Invercargill), Mr D. Gilchrist (chairman of the Southland Education Board) and a member of the Board of Governors), Mr W. Macalister (chairman of the Southland High School Board of Governors), Mr A. F. Hawke (Southland High School Board of Governors), Mr Thomas Mac Gibbon (Board! of Governors), Mr W. A. McCaw (Education Board architect), Mr Jonathan Golding (headmaster, Gore School), Mr John Mac Gibbon (Board of Governors), Mr Mac Gibbon (Board of Governors), Rev. J. M. Davidson and Rev. W. F. Evans. The chairman said he wished to extend to those present words of welcome and congratulation. Last year they were unable to take possession of their new school: since then the school had been completed, had been officially opened and taken over, and now, he might say, was none too large for their requirements- The building and its improvements had cost the Government about £6OOO and of that amount the country found practically every penny. It was now thought that the parents and those interested in the school should contribute a little towards the necessary minor improvements. In this matter the Board 1 of Governors lequired help and had made an appeal to which they, expected a liberal response as the governors needed every penny they could get. The sum required was £300; so far £95 had been contributed and £6O of that- amount had come from the country. He might mention that one gentleman, Mr Hugh Mclntyre, had undertaken to canvass his district, with splendid results and he thought that if .the same tiling were done in other districts it would be a good idea. Mr M artin continued that he hoped that in the near future their school would be so small that it would have to be added to. He believed that their accommodation would be taxed to the utmost by next term. In conclusion, he might say that it was a great pleasure to ihe Board to see that so many took an interest in the school. (Applause.) He called upon Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P., to address the meeting. Mr Anderson, who was received with applause, referred to the difference between addressing meetings of the electors as he had been doing of late and addressing boys and girls. He might say, frankly," that it was very difficult to find a subject which would hold the interest of the young people and the grown-ups as well. To commence with he would like to compliment the Board of Governors, with the staff of the school, upon the success which they had attained so far. He thought that the district should be proud of the Gore High School and that many would leave its walls to make their mark in the public and business life of the country. (Applause.) Proceeding, Mr Anderson touched briefly on the party system of politics and said he wished to say a few words on the quality of tolerance. They would find as they got older that people had all manner of ideas and that each individual was prepared to do his best to- further such ideas as well as he or she was able. It was necessary in such a country as New Zealand, where all were free and equal—a pure democracy—to remember to tolerate the views of the other person. One might hold his own views and stick to them but it should be remembered that everyone was fighting for what he considered the public good. Mr Anderson urged on the boys and girls that they were being educated so that they might efficiently carry on the affairs of the country. Every man and every woman who was not industrious failed and only those who learned to stick to it were successful. They should use their education for the benefit of the country and should) learn to think for themselves and apply their thoughts as best they could. Touching briefly on defence, Mr Anderson said that the boys ;would have-to defend the country. (Applause.) If they trained themselves well and the people saw that their children were trained he thought the white race could hold New Zealand. (Applause.) He urged the girls to assist in the matter with their sympathies and approval. (Applause.) The next speaker was the Mayor (Mr I). L. Poppelwell) who dealt at some length with education urging that school education was but a beginning—a foundation for the sterner education in the school of life. Mr Poppelwell mentioned the fact that the prize-list showed that giris were by far in the majority in winning prizes and urged the boys, to "buck-up" and not let it be said that the girls were ahead of them. Continuing, Mr Poppelwell congratulated the Board and the staff on the excellent results for the year and expressed the opinion that the school would progress still more when it was developed along the agricultural lines laid down for it. As the time went by the school's reputation, he felt assured, would continue to grow and! the institution would be one of which they would lie infinitely more proud than at the present time, which was saving a great deal. (Applause.) The chairman touched briefly on the technical side cf the school and presented the prizes as fallows, the various recipients receiving hearty rounds of applause from their scoblfellows:

