STEADY PROGRESS OF BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6864, 20 March 1929, Page 8

STEADY PROGRESS OF BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Good Scholastic Record TECHNICAL SCHOOL ALSO FORGING AHEAD In his report to last evening’s annual meeting of the Palmerston North High School Board of Governors, the chairman (Mr. W. B. Birnie) records steady progress on the part of the Boys’ High School during the past year. The roll number on Alarch 1 had entitled the school to rise a grade with the consequent addition of one master to the staff. In both work an'd play, opportunities had been afforded tho pupils to maintain the good traditions already formed and very satisfactory results had been obtained in both these departments. In all outside activities, footbaL, cricket, cadet work, shooting, swimming, etc., tho boys had enjoyed the careful supervision of the staff ana could not help hut reap a decided gain to their physical well-being. As far as the scholastic side of tho school’s lifa was concerned, a well diversified curriculum had provided op portunities for varying aptitudes, ami in the various public examinations very good results had been obtained. The high standard of secondary work attained was evidenced by the successes of two pupils who had each passed a section of the B.A. degree in three subjects and by three pupils who bad each gained a section of the professional accountants examination, and one who had passed a section of the bankers’ diploma. In scholarships, there had been one credit pass for tho junior university examination, three senior national scholarships had been gained, eleven higher leaving certificates had been awarded, and another pupil had been successful in winning a valuable agricultural bursary. Eesults in tho matriculation, accountancy, public service, and teachers’ examinations, had also been most satisfactory, proving that pupils were getting a sound training for these important examinations, which in many cases were necessary as an entrance to their future careers. The thanks of the board were due to the Parents’ association for theif continued interest in the welfare of the school. Functioning as a body in dependent of the board, yet co-operat-ing with it, tho association had materially assisted in the board’s efficiency by bringing parents into close touch with the staff.

Tho thanks of the board were also due to tho rector and his staff for their unstinted effort on behalf of the boys under their care, to Air. W. F. Burward for his work as chairman of the ground committee, and to Air. T, E. Hodder as ehairman of College house committee. The board hoped this yedr to be in a position to put the West ground in order, thus making effective the whole playing area. Technical School Also Developing Steadily. At tho Technical school, the year 1928 was ono of further development and progress. New workshops were erected and tho old ones remodelled. The Grey street ground was levelled and made available for physical training and games. Generally, these and minor improvements will enable tho school work to be done urrdcr better conditions. new classes provided, singing and physical culture had proved popular with the girls. The total number of students enrolled was 971 and in spite of the restriction imposed upon the issue of free railv/av tickets, pupils from outside districts showed a marked increase* which indicated that country parents appreciated the instruction given In the first term the weekly hour enrolments reached 10,306 /which was about four times the total for the corresponding term in 1924. Excellent examination results in- all branches showed that really sound work was being done. Thanks were due to parents for warm support and generosity in all objects connected with the welfare of the school; to the Cosmopolitan club. Manawatu A. and P. association-and master plumbers for providing scholarships; tff ■the Palmerston North Borough council, Kairanga County council, Society of Accountants and Luneh club for don-a-rions; to Mrs. Oswald Telford for providing a pantomime in aid of the school funds; to officers of the Education and Public Works departments; to Air. J. A. Nash M.P., for assistance which lias contributed towards increased facilities for school expansion; and to tho Director and staff for excellent work done for the pupils.