Secondary Education in City

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 2

Secondary Education in City

MEETING OF HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD The Palmerston North High School Board of Governors and Technical School Committee met last night, Mr. M. H. Orain presiding. Also present were Mrs. M. Aitchison, Colonel J. H. Whyte and Messrs. A. A. Langley, A. J. Graham and J. A. Nash.

The chairman, in his monthly report for February, stated that, in conjunction with the director of the Technical School, he had called on tho Department and discussed the possible development of the grounds and buildings. Advice had been received from the Department that the work of renovating and adding to the boys’ hostel might be proceeded with, and tenders, closing on March 30, had now been called. The plans and specifications indicated that a very fine improvement would be effected to this building, and that facilities would be provided for much greater hostel development. It was gratifying to see that the rolls of the boys’ and the girls’ schools had been maintained to the extent that both schools would retain their last year’s gradings. A further step had been made in the establishment of the Rongotea-Bulls-Sanson bus service and, the approval of tho Department having been received, it was iioped to»*finalise this matter as soon as tho contractor could obtain a suitable conveyance. Matters generally had been running smoothly at the three schools, the chairman proceeded. As far as possible, the amended curriculum was adopted for February to provide for ihe hot weather, and a number of the outdoor annual functions had been successfully held. The assembly hall at the girls’ school was nearing completion, and it w T as expected to finish the work about the middle of April. The director of the Technical .School (Mr. H. M. Scott) reported that on March 4 there were 19 full-time and 35 part-time teachers and 630 day and 565 evening students. The annual athletic sports would be held on Wednesday, March 30. All 45 candidates for the typewriting examination in October last passed, 2G with distinction in tho junior grade and one with distinction in the senior grade. Mr. W. W. Young, who was head prefect last year, had gained an engineering bur sary and had proceeded to Canterbury University College Engineering School#

The contractor had made good progres with the new tennis court.

It was decided to write to Mr. Young congratulating him on his success. The principal cf the Girls’ High School (Miss E. E. Stephens) reported that the roll number on March 1 was 281, and the average attendance for the month had been 264.6. The number Of new entrants in the third forms was 83, as compared with 91 last year. There were also eight new entrants in the senior classes, and 190 old girls had come back, as compared with 175 last year. There were 115 girls in the fifth and sixth forms, and it was very probable that many of these would leave during the year. In accordance with the Department’s instructions, the ordinary timetable was modified during February to permit more time to be given to outdoor activities. Every class had one period a day for swimming or tennis, und successful classes were held for beginners. Tho tennis courts and swimming baths had been in constant use, with very gratifying results. The assembly hall was progressing steadily and looked most attractive. Mr. J. Murray, rector of the Boys’ High School, reported that the roll number on March 1 stood at 391, comprising 268 old and 123 new pupils. Agricultural bursaries had been awarded to J. Speedy and J. K. Rutherfurd. These w r ere tenable during the first year at Victoria University College and subsequently at Massey Agricultural College. A course of barracks training for the cadets was being earned out at the school from March 14 to 16. Special swimming classes had been continued with a view to training every boy in the school to be able to swim at least 50 yards. The Parents’ Association annual gala day would be held on Saturday nox*