Pahiatua District High School

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 114, 17 May 1938, Page 2

Pahiatua District High School

HEADMASTER’S REPORT A very comprehensive report of the past two years’ activities was placed before the Pahiatua District High School Committee recently by the headmaster (Mr. T. Clarke). The report was read as under: — “During the period under review there were three changes in the permanent staff—Miss N. McKittrick was appointed to a position on the staff of the Normal School, Auckland, Mr. G. L. Stafford was appointed senior assistant in the secondary department in the Huntly District High School, and Mr. It. M. Reid to a position in Hamilton. “Two secondary school public speaking competitions were held, the winners being H.arvene Davidson in 193 G and Keith Goer in 1937. “Honours gained in the various examinations were as follows: 33 proficiency certificates, 31 primary school certificates, 16 senior free places, four university entrance examination, one higher leaving certificate and nine public service entrance certificates. In the latter examination, in spite of a very short school year owing to the infantile paralysis outbreak, one candidate, Jean Britland, gained eighth place in New Zealand out of 659 places, and Henry Wagner and Henry Angelini filled the forty-seventh and fifty-first places, respectively. “The return to more normal times after the depression years resulted in an increase of the boarding allowance from 5s to 7s 6d in the case of those secondary pupils who are compelled to board while attending a post-primary school, the partial restoration of the library subsidy, and of free school books in necessitous cases to secondary pupils. “The period also saw the abolishment of the senior free place and the proficiency certificate, the latter in favour of the primary school certificate, which is non-competitive and is issued to all pupils who complete the Form 2 course. As a result of these reforms, the only examination now of a competitive nature before entering the university is the university entrance examination. “In October last year the contractors commenced the distribution of milk and approximately 240 children are supplied with half a pint daly. “Although the programme drawn up by the Coronation Committee for the entertainment of the school children during Coronation Week had to be curtailed owing to the dislocation caused by the epidemic, each pupil received a Coronation badge, a souvenir, and all were present at a free picture entertainment.

“The school time-table was amended during February of this year to permit 'of more outside activities. Visits were paid daily to the local swimming baths and, at the end of the month, 79 chldreu had been taught to swim from five to 220 yards. “The grade of the primary schools is now determined from the avorago of the roll for the first four weeks of the third term. As a result this school entered Grade 5 at the beginning of this year “The teaching staff and I greatlj appreciate the decision of the school committee to grant £SO for the purpos* of forming the nucleus of a reference library at the school. Hitherto, the providing of money for the building up of the school library has been left very largely to the teachers, but the fact remains that the provision of such an essential part of the school equipment should not be thrust upon busy teachers, who have enough to do without begging for reading material. “Sport: Sports, in the form of team play, occupy a position of high importance in the life of the pupils attending this school, as team play is rich in possibilities of opportunities for character training.

“Sports Day: A very successful sports day was held towards the end of each year. The programme caters for all children from the youngest upward, but included in the programme aro championship events to determine the athletic champions, boy and girl, in both the primary and secondary departments. Records are kept each year so that competitors will be able to compare their performances with those of previous years.

“Swimming: At the end of February this year a very successful swimming carnival was held. Times were kept so that comparisons may be made from year to year. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association awarded the following swimming certificates—lß certificates of merit to those who swam 880 yards, 20 certificates of proficiency for swimming 220 yards, 39 learners' certificates for swimming 50 yards, 10 certificates for swimming 25 yards, a total of 87 certificates.

“Rugby: In the seasons 1936-37, the secondary boys were handicapped by their lack of numbers, particularly in 1936, when practically every boy was needed to make up the ‘fifteen.' This lack of numbers was felt, not so much in matches against other schools, but in the weekly practice games at the recreation ground, to which we look for our opportunity of inculcating a healthy attitude towards Rugby as a game. However, the coming season promises to be the best we have enjoyed for many years. The roll number is such that we shall be able to field two teams and, with the enthusiasm already manifest we are looking forward to a most successful season. In all, six teams each season were entered for the King's Birthday tournament. The primary A team won the Cowan Cup on both occasions and the ‘Midgets' won the Brown Cup in 1937. A special word of praiso is due to those parents who, by conveying children in their cars, made games away from home possible on Friday afternoons. “Basketball: In 1936 the team, playing in the junior competition, performed very creditably in finishing one point behind the champion team. Last season

the girls improved on this performance and won the championship. Playing for the Gregory Cup, they were runnersup in 1936 and winners in 1937. For tho games played at school, the girls are divided into teams. Handicaps aro given and a series of games played to determine the champion team. “Tennis: Tennis is very popular and a high standard of play is attained. A full series of competitions were held m singles and doubles for girls and boys. Each year these were keenly contested, and were closely followed by the school. It is noteworthy, although it may be questioned, that this year the staff wod the annual tournament.

“Boxing: We are fortunate in having on the staff a boxing enthusiast, and no mean exponent of the art, in the person of Mr. Sefton Walsh. A boxing class of 60 boys is making good progress under his able tuition and it may be possible later on in the year to arrange for the parents to see the boys In a series of competitions. We are indebted to Mi*. H. E. Beales for presenting the class with a set of boxing gloves, and to the Pahiatua Boxing Association for the loan of several sots.

“In conclusion, I desire to thank the staff of the school for their wholehearted co-operation, the members of the school committee for favours received, and the Press for coming to our assistance during the enforced closing of the school at the beginning of last year and for publishing, free of cost, the assignments of work for all pupils from infants to Form 6.” The Dental Clinic. The report of the Pahiatua School Dental Clinic for the year ending March 31, 1938 (submitted by Miss de Beer) read as under:— “Attendances, 1392; new patients, 130; fillings, 4330; extractions, 209; miscellaneous operations, 329. “I wish to take this opportunity to thank the committee and school teachers for their co-operation, and especially Mr. Taylor for his helpfulness in arranging visits to country schools, which greatly adds to the smooth running of the Clinic.” Ministers’ Report. “In presenting a brief report on behalf of the Ministers' Association in regard to Bible lessons in the Pahiatua School, I am happy to say that the work has been well sustained in both the primary and secondary departments. “Since tho last householders’ meeting was held, several changes in our personnel have occurred—the Rev. K. L. Warren has left and has been followed by the Rev. A. A. Armstrong, Captain Legg and his lieutenant have been replaced by Captain Kearse, while 1 myself am on the eve of departure and I shall be followed by Rev. W. E. Moore, from Geraldine.

“The lessons for the most part have been based on the Gospels and the Book of Acts and I believe it is the opinion of my association that tho work has been well worth while. Wo should like to thank the school staff for courtesy shown during our visits to tho school.” —(Signed) C. M. Roberts.