The Waitaki High Schools.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6771, 18 December 1896, Page 1

The Waitaki High Schools.

The annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with these schools was made a joint function this year, and took place last night in the Wear-street Hall, there being a very large attendance of parents and friends.

Mr D. Borrie, Chairman of the Board of Governors, occupied the chair, and there were also on the platform Mrs Shrimski (who kindly distributed the prizes), Hi's Worship the Mayor, Archdeacon Gould, Rev. James Milne, Mr T. Y. Duncan, Dr do Lautour, and the principals of the two schools. Mr Borrie briefly opened the proceedings, and called upon Miss Ferguson to read the annual report, which ran as follows :

This year's report does not differ materially from those of preceding years. The usual subjects have been taken up, and the work has gone on in a systematic fashion; while the results snow that a great deal of perseverance and diligence have been practised by the bu'k of tlii scholars, English, as usual, ranks first in importance of all the subjects taught, and when this subject is mentioned in the prizelist, it must be remembered that it includes not only English literature, but grammar, composition, and essay-writing, to which subjects a larger proportion of time is devoted each day than to any'bther subject in the syllabuo. Toe scientific studies pursued throughout the year have suffered greatly from the want of a good microscope, and till such an instrument is provided, practical work in this department cannot proceed beyond a very elementary stage. The Inspector-General paid his customary annual visit to the school, and expressed himself well pleased with the work he saw carried on.

The number of pupils in attendance for the past year, so far as I am aware, is larger than in any previous year, the numbers on the roll lor the three terms being respectively 46, 48, and 42 ; while in regularity of attendance there has also been a m >rked improvement, greatly conducive to steady and f ffective work.

The Macandrew scholarship awarded yearly by the Board was gained i his year by Miss Rhpda Barr, who has proved herself highly worthy of it-. I may here explain for the benefit of those who may be desirous of having fuller information about this scholar' ship, that it is open to all candidates, who by taking advantage of a year's study at the Girls' High School, would be -sufficiently advanced to pass the matriculation examination at the end of that time. It has often been a matter of regret to their teachers that promising pupils who are well advanced in matriculation subjec s should be taken from school, when, in another year, they might wi h ease pass matriculation, which is considered to be a kind of "leaving standard" in our High Schools.

I should like again to point out the disadvantages which these pupils suffer who have nt had the opportunity of beginning the study of secondary subjects till after they have parsed the sixth standard. Although they may get much valuable training in some departments, they have lost the benefits of a thorough grounding in the elementary parts of secondary-subjects, which, except in the case of really clever scholars, will hamper them teriously in their subsequent curriculum. It is gratifying, however, to find that a somewhat larger proportion of pupils are now entering our school at the earlier stage I have so repeatedly recommended, namely, the fourth standard. We have had one Senior and one Junior Scholarship holder in attendance this year, besides the Macandrew Scholarship holder already mentioned, and one scholar who has free education.

The results of the matriculation examination, published after our last report, showed that the five candidates who went up for examination from our school all passed ; two pupils also passed the Junior Civil Service examination, and one gained a Senior Board fcholarship. Thus all the candidates, eight in number, who went ,up from our school were successful.

Several improvements have been effected in and about the School during the year. The tennis court has been assiduously used ; one match took place between our Tennis Club and that of the Timaru High School, for much of the agreeable character of which we are indebted to the Oamaru Club allowing us the use of their court. This annual or biennial match has become quite an institution ; and it is felt to be a pleasant means of keeping up an acquaintance between the two schools.

Our best thanks are due to the kind friends who have generously assisted in providing the prizes. Our dependence on outside assistance seems to grow greater every year, and any help extended in this direction is highly appreciated. For gifts of books and money we have to thank Mrs Barr, Mrs Creagh, Mrs Holmes, Mrs Gilchrist, Archdeacon Gould, The Hon; G. Jones, Messrs Rose, Familton, M'Douall, Eraser, and James Macdonald. It was a matter of some difficulty to decide upon the dux for this year. When the total percentages for all examinations held duringtheyearhad been added, the difference between the two at the head of the list was so slight as to make it hardly possible to place one above the other. I have, therefore, the pleasure of announcing Miss Martha Steven and Miss Rhoda Barr as the duces of the year. It has been a source of pleasure to their teachers that these two young ladies have always shown not only praiseworthy diligence and activity in their work, but also such a good example of amiability, pleasant manners, and thoroughly upright conduct as cannot fail to exert a beneficial effect upon their fellowpupils. We hope to see them successful by-and-by in gaining University scholarships and upholding the honor of the Waitaki Girls' High School in a wider sphere than at present. I have to thank my assistants for the valuable services they have rendered the school in this as in past years. The rector of the boy's school then read his reporb as follows :

The Waitaki High School Board of Governors.