J PRIZE-LIST. ! Special Prizes. I.—Mrs A. Martin's prize for most popular boy: Walter Joyce. 2.—Mrs (1. Hervey's prize for most popular girl: Gladys Pater son. a.—Reading: 1 (Mr W. T. Foster's

prize), Doris McLean; 2 (Miss Kerse'a prize), Frances Snodgrass. 4.—Writing: 1 (Mr .T. Hunter's prize), Netta Norton; 2 (Miss Cameron's prize), Jane Johnston. s.—Best Non-Com. in the School Cadets (Mr J. E. Strachan's prize): Sergeant Roy Domigan. FORM HI-v LOWER. English: Eileen McCarthy. Latin: Albion McKelvie. French and History: Doris McLean Arithmetic and Algebra : Eileen McCarthy. Geometry: Fredamk Trapski. Geography : Leonard Paterson. Mathematics: Leoni.rj Paterxu'i. ■General Progress: Malcolm Taylor. Languages (including History and Geography): Doris Mcl.tu: . General Proficiency: Doris McLean 1, Albion McKelvie 2, Margaret Harvey 3.

FORM 111 a UPPER. English: May Christie 1, Jessie Campbell 2. Latin: Nellie Boyne; (special) Olive Johnstone. French: Olive Watson. Arithmetic: Stanley Prebble. Algebra: Malcolm Robertson; (special) Elsie Tayles. Geometry: Jessie Latham. Geography and History: Marguerite Brand.

Mathematics: Marguerite 3ra:id; (special) David McKay (Mr G. Inder's prize). Languages (including History and Geography): Marguerito Brand. General Proficiency: Girls—Marguerite Brand 1, Nellie Boyne 2, May Christie 3. Boys—Malcolm Robertson 1, Stanley Prebble 2, Cecil Taylor and Harold Poppelwell (equal) 3. FORM lIIu. Shorthand: Amy Anderson. Book-keeping: Robert Milne. Commercial Correspondence and Commercial Geography: Robert Telfer. Commercial Subjects: Amy Anderson 1, John Lawson 2. General Proficiency: John Lawson 1, Eileen McCarthy 2, Herbert Hall 3.

FORM IVA LOWER. English: Jennie Boyne. Mathematics: James McDonald

Languages: Eva McPherson. General Proficiency: Jane Johnston 1, Etta Munro 2. FORM IVa UPPER. English: Vera McLean. Latin: Vera McLean. French: Gladys Paterson 1, Violet White 2. Arithmetic: David Burnett. Algebra: Hugh Brown. Geography: Linden Taylor 1, Irene Brown 2.

General Progress: Isabel Biggar, May Cruickshank, Netta Norton, Roy Domigan. Mathematics: Ada Smith. Languages (including History and Geography): Gladys Paterson. General Proficiency: Gladys Paterson 1, Ada Smith 2, Violet White 3.

FORM IVb. Shorthand: Margaret Sweeney. Book-keeping: Walter Parker. Commercial Subjects: May Inder 1, Irvine Jamieson 2.

General Proficiency: John Butel 1, Walter Parker 2. FORM V. English: Margaret Ambrose. Latin: Frank Sherwood (Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P.'s, prize).

Mathematics: Lilian Smith 1, Hugh Paterson 2.

Languages (including History and Geography): Lilian Smith 1, 'James Waddell 2.

General Proficiency: Lilian Smith 1, James Waddell 2. FORM VI. English (Old Boys' prize): May Inder. Geometry: Irene Taylor.

Trigonometry: Joseph Mcßride. Mathematics: Stanley Dunn. Languages: Mary Brown. General Proficiency: Cora McDonald

Dux of School (gold medal presented by his Worship the Mayor, D. L. Poppelwell, Esq.): Cora. J.' McDonald.

In presenting the dux with the medal Mr Martin extended his hearty congi atulations and said the medal was a very handsome one and well worth winning. It had the monogram of the school on one side and the winner's name was engraved on the other side. On coming forward the dux was heartily applauded. ' "&W1 tk OTHER TROPHIES.

