HIGH SCHOOLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1937, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOLS

BOARD OF GOVERNORS. VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE QUESTION. The last meeting for this calendar year of the Palmerston North High Schools Board of Governors and Technical School Committee was held last evening. Those present were Mr M. H. Oram (chairman), Mrs M. Aitchison and Messrs A. A. Langley, G. Tremaine, J. A. Nash, A. J. Graham and. Colonel J. H. Whyte. There were also present Miss E. E. Stephens (principal of the Girls’ High School) and Messrs J. Murray (rector of the Boys’ High School) and G. G. Hancox (director of the Technical High School;. Replying to representations that consideration be given to the extension of special provisions for vocational guidance to cities other than the four main centres, the Director of Education advised that it was not intended at present to do more than try experimental schemes in the four centres. It was hoped that as the outcome ot those experiments it might be found possible, at a later date, to enable more systematic help to'be given in other centres without sacrificing the many valuablo features of the work done in vocational guidance and placement under present conditions by the teachers and principals of schools. The letter was received. TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

The director of the Technical School submitted the following report“ The following donations have been received: £3 3s from the Old Students’ Association for the prize fund; £2 2s from the Palmerston North City Council for the dinner cooking competition. Mr and Mrs H. M. Essex have donated a handsome challenge cup to bo presented annually to the senior girl swimming champion. At the annual exhibition open to parents and the public there were good attendances. On our own grounds we played cricket and tennis against teams from the Masterton Technical High School. When the games were abandoned owing to rain, the advantage lay with us. Cadet corps: The McNab Shield, awarded to the best marksman in the cadet corps, has been won by C S.M. Bruce Andrews; the Jubilee medals by C.S.M. B. Andrews and Lance-Corporal L. Robertson; the Collinghame Shield for the most efficient platoon by Arawa. The club championship for the year has been won by Arawa Club (6 points), _ Ngapuhi and Rangitane gaining 5 points and lainui 4 During this week, an effort is beincr made to teach all those unable to swim to do so. Owing to ill-health, Mr D. M. Scott, 8.A., is applying for nine months’ leave of absence. On behalf of the school, I wish to thank

you and the other members of the hoard for tlie assistance rendered during the year and to wish' you tlie compliments of the season.” GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. Tlie principal of the Girls’ High School reported that the roll number was 236 and the average attendance 227.4. The report proceeded : — 1 Owing to prolonged delay in delivery or the last lot of new curtains and rods, the hanging of the curtains is not yet completed. The steel frames of the upper portion of the windows in the main buildings are rusting through one alter another. Three times one of these windows has almost fallen out, and the risk of an accident is considerable. Acting on Mr E- RHodge’s instructions I rang Messrs Taylor and Pointon on November 28 and instructed them to go over all these fanlights and replace all the rutsy joints. This will be done during the Christmas vacation. Garden party: The Parents’ Association held the annual garden party at the school on December 4. Conditions were pleasant, and the function passed off very successfully. The girls assisted by contributions to the various stalls, selling tickets, putting on drill and dancing, and a mannequin parade by the dressmaking classes. They showed admirable energy and ability to cooperate. I should like to record my appreciation of the practical interest shown by the Parents’ Association in the school. Examinations: Term examination, have been conducted for the third and fourth forms. Twentythree candidates are sitting for , University entrance and school certificate, and two for school certificate only, Learn-to-swim week: All girls unable to swim are making an effort this week to swim one width of the baths, and those able to swim the width are aiming at one length. Each class is having one period per day of swimming and life-saving instruction. It has not been possible to hold the regular swimming sports this year, but I hope to take one afternoon next week for demonstration swimming and lifesaving, and on that occasion to hold the four essential events for senior and junior championship entrants, and •to award the swimming cups for 1937 on the results: —“The report was received. It was decided to forward a letter of appreciation to the Parents’ Association in recognition of their work in connection with the gala day. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The rector of the Boys’ High School reported that the roll number was 350 and the average attendance 342. Mr R. Stacey had been appointed ,to a B grade position at the Gisborne High School. The report proceeded: “The Training College entrance, Public Service entrance and intermediate examinations have been completed. Examinations for University entrance and University scholarships are now proceeding. I ask authority to place the usual science equipment order, to have certain minor repairs to desks attended to during the vacation, and also to expend up to £ls toward the purchase of a microscope for use in teaching biology, the Department of Education to be asked to make a grant of £ls to subsidise .this. Instruction to lehrners in swimming is being given in the school baths. Twenty-five boys are beginners and 100 others are receiving further tuition and practice. The annual cricket match with the Wanganui Collegiate School resulted m a draw, and the annual match with the Napier Boys’ High School will be played at Palmerston North on December 16-and 37. The annual shooting match with the Napier Boys’ High School was fired last week and was won by the Palmerston North Boys’ High School by 951 points to 948. Only a comparatively few boys do not take the ration of milk which has been delivered daily since November 23.”—The report was adopted. The meeting decided to forward letters of thanks to the donors of gifts and trophies.

I„ conveying the to the members qf t e sc h o ols, and principals. offirman extendthe office s t a ®>, v, nar d members for ed thanks to th given him the co-operation ; said ho would during the Y ear ;. p r( | appreciation of like to place on record‘ .PR of the the good work of P had l>een unthree schools. iney the j r ef&:S bS in

nals of the three schools saying &rd had been exceedingly lortun. To those remarks could be added staffs of the schools They, too, done excellent work. Suitable replies were made to expressions of good wishes.