Gentlemen, —I have- the honor to report to you on the work done during the year in the Waitaki Boys' High School. In the December examinations of the New Zealand University four pupils, namely, E. A. de Lautour, Neil Fleming, W. Grumitt) and T. Tudhope passed the matriculation examination. In the Otago University medical preliminary examination W. Wjaddell gained a pass, being first on the list in all subjects but one. Another pupil, who was a candidate for the New Zealand medical preliminary examination, passed in all the subjects necessary for matriculation, gaining high marks in many of the papers. This makes a total of six pupils who passed the matriculation standard. -For the Otago Education Board scholarship examination five pupils entered, all of whom gained a fair position on the list. One df them is. a candidate again this year, and has a cbance of gaining a scholarship. One pupil (D. Kay) passed the junior civil service examination.. . In the November examinations of the Otago-University E. A. de Lautour and W. Waddell passed in all 1 their snbjects. I notice in .the Jists the names of other old boys,-but as they did not receive the whole of their education I think it unnecessary to mention them. In the, degree examinations of the New Zealand.; University R. Thompson passed the first section of the B. A. examination and Mr W. ! G. Grave the final B.A. examination.! Mr W. J. Hislop has been appointed to; the surgeonship of the Ventnor Consump-; tion Hospital, Isle of Wight. In the) December matriculation examination of the: present- year we have entered three candi-; dates, who are likely to pass. Three other, pupils, W. Macdonald, B. Sumpter, and D.j Kay, who would have matriculated this

year, were obliged to leave school in order to go into business. I wish to exp'ain that the number of pupil 3 who enter for matriculation is not co-extensive with the number of pupils in the school who are sufficiently Advanced to pass. There are several pupils in the school who are as advancad as those who have entered, but who either do not wish to enter at all, or are preparing for other examinations. For this year's Otago Education Board's senior scholarship examination we have two candidates, one of whom has a chance of gaining a scholarship. Three boys have entered for the junior c vil service examination. 'Jhese candidates may be expected to take good positions. I wish it to be noticed that none of the candidates this year have had any private tuition, except what has been voluntarily given by members of the stiff, and I would add that boys are much more likely to do well in examinations if they receive no assistance either from private tutors or from their parents. Private assistance tends to perplex the masters of the school, who are unable ! o judge the exact nature of the diffi-. culties- experienced by their pupils. If parents wish to help their bovs, they can ; best do so by exhortation and advice, which are often very valuable. I have mentioned the examination successes of the boys with some reluctance, because the University and Government examinations for which boys enter 'cover only a portion, olten a small portion, of the '%ork that has been done, leaving unnoticed that part of the school teaching which is intended to awaken the mind and build up the character for the duties of after life. They have a tendency to teach boys to be satisfied with a low standard of attainment, and to neg'ect matters of great importance to their after welfare. As far 83 examinations are the door of entrance to the universities- and public services of the colony, it is a matter for congratulation to s"e so many boys coming forward as candidates. At the same time it must not be understood that because the boys of the Waitaki High School are now entering for examinations much more freely than they did some year 3 ago, the candidates will occupy m;<re responsible positions in after life than the former pupils of the school, or that their intellectual training is superior. I would earnestly remind parents that the best schools, boih here and at Home, are not those that work for " results," which are not an incentive to serious study, and are apt to prove a great disappointment to the pupil himself in later years. The very reasonable desire of the public to know what is being done in the school i should like to see met by a careful examination, by outside examiners, of all the work prepared during the year. Encouragement might be given in this way bcth to masters and pupils, pspeciatly if the examiners were the same for successive years, so as to establish a standard of comparison. For the reasons just stated I think I shall not be going beyond my province if I deprecate any attempt (of which I see a danger) to encourage a rivalry between the Boys' and Girls' High School in respect of examination "results." There are other means of comparison which are much more efficacious, and also less dangerous to the health and character of the pupils. I have again to thank the Board of Governors for the kind interest they have taken in the work and sports of the boys. The improvements made by them during the past two years have added greatly to the comfort of everyone connected with the school. In particular the levelling of the playground has had a marked effect on the cricket and football of the school, which has flourished greatly this season. It is very much to be regretted that many of these works were not completed before the school was 'op ned 14 year 3 ago, though they are none the less welcome because they have come late. I have also to thank the masters of the school for the kind manner in which they have given up their leisure ,t me to help the different candidates for .examination. Mr Grave in particular has foregone his honors examination for the M. A. degree in order that the work of the school might not suffer by his absence during the examination. We were unfortunate at the beginning of this term in losing the services of Mr (Jraddock, who was obliged to resign his appointment through illness. Mr Craddock was a thorough teacher, possessing remarkable skill in the preparation of candidates in English, French, and Latin. He had some excellent methods, and was conspicuously successful with the pupils prepared by him. Mr Graddock's place, I am glad to be able to say, was very efficiently filled by Mr Watt as locum, tenens. Mr Watt has interested himself actively in the work and amusements of the boys, and it is to his exertions that we are indebted for the play whioh is to be rendered at the close of this ceremony. In conclusion, I wish to thank the donors of prises, which you will see are of substantial value. I received a handsome donation from my friend and neighbor, Mr M'Lean, of Redcastle, a very handsome prize from Mr Reid of Elderslie, and very liberal subscriptions and gifts from Mr Holmes,. Mr Borrie, Mr Hutton, Hon. G. Jones, Mr Gilchrist, Mr M'Douall, Mr Montagu, the Mayor, the member for Oamaru, Archdeacon Gould, Mr C. E. Thomson, Mr Lambert, and others. I have also to acknowledge a grant of two guineas from the Waitaki High School Board. I have the honor to be, etc. John Harkness. The prizes were then distributed to the successful recipients by Mrs Shrimski, the prize-lists being as follows : Girls' School, PRIZE LIST. English—Senior : M. M'Gregor (Mr J. Macdonald's prize). . Middle: E„ BrookeSmith (Hon. Gr. Jone3' prize). Junior: L. Marten (Mrs Holmes' prize) History and Geography Senior: J. Elder (Mr Rose's prize). Middle: L. Diehl. Junior: K. Creagh ■*, _ Scripture—Senior : F. Every (Mr Familton's prize). Middle : B. Every.' Junior : 0.- Barr