Mr Poppelwell on behalf of the citizens of Gore handed to the rector the handsome silver Citizens' Shield for the boy winning most points at the annual sports, the first winner being Stanley Dunn. He handed the shield over to the rector with the best wishes that it might be well competed for from time to time and that it might prove an incentive to the athletic capacity of the boys.—''Applause.) Mr E. R. Bowler handed to the rector his handsome silver cup for the junior boys and said he hoped it would be long retained in the school. The first winner was Gordon Gerkin.—(Applause.) Rev. G. Hervey referred to the fact that the girls had proved more successful on the prize-list than the boys, and expressed the opinion that the position might be reversed next year. (Applause.) He said tliev were proud of their staff.—(Applause.) It had a good moral and literary atmosphere.—(Applause.) He had the greatest pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the entire staff for their services, and that the meeting express its high appreciation of the work and services rendered.

The motion was carried enthusiasticall v.

In responding the rector CMr J. Hunter) expressed the appreciation of the staff. It was customary mi such an occasion for the rector to refer to the flux of tin School, fnd he won''] follow practice Hie ■u-inimr of dux nrirc was a girl i, o h -o gifted with brilliant g«nin? as with /logged "stick-at-it-ness." She had forked ''most' and he was exceedingly <*h»l she had come out toD, beating oven the dux of last vear bv 1 per cent.—(Anplause.) Cora McDonald had nil the disadvantages of having to travel to school and of being a. stranger in the tov.n, but she had come out on top, and lie was exceedingly raroiid to see her name there, as he had said. In regard to the predomin-

ance of girls' names on the prize-list Mr Hunter said that in almost every class they had some exceptionally bright girls and a boy had to be a bit of a genius to beat them.—(Applause.) The ooys hadn't half a show, and his sympathies were with them, as he wouldn't like to compete, against such girls himself.—(Laughter and applause.) He would like to take this opportunity of publicly expressing his appreciation :of the loyal services of his staff. He might say that he had a staff which could not be surpassed and very seldom equalled in the Dominion.—(Applause.) The rector concluded with a word of kindly advice to those about to leave the school and with the hope that the pupils would all enjoy a pleasant holiday. At the invitation of the rector the pupils gave cheers for the Board of Governors and the boys cheered the dux and Mr Hunter. The gathering was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. The various reports as presented to those present are appended:— THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' REPORT.

The following is the annual report of the Board of Governors:—

In presenting the third annual report of the work of the school our first words are those of congratulation. We have looked long and fervently to the completion of our new school buildings, and are glad to report that same weie completed during the year. The original plans were somewhat diverted from, in so far that the proposed cookery room which was intended to be in part of the main building was added to the woodwork room and a room was thus released as a class room. The buildings completed cost £5337 14s. In tliis was included the technical rooms (£430), playsheds, lavatories, fencing, etc. (£309), laboratory contract (£155), and sundries (£93). The seating (£176), electric light (£136), and laboratory equipment (£120) were over and above the £5337 14s. Together ,with ground improvements a. total expenditure of over £6OOO has been incurred, We are anxious to improve the grounds and surroundings of the school, such as a cricket pitch for the boys, tennis courts for the girls, and a fives court, and the plot set apart for the development of agricultural experiments and additional holly-tree fencing will cost fully £300., and for this amount we are appealing to our friends for assistance. Already close on £IOO is in hand. We sincerely hope the friends who desire to see higher education develop in our midst mil come to our assistance. The Government of the day has borne all the expense so far, and they expect those interested in the school to carry out such works as those mentioned. Our new school, which we can safely say is a credit to the district and an ornament to the town, was officially opened by the Hon. Sir James Carroll (acting-Premier) on June 28 last. Sir James was accompanied by the Hon. Mr Ngata, and both gentlemen gave interesting addresses, as also did Messrs G. J. Anderson, M.P., D. L. Poppelwell (Mayor of Gore) and W. N. Stirling (chairman of the Southland Education Board). In concluding our report on the erection of the school buildings we desire to express our high appreciation of the excellent manner in which Mr Owen Kelly and his staff carried out their work. During the year we have owing to increased attendance been obliged to add to our teaching staff, and Miss Gladys Cameron, M.Sc., and Mr J. E. Strachan, M.A., have been appointed. At the end of the second term we lost the services of Mr A. B. Fitt, M.A., owing to his desire to visit the Old Land and the Continent to further prosecute his studies.

