DUNEDIN TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 12

DUNEDIN TECHNICAL SCHOOL

* DIRECTOR'S REPORT, The. follovring is a. copy of tho director's report, to bo submitted at tho meeting in ilis Early Settlors' llall on Tuesday 'livening next:— 1 beg- to 'herewith submit tho anua] report on tho work of the session just ended, including eight held in country districts tho total number ot separate classes reytilarly conducted throughout the year was \IS, mi inercaso of suvon. or last year's number.' 0£ the 85 Dwiediti classes IS were for continuation subjects, 28 for commercial subjects, aid 43 for teelmical subjcols. These figures nro 6ie»iflca.nr, for ibis ie tho first year in the history of tho school that tho strictly technical classes have formed u majority of tho whole. Tho number of individual students attending the Duncdiu School at any time during tho year was 856, a reduction of 133 on lust year's attendance. The number of thw.c claaies in tho various subjects of inptrilction' ahd the attendance thereat,were as follows, the attendances for tho first term being showji in parentheses: — English, senior, two classes (56). 38; English, intermediate, two classes (56), 60; English, junior, four clauses (129), 100;' 'French, junior (11), 10; Latin senior (11), 9; Latin, junior (15), 17; elocution,' two classes (14), 11; mathematics, senior (11), 9; mathematics, junior (10), 12; commercial arithmetic, junior, two classes (76), 69; commercial arithmetic, intermediate, three classes (84), 63; commercial arithmetic, tcinior, Iwo classes (60), 51; typewriting, five elates (100), 87; shorthand, eight classes (124), 111; commercial correspondence, three clusses (90), 77; commercial law (9), 9; i bookkeeping senior and junior, four classes ; (114), 96; penmanship and correspondence (31), 31; commercial geography (29), 26; elementary science (31), 31; electrical science (331, 19; physics, heat and electricity (7), 9; chemistry (23), 16: painters' work, two classes (22), 16; plumbing, theory ami practical (49), 43; pratical lathematics, senior and junior (56), 43; mechanical engi- ■ Hearing, senior ami junior (51), 38; mcchani- , cal engineering, advanced' (12), 14; engineer- : ing, workshop, four classes (57), 41; carpentry (10), 9; cubinctmakiiur (11), 8; wood-carving; three classes (47), U; dressmaking, eight classes (110), 132; ncedlowork, two classes (51), 54; tailors' cutting (4), 4; cookery anddoiiitotio oconomy, 10 classes (142), 129; horticulture (0), 17; physiology, • two classes (51), 49. Referring now to subjects cf instruction 1 have to (point out that tho classes ill tho continuation suhjects have, for working purposes, recently been limited in mc, and this has been found conducive to efficient and effective leaching. In. commercial subjects student') now more often attend a course of instruction rather than isolated or individual branches as formerly. In bookkeeping, typewriting, and commercial correspondence the high standard set continues to ho maintaincdi .In tho final examination for certificates In shorthand tho stringent conditions of th« Pitman examination were adopted, and although lis a result fewer eertilicates woro awarded, these ilioreafter issued will undoubtedly liave an enhanced value. Law is the only 1 biibject of tho commercial course tb;it ~ languishes ntld is carried on'at a loss; yet ' a knowledge of tho subject seems essential to. successful office work. ■ J'lie so-called, technical elapses wore not only well attended, but were, tTt3iier«Ily sponkmg, successful to a greater extent , ihun in former yea:., and in this depart- > liisnt also students ate becoming more givjn to u course than to individual subject*. But tlio tendency to omit tho study of t.'lio essentials forming, as if, were, tho basis continues. For oxample, half of the students that enrolled for electrical scienco must havo themselves realised, lib tho work advanced, that their knowledge • ; of mathematics or elementary physics was V deficient, and thus upon them at least much : i vuluablo leaching was lost; and tim -•iotwithstanding the fact that preparatory clashes aro held for special instruction in these branches. In senioi plumbing, again, those attending the practical class worn frequently absent from theory. Tho junior plumbing class, on tho other hand, was well supported, tho • attendance at praotical mathematics and general experimental soioiico of tho subject always being most encouraging. Tho equipment of tho engineering workshop enabled us to lay down n_ mora definite and complete course in mechanical cnginoeriinj, and at the samo timo created considerable interest in tho subject. It has already keen found necessary to ask for additional machinery. Further, to give training in t'lir- co'mplo'to course provision is being mads for a pat- . tern-making department,, which it is hoped will bo in operation next year. Another now class that apparently supplied u want and was attended by a small band of i enthusiastic students was that for cabinetmaking. Mr Marlowv who examined tho class, .reports:—" The pupils seem to have iv thorough grounding in tho essentials •of tho trade; tho exhibitions of lap dovetailing, 'nitre dovetailing, knuckle, hinges, and rub jointing being excellent, and reflecting oredit on the pupils ami t'lieir instructor. The exhibits oi t'no pupil placed first-nainoly, Thomas ' llemsley—aro such that any tradesman might be proud of." 