Science —Senior: F. Every.- Middle L. Creagh (Mrs Holmes' prize). Junior K. Creagh French and Arithmetic —Senior ; M. M'Gregor (Archdeacon Gould's prize)

French—Middle : L. Firth. Junior : L. Diehl and R. Every (equal,"Mrs Creagh's prizes) Latin and Algebra—Middle: D. Gould. Junior : M. M'Gregor Algebra and Euclid: Middle : L. Diehl (Mr Fainilton's prize) Arithmetic Middle: M. Hamilton. Junior : L. Marten

Drill and Drawing—M. Sincla : r Spelling—L. Probert Writing—A. Ireland French, History, and Geography (2nd) — M. Hamilton

General Progress—L. Bulleid Mental Arithmetic—M. Steven (Mr Familton's prize) / Dux Prize—Rhoda Barr (presented by Mrs Gilchrist and Mr Fraser) Dux Prize—Martha Steven (presented by Mrs Barr and Mr M'Douall) HONORS LIST. (Total Percentages for the Year.) English I iterature—Senior : R. Barr, S6; M. Steven, 85 ;-M. M'Gregor,-84; L. Frith, 82; D, Gould, 81; M. Collis and J. Elder, 76; M. Sinclair, 75. Middle: Evelyn Brooke-Smith, 84; N. Lindsay, 79; K. Lindsay, 76; L. Diehl, 74; L Creagh.74; I. Glen, 73; R. Every, 72; A. Thompson, 71; M. Hamilton, 71. Junior: L. Marten, 'B4, A. Thompson, 77; K. Creagh, 77; C. Barr, 71. English Grammar and CompositionSenior: M. Steven, 89; R. Barr, 80; M. M'Gregor, 78; J. Elder, 77. Middle: L. Diehl. 71. Junior: L. Marten, 89; A. Thompson, 72; C. Barr, 71; K. Creagh, 70. , History—Senior: J. Elder, 74; L. Firth, 72. Middle : R. Every, 83; E. BrookeSmith, 78; L. Diehl, 78; M. Hamilton, 73; I. Gl&i, 72. Junior; £ Creagh, 83.