In conclusion, the Board desire to place on record their high appreciation of the work of the rector and staff. We believe excellent work has been done under considerable difficulties in the pa st, and therefore believe that greater achievement will be accomplished in the future.

The results of the examinations have been most satisfactory, and we are looking forward to an increased number of pupils on our roll for the coming year.

A. MARTIN, Chairman, Board of Governors. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The following is the report of the inspector (Dr J. Anderson):

(Inspected October 28 and 29, 1911.) Rector: Mr Joseph Hunter, M.A. (Bl). Assistant Staff: Mr Wm. T. Foster, M.A., Mr J. E. Strachan, M.A. (B2) (Science), Miss Helen P. Kerse, M.A. (A3), Miss Gladys C. M. Cameron, M.Sc.

I. Attendance.—(a) Roll: 62 boys, 57 girls; total, 119. Present: 61 boys, 56 girls; total, 117. (b) Free Place Holders : Senior, 8 boys, 16 girls; junior, 46 boys, 40 girls; total, 110. (c) Scholarship Holders: Senior, 1 boy; junior, 4. boys, 8 girls; total, 13. 11. The subjects of instruction aro arranged at present to provide a general course and a commercial course. In the general course are included English, Latin, French, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, geography and history. In the commercial course, which includes book-keeping, precis-writing and business method, shorthand and commercial geography, pupils have the option of taking either mathematics or French. A third course—a science course—is also projected, to include chemistry, electricity and magnetism, and agricultural science. Number taking general course: 37 boys, 47 girls; total, 84. Number taking commercial course: 2.0 boys, 10 girls ; total, 35. As regards languages. 81 of the pupils are reported as taking Latin, nnd 99 French: 80 take both Latin and French ; and 18. of whom 17 are boys, confine their attention to English.

111. In the organisation of school the pupils are distribu+ede in five classes, namely, Form 111. (upper and lower) Ist year, Form IV. Cupper and lower) 2nd year, and Forms V. and VI. (together); with a roll number ranging from 15 to 30 pupils in each division. For commercial work, however, there is a different distribution into A and B groups, the A groups taking the general course and the B groups the commercial course. Both these groups work

together in English, algebra, arithmetic, geography (non-commercial) and French. Except as regards science, for which the apparatus ordered is not yet to hand, the time-tables make suitable provision for the various subjects in close accordance with the units allotted in the free-place scheme. In the employment of the staff the allotment of subjects has for its chief aim the employment to the best advantage of the special qualifications of each of the members. Thus, Mr Foster, the first assistant master, who is highly qualified in literary subjects, takes the English, Latin and French of Forms V. and VI. and the Latin and French of the Upper Fourth; and the headmaster with some work in other subjects himself takes the upper mathematics; The position of special commercial master is at present vacant, and Mr Strachan, who in the ordinary course would take science, is doing the commercial work. Most appropriately, but on a somewhat different principle, Miss Kerse has solo charge of the general course in Form 111. Upper and Miss Cameron in Form 111. Lower.

