High Schcol's Year Reviewed

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1938, Page 3

High Schcol's Year Reviewed

The total roll at the Whangarei High Schodl this year lias been the highest in the history of the school. This was pdinted out by the principal, Mr A. R. Ryder, last night, when reporting on the year’s activities at the annual prize-giving ceremony in the Town Hall.

The school roll opened with a total of 799 pupils, made up of 537 in the senior school, compared with 466 in 1937, an increase of 71, and 262 in the intermediate school, compared with 296 in 1937, a decrease of 34.

Staff Changes.

At the beginning of the year Miss L. A. Cairns, M.A., Dip. Ed., was appointed to a “D” grade position on the staff, and Miss L. M. Hemus succeeded Miss R. Edwards as specialist instructress in physical drill for girls. The increase in the senior roll necessitated the appointment of two teachers. Miss M. S. Woodhead, M.A., of the Gore High School, and Miss A. Flynn, as relieving mistress in home science.

During the year Mr S. B. Dunn, who had served the school well for 13 years, was appointed senior assistant at the Dargaville District High School and Mr H. E. Massey, M.A., of Wairarapa College, was selected to fill the vacancy. In the intermediate school Mr A. D. Me’,hell, of the Waihi District High School, was appointed senior assistant in place of Mr H. Moffitt. Miss K, J. Mirrielees has been on exchange in England, and at the beginning of the third term Miss E. Lawes was appointed to a position in the Marton District High School. At the same time Mr W. J. B, Hunter left to take up a position at the Hawera Technical High School. Mrs D. Mortensen and Dx\ W. H. Entwhistle had been relieving in this department this term. Examination Successes, Primary school certificates awarded in 1937 had totalled 141. Public Service entrance passes in 1937 had totalled 12, while other examination / successes were;

University Entrance, 1937, 29 (57 per cent); School Certificate examination, 1937, 31 complete and seven partial passes; Training College Entrance examination, 1937, five complete and one partial pass. University degree examinations, 1937: B. M. Wilson passed the first section of his B.Sc. degree, and K. A. Fagan the first section of his B.A. degree.

Twenty-eight pupils had passed the theory examination in Pitman’s shorthand, and 14 the speed tests (76 per cent). Two pupils had passed the junior Government shorthand-typists’ examination. Evening Classes. The number of students enrolled in evening classes this year was 132, compared with 108 in 1937. Additional classes were formed in practical plumbing, motor engineering, engineering workshop practice, and ma-chine-drawing. School Curriculum. The curriculum in the senior school had been still further extended to provide a course in engineering, inaugurated by Mr W. J. B. Hunter. Since Mr Hunter’s departure, Mr D. W. Lawson, of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, had been appointed instructor in engineering. The agricultural course had been partly held up by the uncertainty of the position regarding the purchase of a school farm. With agricultural and engineering departments fully equipped, the school would be .able to give a complete course in technical as well as academic training. On

(he girls’ side interesting work was being carried out in arts and crafts, as well ,as in botanical field work. Sports Activities, The general standard throughout the school showed an all-round improvement. On the girls’ side the hockey and basketball teams reached a pleasing standard of efficiency, and tennis showed distinct improvement. The boys’ First XV. had developed into a good combination, and the First XI., the best team the school had had for some years, scored its first win against Mt. Albert Grammar School. The athletic and gymnatic clubs had functioned successfully, and the boxing club continued to make progress. The shooting club had maintained its high standard of efficiency, and this had been encouraged by generous help by friends of the school who provided special rifles and trophies. School Boarders. There had been 119 boarders in residence during the year. In Lupton House the maximum of 53 girls allowed had compelled the refusal of a number of applicants, while in Carruth House 66 boys were in residence. Appreciation.

Mr Ryder expressed thanks to those friends of the school who had shbwn interest in its work. The first effort to raise funds for the assembly hall returned nearly £2OO. In addition to contributions from pupils for trees and shrubs and from friends for trophies and prizes, library books had been given by pupils who had left the school. Much was owed to the members of the board for their efforts on behalf of the school, and to the staff, particularly the women, teachers, who had been working under trying conditions. “The work of the prefects in worthy of mention, and their example of leadership is to be commended,” the report continued. Janet Grant had been head girl of the school, and H. I. Rogers head boy. The head of Lupton House, Natalie Russell, had also given excellent work. During the year the pupils had shown a wonderful spirit of keenness, loyalty and co-operation.