Geography—Senior: J. Elder, 78; I'. Frith, 75. Middle: M. Hamilton, 78; L. Diehl, 75; N. Lindsay, 74. Junior: K. Creagh, 77 Scripture—Senior: F. Every, 97; R. Barr, 89 ; J. Elder, S7 ; M. Steven, 83 ; M. M'Gregor, S2 ; D. Gould, SI; M. Collis, 78 ; L. Hedley, 75; L. Frith, 73. Middle: R. Every, 93 ; A. Thompsen, 78 ; L, Diehl, 77 ; B. Wright, 72; K. Brooke-Smith. 71. Junior: G. Burr, 75; L. Marten, 72; Iv. Creagh, 71 ' Science—R. Barr, 91 ;M. Steve, 86 ;F, Every, 85 ; J. Elder, 80 ; L. Hedley, 7-. Middle : L. Crengh, S7 ; K. Every, 85 ; L. Diehl, 84 ; M. Hamilton, SO ; A. Thompson, 76; E. Creagh, 89 ; L. Marten, k2; E. Lane, SO ; Ai. Thompson, 78; D. Thompson, 70 French—Senior (A) :K. Barr, 74 ; (C), M. Steven, 78 ; M. M'Gregor, 77 ; J- Mder, 70. Middle : L. Firth, 79; M. Sinclair, 70. Junior, R. Every and L. Diehl, 8G; M. Hamilton, S5; L, Marten, 79; K. Lindsay, 72 Latin—Senior : M. Stever, 74 ; R. Barr, 70. Middle : D/ Gould. Junior : M. M'Gregor, 88 ; L. Firth, 84. Algebra—Senior A: M.Steven, S4. Senior B : D. Gould, SO. Middle : L. Hedley, S3 ; E. Brooke-Smith, 70. Junior : L. Diehl, 88 ; M, Hamilton, 75. Euclid—Senior : K. Barr, 82 ; M. Steven, 78. Middle: L, Diehl, 90; M. Sinclair, 84; D. Gould, 72.

Arithmetic—Senior : M. Steven, 90 ; M. M'Gregor, 81 ; M. Collis and Lizzie Firth, 79 ; R. Barr, 76 ; L. Hedley, 73 ; M. Sinclair, 70. Middle: M. Hamilton, 84; N. Lindsay, S3 ; L. Diehl, 81 ; A. Thompson, 76. Junior : L. Marten, 89 ; Aileen Thompson, 77. Drill—M. Sinclair, 94 ;A. Thompson, 91 ; R. Every and Aileen Thompson, S9; J. Hood, 85; I. Glen and M. Orr, 84; D. Thompson, 80Drawing—M. Sinclair, T. Glen, Amy Thompson, L. Bu'.leid, M. Orr, L. Hedley, R. Every, K. Creagh, A. Ireland, R. Taylor, W. Bulleid. Wiiting—A. Ireland, D. Thompson, K. Creagh, b. Orr, M. Orr, R. Every. Boys' School. PRIZE) LIST. Ist Division Latin, T. Tudhope, 1 ; J. Bair and A. Tudhope, equal 2 Ist Division French, T. Tudhope, 1 ; J.' Earr and A. Tudhope, equal 2 Ist Division English, vV. M'Douall, 1 ; J. Barr 2 Ist Division Arithmetic, T. Tudhope and W A. Hutton, equal Ist Division Algebra, T, Tudhope, 1 ; E. Edwards 2 Ist Division Euclid, T. Tudhope, 1 ; G. W. Thomson, 2 Ist Division Physics, C. Houghton, 1 ; Fred Jones, 2 Ist Division Mechanics, C. Houghton, 1 ; J. H. Barr, 2

2nd Division English, W. A. Futtor, 1 ; W. Thompson, 2 2nd Division Latin, W. M'Douall, 1 ; W. T. Thomson, 2 2nd Division French, W. Thompson, 1 ; W. T. Thomson, 2 2nd Division Arithmetic, R. Sellar and F. Hutton, equal 2nd Division Euclid, J. R. Dennison, 1 ; R. Sellar, 2

2nd Division Algebra, H. Paton, 1 ; F, Hutton, 2

3rd Division English, Frank Jones and R. Sutherland, equal; W. Lauder, 2 3rd Division Geography, W. Lauder, 1 ; J. Norris, 2

