KOWHAI HIGH SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 10

KOWHAI HIGH SCHOOL.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. BIBLE READING SYSTEM. ATTITUDE OF MINISTERS. Satisfactory work is recorded in the biennial reports of the principal and committee of the Kowhai Junior High School, which will be presented to a meeting of parents and householders on Monday. The principal, Mr. R. E. Rudman, who retired in May, refers in his report to the highly satisfactory results of public examinations. Pupils of the school gained seven junior national scholarships, three Rawlings Scholarships, 18 senior free places and four passes in the public service' entrance examination. Mention is made of the active interest taken by all members of the staff in school games. Teams from the school took part in Rugby and Association football, cricket, hockey' and basketball. At the public school sports last year the Kowhai girls jwon the physical drill competition for the Erst time. " At the commencement of last year I made arrangements through the School Committee to have the Nelson system of Bible reading introduced, reading to comInence at 8.30," Mr. ■ Rudman says. Several members of the staff volunteered to help the clergy in the matter. Unfortunately, before the committee was fcble to consult the parents, the committee of clergy decided not to carry on, as jthey thought the early hour would inconvenience the parents. As over 300 children make a practice of arriving at school before 8.30, this objection, to my mind, seems weak." Most of the money raised for improvement of school grounds, the' library and other school activities in the past two years-had been obtained by the efforts of the staff and pupils, aided by the patronage and generosity of the parents, the report continues. The school savings bank was still as popular as ever and a largo sum was banked every year. The amount standing to the credit of children attending the school was £985. The committee's report refers to the favourable comment made by the inspectors, .who said that the school was evidently fulfilling admirably its function as a junior high school. Jts efficiency could bo summed up as " very good to j&xcellent." From December, 1927, to February, 1930, the amounts raised and subsidies granted by the Education Board totalled .£298. Of this £259 had been spent on improving the school grounds, the remaining £39 being placed in the bank until used for further ground improvements. / Mention is made of the good work done by the retired principal, Mr. Rudman, since the establishment of the school Mr. J. H. Fawcett is at present acting-principal.