IV. Though the school was working short-handed at the time of my visit, and the conditions were therefore not normal, the evidences of promise in the work observed, the methods followed in the teaching and the skill and earnestness with which they were,applied were generally pleasing. Within the limits noted a good secondary education is provided, and there is every reason to believe that it is fully appreciated. As the school is yet young, the rang© of work may be described generally as extending to Matriculation in the general course and to the Civil Service Junior standard in the commercial

course. Most of tho pupils in the Sixth Form, however, I am informed, have already passed the Matriculation examination; some have been doing work up to tho Teachers' C standard, and one boy is preparing to compete for the Junior University Scholarship.

The work is now conducted in a handsome, well-lighted and well-ventilated building which in every detail observed shows that the builder has spared no pains to execute his contract in the best stylo of workmanship. When the science apparatus arrives and the present vacancy in the staff is suitably filled an opportunity will be given of further usefulness in making a prominent feature of agricultural science, a study that suggests itself as the most appropriate form of specialisation for a school so situated; and possibly at the same time i-oom may be found in the time-table for a further adjustment of courses in connection with the Technical School specially suited to girls who seek mainly a domestic course". (Signed) W. J. ANDERSON, Inspector. RECTOR'S REPORT. The following is the rector's (Mr J. Hunter) report: I have the honor to present the following report for the 1911 session. Much of the information that it is desirable the parents of tho children should have is contained in the annual inspection report, which has just come to hand and which is printed above. . Owing to the phenomenal increase in the roll number the Board of Governors found it necessary to advertise for additional teachers. At the beginning of the first term Miss G. C. M. Cameron, M.Sc., and Miss M. Wilson, M.A., were appointed temporary relieving teachers, and both gave faithful service. Subsequently Miss Cameron received appointment as permanent junior lady assistant. Thereafter until the end of the term Miss A. M. Bent-ham, M.A., did splendid work as relieving teacher. At the beginning of the second term Mr J. E. Strachan, M.A., who had been appointed science master, took up his duties. Owing, however, to the fact that our science apparatus has not come to hand Mr Strachan has not been able to take up the special work for which he was appointed, but has ably carried on his share of the general and, for the last term, the commercial work of tho school.

At the end of the second term we lost the valuable services of Mr A. B. Fitt, M.A., commercial master. His departure was a severe loss to the school, for both as a teacher and as a mail he wielded a powerful influence for'good among the boys and girls. We trust that his successor, recently appointed, will continue his good work successfully.

We commenced our second term in our new school; and, needless to say, both staff and pupils were sincerely thankful to be at last housed in comfortable, commodious and well-equipped premises.

Although, owing to the frequent changes in tho staff, the session has been an arduous one, still tho work of tho school has been most pleasant and satisfactory. Again I desire to express my sincerest thanks to the staff for the excellent way in which they have carried out their duties and for their continued loyalty to me as head of tho school. I desire also to express my keen appreciation of the friendly and sympathetic attitude of the chairman and members of the Board of Governors towards the staff and mvself. JOSEPH HUNTER, Rector.

Tho thanks of the Board of Governors are due to the following for donations towards tho prize fund: — Medal: The Mayor of Gore (D. L. Poppelwell, Esq.). Books: Mrs A. Martin, Mrs Geo. Hervey, Miss Kerse, M.A., Miss Cameron, M.Sc., Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P., Mr Geo. Inder, Mr W. T. Foster, M.A., Mr J. E. Strachan, M.A., Mr J. Hunter, M.A.. and the Old Boys' Club.

Cash Donations: Mrs Snodgrass, Messrs D. Campbell, R. H. Kennedy, J. Hall, R. L. Christie, J. White, Wm. Johnston, H. Smth, J. B. Paterson, Wm. Bovne, F. Norton, W. Johnston, P. Brnnd, J. Boyne. T. Brown, B. Parker, E. Tayles. A. Stewart-. A. Cruickshank, J. McKinna. T. Taylor, J. Watson, J. G. Brown, C. Kerse, Jas. Paterson, J. Dunn, G. Beattie, W. Gilchrist, T. Rhodes, A. Jamieson, T. Ambrose.