PORT CHALMERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11401, 19 April 1899, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS.

The main clauses in the annual report of Iho Committee of the Fort Chalmers District High School are as follows:-

The main efforts'of the committee have been in the direction of ministering lo the health and comfort of the scholars, by having the school and its surroundings maintained iv firsl-oh.ss condition. The distempering and painting the rooms has, with the 'assistance of the liituoalion Board, been thoroughly done, and your committee arc of opinion tiial the buildings were never in better order than at present. The same remark applies to the playgrounds, which have been asphalted in a more thorough manner than ever before. The cost of these operations has been considerable, but your committee have been able to supplement their ordinary revenue by a series ot concerts, lectures, and entertainments, which enable us to closo the year with a small balance in hand amounting to £3 19s Bd. There is a further sum in Jiand of £10 18s Od, which the children themselves earned by their very successful entertainment in the Garrison Hull. This amount is earmarked as belonging to the further development of kindergarten work. On- his removal Mr Ness resigned, and Mr M'Kay was appointed a member ot committee in his place.

Tho prize funds were again subscribed by the same liberal donors who huVe so long supplied the funds for distribution at the breakup. The names referred to are Mr John Morgan, Mr J. Mill, and Mr J. Stevenson. Other special prizes have been provided by other donors. Average Roll No. Attendance. Quarter ended June, 1895.. 533 167 Quarter ended Sept., 1(598.. 521 -IG7 • Quarter ended Dec, 1898 ~ 5138 45(5 Quarter ended Mar., 18S9 ~ 523 437 Tho low average attendance of last quarter was due to the prevalence of measles. Changes of Staff.—At the beginning of your committee's term of offlco Miss Sinclair resigned her position as matron of the school. Her place was filled by the appointment of Miss M'Millan., In July Mr P. M'Kinlay, M.A., third male assistant of the school, was promoted to the first assistantship in the Oamaru Middle School. Mr D. Matheson was selected to fill his place. Miss Dale and Mr Finlayson completed their term of apprenticeship as pupil teachers at the end of the year. As the average attendance of the school- had fallen below 500, only one pupil teacher was appointed in the place of the above. Miss H. Nelson, a pupil of the school, was appointed by the Education Board. Kindergarten.—A noteworthy departure this year has been tho, introduction of kindergarten work into' the infant room. Miss M'Millan has heen hampered very much by the difficulty of getting supplies of kindergarten material. Your committee aire of opinion that if the Education Board desire to see kindergarten introduced into the school it will be necessary for them to see that an adequate supply of the necessary material is to be obtained in the colony. At the present time the enterprise of our boolfiellers' is not sufficient' to ensure satisfactory completion of orders. The kindergarten class is held on Tuesdays aud Fridays, during the last hour of the day. Examinations.—All the pupil teachers passed their examinations at mid-winter. Mr Finlayson | and H. Murray passed the matriculation examination. Mr Finlayson qualified for the D certificate as far as this can be done in the matri-' dilation examination.- H. Bundle and C. Mooney pasßcd tbe. junior civil service examination. W. Portcous gained an Education Board's senior scholarship, and D. Standage gained free education at the Boys' High School for two years. H. Nelson and H. Bundle passed as candidates, for pupihteacherships. The former was appointed in this school.