'According to the examiners' reports, tho division of (Tie painter's work with a teaclwr to .each brunch has also been productive of-good results. Mr A. Gillie,?, onri of tlw examiners, writes:—"l cannot presout my report without expressing pleasure at the quality of the work. The pupils arc more advanced this year, and the work is really a credit to tho class and the mastor. In order to draw attention to the value, of tho work, I would just like to point out , that of the seven submitting work for inspection no fewer than four were journeymen. If these men think it an advantage I to attend t'lie class, surely it must bo much more so to lads serving their apprenticeship. The wisdom of appointing separate teachers for the signwriting and for the graining and • marbling class,* lias, in my opinion, jus'.ilied itself." Mr Osborne, who examined the signwriting, reports: -" I can with a certain amount, of p.easme testify to tne general proficiency attained by lha MuuVutK. l'roni a practical wage-earning point of view the work shows good promise, and the executive, as also tie , teacher, in the above section i'.re to be complimented on the proficiency wlucn ?! evident til I'ho closo of this year's session. 'Pho tuition has been of a thoroughly practical nature, as evidenced by painstaking olfort in the work of even the less advanced students." The other technical classes have boon so frequently reviewed and'their results suminairised that there is no necessity to enter into a detailed criticism of their working during the year. A matter, however, that, should not bo overlooked is tho fact thai the, classes in ngricullYiro, agricultural chemistry, and botany had to to abandoned because practically no students applied for instruction -in thoso subjects. A most pleasing and striking feature of the "work was the regularity of attendance maintained throughout the entire session. In prrvioiia years tin. average attendance hi'.s, during the second term, invariably [allo> ab-mt 20 per cent., but this year Ilia (lecreaic was less than 3 par cent., a fact indicative ot sustained enthusiasm and interest in their own progress by the students themselves. Another tribute to the succor of our elforts is the quite unsolicited recognition that has been accorded to the inslvjictioii given in several branches t«ii:,'ht in our school. The following mitauees are wortliv of note. During tlio . session ihe Duncdiu Drainage Hoard, on its own initiative, arranged with me for . - a conference whereat its representatives exiiressH strong nppiouil of the school syllabus for instruction in plumbing. The ultimate result: of tho conference was an agreement between the Drainago Hoard and Ike Board of Management of the school vhereby the value of the school iiaiuing in plumbing is officially recognised, the school examinations are substituted for these-of the Drainage Board, and concessions in time are granted apprentices completing the full technical course. Next, alto l ' having seen our students at work, Professor Park, Director of the School of Mines, arranged witn his council that mining students at Ilk- Universitj shall take putt of their course in mechanical drawing, machine construction. and practical mechanics a', the Duncdiu Teehnica'. School. Again, iJr falconer, resident medical ollieor at the Dunedin Hospital, in his published report for 1903, when referring to the establishment at tho Duncdiu Technical School of the physiology class for mii-sf! states:-" I have hopes that this .•class will lie the forerunner of that school becoming recognised as a preliminary training school for nurses, teaching the subjects of physiology, cooking, domestic economy, and hygvne. This would prevent the nurses being unduly taxed will- studies i during their hospital career here, and allow iliem more time for the study of medical and surgical nursing."

. FREE PLACES. In 1908 there were 347 holders of free place* in attendance, this year only 247, a decrease of 103, which corresponds almost, exactly to the reduction in the tuuiiiwr 'A proficiency certificates issued to scholars of tho city and suburban schools at the end of 1908. Quito a iiumbjr of the applications for free places were fiom the holders of competency certificates, and li.nl consequently to hn refused; Making the attainment of the proficiency cettiliciile move.difficult,' and so rendering a iurtrer number of young people ineligible for free plaae.s at a technical school, seems to mo to bo prejudiea.lly affecting those most in Med of ft continuation education. This is in striking contrast to tho principle embodied in Mr Sidey's bill, whereby he seeks to make provision for at least a two years' compulsory continuation education. To girls holding only a Sixth Standard competency certificate, and wishing to take up tho study of purely domestic subjects in ii technical ficlioo', some. concession should bo granted, DAY CLASSES. At tho beginning of tho year, provision was made for afternoon classes/ comprising a technical course, a commercial course', and a domestic couiso. Owing