SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13263, 20 April 1905, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

KENSINGTON. In its annual report the Kensington School Committee states that it reports to the householders with 11 vast amount of pleasure. The stall of the school remains practically it wus last year, with this alleratinn— Miss Brims, pupil teacher, look the place cf Miss Kenyon, who completed her four years' course in February and entered the Training College. In December the staff promoted a jumble sale, realising & sum of over £30, which enabled the committee to carry out a very important improvement in connection with the school—namely, the asphalting of the boys' yard—and also to wipe off the debt on the cadet uniforms. The kalsomining of the interior walls of the school and varnishing the doors and panelling were also carried out during the midsummer vacation. "Whilst on this question the committee desires to state that such work as the cleaning of the interior of the school comes properly within the scope of work that should be carried out by the Education Board, as 'in the ca3e of painting the exterior. Both processes are practically for the preservation of the board's property, and tho commiten protests against the half cost of carrying out the work, which legitimately comes within the board's jurisdiction. 'Hie committee is constrained to mako these remarks from the fact that' tlio allowance to committees is so small that 110 margin is left beyond the ordinary tip-keep and current expenses. The result of the last annual examination was highly satisfactory, the inspector's Teport disclosing tlic fact that only ono pupil failed to pass the Sixth Standard. A letter congratulating the staff was forwarded to the bead master. The cadet corp3 attached to the school is very efficient, reflecting great credit on their O.C. (Captain Rutherford). The boy 3 enter with enthusiasm into the drill and general movements, which have ,a good effect 011 their physique and carriage. The girls of the upper standards are very enthusiastic over the details of flag signalling, and are becoming quite as export as the boys, which is 110 reflection on the efficiency of the latter. The annual picnic .was held this year at Eva-nsdale, and was greatly enjoyed by all. The school was visited in March by the Rev. Mr Braddock, who gave after school hours several elementary religious lessons to the pupils, which wero greatly appreciated. The average attendance is equal to that of last year, the roll number being 280. Thanks aro duo to the press, staff, and parents for services rendered during the year. The incoming committee will have a credit balance of JEII. 18s 2d, but against this it will have to consider the Education Board's account for kalsomining and painting. MOS&IEL DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. To following are tho principal clauses of ,tho annual report: — The retiring committee, in presenting its annual report, feel that tho past year lias been one of progress. Several works have been . carried out successfully during tie year, but much requires to be done when funds are available. Three resignations have been re- j ceivcd during the year—namely, Messrs A. Scott j and \\ r . Millar in October, and Mr J. C. Hodges j in January. The usual course was adopted in offering the vacancies to the unsuccessful can- ■ didatcs at last election, but all declined, j Messrs J. E. Wingfield and J. IV. H&ward were then elected to the positions. As Mr Hodges resignation was received at tho latter end of the yeai it-was not deemed necessary to fill th« vacancy. School roll, 255; High School, 23—practically the same aa last year. : Staff: Die sami as last year—namely, Mr E. Finder, M.A., rector; Mr G P. Graham, first assistant; Miss Scott, mistress; Misses M'Arthur and Ross, with Misses Miller, Todd, and Ncwlande, pupil teachers. The committee i in recording its appreciation of the work done I by tlie-staff, and in recognising harmony

\vli:ch"h&3 prevailed between it and. the com-' lnittep,. would call attention to the high teaching capacity of ,the staff—every one of the teachers now ranking m Grado I. The annual i concert was held on December IG, but the cora- , mitteo regrets having to report that it was not nearly to successful as usual 'toom a. financial point of view. 'Tho programme was all that could be desired, the children being especially good." The receipts wore £11 lis 7d, expenditure 10a Cd. 'net £10 Is Id. Owing to lack of funds and the meagre attendance of parents for some time past, the annual picnic wus held in tlio Recreation Ground. The attendance of children was good, though the parents were' not largely represented, and a most enjoyiib'o afternoon ivas spent. Expenses, £2 16s Od; receipts collection bo:;, ss. The committee has provided prizes this year at a cost of £3 10s. Special prizes were also presented by tlio Traders' Association, the proprietor 'i'aieri .Advocate, Mrs M'Kinnou, and Mrs Hicks, while his Worship the Mayor presented two prizes for recitation. The thanks of the. committee are due to those Jadies and gentlemen who so kindly rendered asistance. in this respect. The members jf the committee also gave prizes. The presentation of prizes and break-up ceremony was held in the evening instead of the aftrciioon as usual, and was remarkably well attended. Short addresses were giveii by the chairman (Mr J. A. M'Kinl'On). his Worship .the Mayor, and the Revs. J. M. M'Kerrow, F. "\Y. Borcliam, and Canon ])«ld. Several recitation competitions were lie-id, and proved most enjoyable. Expenses, XI Bs; receipts (collection), lOd. J3ib l e classes were conducted during the year by tlio Rev. .1. M. M'Kerrow. The committee takes this opportunity of recording its appreciation of the unwearied manner in which these classes aro carried on year after year by this gentleman, and desires to thank him for tho interest taken in the spiritual welfare of the children. The examination was conducted by Inspectors Fitzgerald and Bossencc, with the usual highly satisfactory result. Tlio usual routine work has been most successfully carried on. The i' ost important work is the raising of the playground, and the committee lias been gradually doing this during the year, having spent some £10 this year in that direction. , Technical School: This matter is not further advanced. Tlio committee again approached l!ie Education Department through the board, but so far lias been unable to get a reply of any sort from tho department. Gymnasium: At last annual meeting a motion was carried that it be' an imperative instruction to tho incoming committee to go on with the erection of a gymminium at once. Nc time was lost in discussing this matter, with the result that after more than one meeting had been called a strong committee, including four members of (lie school committee, was sot up to arrange for raising funds by a bazaar. It is hardly necessary to go into details now, but this committee, and those who supported '.hem, aro to be complimented on their efforts, which resulted in a net sum ot IG7 15s Id being handed over to this committee. To this amount the committee has added £22 4s ?d, transferred from the prize and picnic fund as a loan and it is to be hoped that the incoming committee will endeavour to repay this loan as soon as possible, as the money is required for the school grounds. The building 'will bo of great advantage to tile school, not only as a gymnasium; but tlio largo anteroom, 25 x 15, fitted with two ranges, sink, etc., will be eminently suitable for carrying oil cooking classes. The committee has here to thank Messrs Khacklock and Co. and Biindsley and Co. for presenting tho above ranges. The building should also prove, when seated, a sourco of revenue, as it is of a size suitable for letting. High School.—The roll number in the High School department remains much <he same, l-ai.ging from about 30, after mi examination, to a little over 20 at the the year. A certificate showing the subjects studied is given to each pupi! on, leaving. Most of the pupils study for one year, a small number for a longer period. These latter aro as a rule preparing for some examination. At prcsont three are preparing for scholarship examinations; soven, including pupil teachors, for matriculation; one for civil service; and ono for pupil teachers examination. The majority of pupils conies from Mosgiel, a few from the surrounding districts. The greater part of the time is given to the same subjects as in tho primary classes, only studied more fully, and it would bo greatly to Iho benefit of every pupil if lie or she could si'.aro at least, an extra year in Standard VII. The examination for Standard YI, or for a certificate of proficiency as it is now called, has bEcn made so easy to pass under the new regulations that r. pupil can acquire a proficiency certificate while anything but proficient in the work. Such pupils would benefit greatly by an additional year. All have the choice between Latin and bookkeeping, French and geography. During tho three and a-balf years of its existence Hie secondary department has been instrumental in giving nine pupils a good start in life.