3rd Division History, W. Lauder, 1 ; J. Norris, 2 3"d Division A, Latin, R. Seller, 1 ; A. Cottrell, 2 3rd Division B, Latin, R. Lambert, 1 ; F. Jones, 2 3rd Division A, French, R. Seller, 1 2nd Division Geography, R. Seller, 1 ; C. Houghton, 2 3rd Division A, Arithmetic, R. Lambert and R. Sutherland, equal 3rd Division A, Algebra, P. Miles, 1; P, Borrie, 2 3rd Division A, Euclid, P. Miles, 1 3rd Division B, Euclid, Algebra, and Arithmetic, A. Burns Shorthand (senior), A. Cottrell, 1 ; H. Paton and R. Sellar, equal, 2 Bookkeeping (senior), C. Holmes, 1 : 0. Sutton, 2 Mr Grave then, on behalf of the Old Boys, presented Mr Harkness, as a token of esteem, with a handsome marble clock. He bore testimony to the kind regard in which Mr Harkness was held by the Old Boys, and trusted that their gift, whilo continuing to mark the time, would not cease to point back to many happy hours in the past. Mr G. W. Thomson, on behalf of the present pupils, also presented Mr and Mrs Harkness with a case of lialf-a-dozen silver napkin rings. Mr Harkness, in returning thanks, expressed his gratitude to those old friends who had stood to him through good report and evil. He was especially grateful for the kindly feeling with which the Old Boys regarded him, a feeling which was continually finding expression in some form, and had been a strong support to him in his work. When ho came to the High School 14 years ago he had found a substantial building there, but the grounds were veiy primitive and had since undergone a very great transformation. If the boys would only keep the screw on the Board of Governors they could get the grounds made still more attractive in a few years time. Industry and character were the qualities which tended to make men useful citizens and profitable in the world. It was a pleasure to him to see Waitaki High School boys all over the colony and at Home taking positions of trust and usefulness. It had been one of the pleasures of his career to see this. It would not be out of place in him, he thought,"in leaving the school, to mention . a few friends upon whom the school would always rely. In this connection he mentioned Mr D. Borrie, the Hon. H. J. Miller, Hon. G. Jones, jun., and the Board of Governors, paying a warm tribute of gratitude to each. He was glad also to notice Waitaki High School boys making their mark in the field of athletics. It was there they learned to know their fellow men. They could not, in the colony, find a better-behaved, steadier, finer lot of fellows than the Old Boys of the school. He again thanked them sincerely for their kindness, and although leaving the town ho was not going far away, and would always, while watching with interest the career of the school, have a warm welcome for those of the boys who visit him in his new home. (Applause). The Rev. Jas. Milne addressed a few words to the meeting on education. He deprecated the habit of cramming for competitive examinations. There was a wide difference between Intellect and intelligence. The intellectual quality might come to a man through birth, but to it must be superadded training. The methpds of training were important and should be suggestive rather than direct. He spoke in warm praise of the kindergarten system, and regretted that it could not be applied right throughout the course of education. Public School education was far too exclusive, although there had been great deyelopments in recent years, notably the practical recognition of athletics as a nseful factor in educat on. As regards higher education they should go in more for technical education if they were to keep pace with France and Get-' many. Such education should be literary, scientific and artistic. ' The speaker elaborated the subject at some length, and closed with a brief impression of the necessity also of ethical education—the training of the heart, .

Archdeacon Gould said that the first thought uppermost on the minds of thoso present was that that they wore going to lose their first rector. Mr and Mrs Harkness would carry away with them tho esteem of a very largo number of friends. They were, however, not going far away and we should have the pleasure of seeing their faces among us again. Mrs Harkness, he knew, would bo missed in tho school, for ho had had tho opportunity of hearing parents at a distance express tho warmest appreciation and gratitude for tho kindness and care Mrs Harkness had always shown their boys. Mr Gould then went on to deliver a short addross on cramming in education. Mr T. Y. Duncan also spoko a few words urging parents to take advantage of the opportunity ofl'ered to them to send trlieir boys to a good school. Ho also deprecated tho cramming system and advocated appointments to tho Civil Servico being made in rotation in various districts, instead of by competitive examination as at present. At the instance of Dr do Lautour, tho Chairman, Ilia Mayor, and tho Rov. W. Wright votes of thanks were passed to tho teachers. Board of Governors, Mrs Shrimski, the donor of prizes and tho Chairman. They woro suitably, responded to and the stage was then cleared for a dramatic performance by a number of the boys—"Horace at the University of Athens."