to the opening of tlresc classes being dolaycd until April sufficient students woro not forthcoming to justify tho carrying on of the technical course. The commercial course was, however, attended throughout tho year by 37 students, and tho fill ldomcslic course by 35. Although tho arrangements were for tho most part temporary, very satisfactory work was done. In order to amplify lli>! above-mentioned courses and' increase their efficiency arrangements are now beinj luado for a full day staff to begin work in February. The technical course will enibraeo elementary chemistry, mechanics, and physics (including measurements), woodwork and ironwork, elementary and practical 'mathematics, drawing, graphical arithmetic and mensuration, and general English, the object being to form a groundwork suitable for tho various woodworking trades, building trades, and branches of ec.ginccring. Tho commercial course (to 1)4 lieldt in tlio afternoons only) will include shorthand, typewriting, bookkeeping, ponmansbip, niid commercial correspondence, precis-writing, commercial arithmetic and cinmereial English. In tho domestic course provision has already Seen made for needlework, dressmaking, general housewifery, cookery, physiology ami -hygiene, penmanship and general correspondence, arithmetic (including household accounts), and English. It :.i expected that by the timo tho fidicol opens wo shall bo in a position to add laundry work to tho last-lnentioned course. This question of specialisation, at the end of the primary school career is at present engaging- the attention of educational expeihi throughout the British • dominions. For instance, in the recent report of the Minister of Education in Ontario it is proposed flat at tho conclusion of the primary school course proper a. bifurcation principle bo followed. This it in staled implies tho establishment of two classes of Echools: — a. Vocational schools that would take boys at 11 yeans of ago intended for industry and giro them, say, a two years' general' trade course.; such a school also to provklo for girls a training in domestic scienco and other suilablo work. n. Higher echools affording a good secondary education for those desirous of continuing or proceeding to n-university. Our ihw school should, in a modest way,_ fulfil a function similar to tho school designated vocational. The school is indebted to the honorary examiners who oflon, at great inconvenience to themselves, iindertako much labourious work. Although it seems invidious to particularise, mention should ho Jiiada of the, time given to tho examination of cookery students by tho examiners, Mesdames Dennistoii and Jlaoassey, who spent two long days in tho cookery room. I have to thank all members of the staff and tho director of tho Sohool of Art for their ready assistance and hearty co-opera-tion in tho work. The- open evenings and exhibitions of work made unusual demands upon the teoohere of cookery, needlework, and dressmaking,, and this extra service was most.willingly given. _ The class lists and appendices giving particulars of tho ages and trades of students aire published ecixttatcl}. OCCUPATIONS OF STUDENTS. Analyst, 1; assayer, 1; agent, 1; -architect, 1; bamboo worker, 1; blacksmith, 1; boilerniakcrs, 2; bookbinders, 2; booksellers, 2;' Ixjokkecpers, 6; bootmaker, 1; briits-lmishcv, 1; butcher, 1; cooks, 2; cabinot-makers, 7; cadets (post ofiiee, railway, corporation, and telegraph), 13; carpenters, 13; companion, 1; carter. 1; cashiers, 5; civil engineer, 1; coach painters, 2; clothier, 1; chemists, 10; clerks, 51; cutters, 2; coppersmith, 1; cycln mechanics, 4; draughtsmen, 2; dentists' assistants, 2; , domestic duties, U6; drapers, 5; 'dressmakers, 15; deaconess, 1; dyer, 1; engineers, 57; engine-drivers, 2: electricians, 25; factory bands, 4;, farmer, 1; fitters, 20; foundry, 1; gardeners, 2; grocers, 5; hairdresser, 1; ironmongers, 4; ironl timer, 1; joiners. 2; jeweller, 1; kindergarteners, 2; labourers, 4: leather-dresser, 1; lithographer, 1; lady-helps, 4; -notal worker, 1;_ machinists, 6; managers, 2; motordrivers, 3; message boys, 9; milliners. 3; minor, 1; mill-worker, 1; mental nurses, 3; nurses, 20;- nurseryman, I; ofiico ooys, .33: olties girls, 4; painters, 19; patternmaker, 1; portmanteau-maker, 1; photographers, 2; probationers (toaehcrs), 5; policeman, 1; plumbers, 53; pnntcre, 5; •plasterer. 1; pupil teachers, 4; poller. 1; railway employees, 2; rough-slufi cutter, 1; readers, 2; registrar, 1; sawiniller, 1; faksiiien, 5; saleswomen, 11; school children, 10; shop giris, 3; shop boys, 3; servants, 6; storekeeper, 1; students, 77; tailors. 4; tailoresses. 11; teachers, 8; telegraphists, 2; turner, 1; tinsmith, 1; typists, 5; woodworker, 1; waitresses, 3; warehousemen, 16; no occupation, or not stated, 96;— total, £56. AGES OF STUDENTS. Thirteen to 14 vears, 23; 14 to 15, 56; 15 to 16, 115; 16 to 17. 150; 17 to 18, 80; 13 to 19, 60; 19 to SO,. 55; 20 to 21, 34; 21 and over, or not stated, 2G3;total, 856. ANALYSIS. Male. Female. Total. Former pupils ... 161 90 260 New pupils 332 261 £93 493 363 856 Winners of single certificates, 112; winner; of two certilieatvs. 5B; of three cen:lic.iies, 19; of four certificates. 4; of live certificates, 1. ,