OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 8

OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

ANNUAL REPORTS. The annual reports of the principals of the Boys’ and Girls' High Schools came before yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governors. A summary of them follows below ; Miss King reports an enrolment of 469 as compared with 407 in 1921. Owing to the increase in numbers a re-classification was made, with a view to providing distinct courses for girls proceeding to the University and the teaching profession, and for those wishing lo take up commercial and domestic subjects. Cookery has been added to the syllabus of domestic science, and a special art and crafts class for senior girls. Each class has had 30 minutes physical training per week under Mr Northey, and 10 minutes daily drill under selected squad leaders. A special remedial class was held weekly during the second and third terms. The swimming class during the first and third terms was largely attended. Accommodation admitted only beginners to attend this class. The secondary school inspectors visited the school in March, and again in October, when they examined candidates for senior free place. Of 144, 97 were recommended under clause Vile. The remainder were required to sit for the intermediate examination in November, with the exception of five, whose junior free place might be extended for another year. The hockey and net ball teams had a successful season, the former securing the Challenge Cup in the secondary schools’ competition. Tennis might he taken up more vigorously, and by a larger number of the girls. W© propose next year to provide school rackets and hockey sticks, and to add cricket and croquet to the list of school games. The school sports were held on November _ 18, and the swimming sports in the Municipal Baths on December 4. The report also chronicles the doings of the Christian Union, Young Helpers’ League, and Navy League, and sets out tho following examination results : —- University entrance scholarship—Entered, 4; successful —X scholarship, 1 credit. 2 matriculations. Matriculation—Entered 74; successful—4b (11 pa trial); 4 to comp'ete. successful 3. Senior National Scholarship—Entered 18; successful 5. Junior National Scholarship—Entered 10; successful 1. Public Service entrance —Entered 20; successful 11. Teachers’ D examination (1922) —Entered 8; successful 8 (first group w-holo or partial). BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The Rector’s report states, inter alia: Tho large entry of 1921 had given us reason to expect a certain increase this year, but the actual numbers were beyond anticipation. The roll on March 1 was 585, against 527 on March 1, 1921. The number of new boys for the first term (235) was a record, but the increase was mainly due to the greater proportion of third-year boys. This is in itself matter for congratulation, though it may not have been unconnected with a slackening of tho demand for boys in business houses and professional offices. Opportunities of finding such employment havo apparently increased of late, and tho number of boys dropping off as the year went on has been decidedly larger than in 1921. The probabilities are, however, that next year’s roll will show a further increase, and it is quite possible that our accommodation will be taxed to the uttermost. Both the age at leaving and the average length of stay of the 197 boys who ended their secondary course last December or during the current year shows a falling off. This is undoubtedly due in the main to the still high cost of living and the consequent pressure on many parents. It is gratifying to know that a large proportion of the boys leaving early continue their education in evening classes. The number of boys going up for the University entrance scholarship examinations of December, 1921—three—was much smaller than in any previous year, but all three—P. W. Aitken, R. F. Wilson, and H. M. Nlmmo—gained University National Scholarships. For matriculation and allied examinations the school sent up 91 candidates, a figure beyond all precedent. Of these 59 were successful, 16 obtained partial passes, and 16 failed. The proportion' of passes (73 per cent.), though smaller than in 1920, was quite satisfactory, as the candidates included a number of third-year boys whose general progress had been reasonably good, but who could at best hope for a partial pass. The matriculation standard is officially stated to represent tho result of four years’ secondary training, and a candidate who is to pass in three years must therefore be well above the average in ability. The number of candidates for Senior National Scholarship was 31, of whom six gained scholarships and the remaining 25 passed tho examination, four with credit. The total entry for the Public Service examination was 25, of whom 15 passed, two with credit, and 10 failed. Few boys from higher forms now go up for this examination, as matriculation itself qualifies for tho Public Service. Eleven young boys sat, without special preparation, for Junior National Scholarships. One gained the scholarship, seven more passed, and three failed. The total number of candidates for examinations of all standards was 293. Of these 203 were successful, including those awarded a senior free place by the department, on my recommendation; 19 obtained partial passes (including three who failed for the year of the junior free place); and 75 failed. The general proportion of passes, 71 per cent.. was not quite equal to that of the previous year, but in view of tho large entry for matriculation and other circumstances, the comparison is more favourable than it seems, and indicates no falling off in the standard of work maintained. Twenty-seven higher leaving certificates, carrying under certain conditions bursaries for University fees up to £2O per annum, were awarded to pupils who left at the end of last year. The school was inspected in March, and was again visited in October. On the latter occasion 120 boys recommended by me were accepted for tho award of senior free places, subject to their completing the year with a satisfactory record. The rector deals at length with the athletic aide of school life, covering cadets, football, cricket, hockey, gymnastics, swimming, and athletic sports; mentions the Navy League, Camera Club, Field Club, and Stamp Club; and includes the following report of Mr Campbell, ns manager of the rectory boarding-house;—The number of boys enrolled during the year was 59, tho roll for the three terms being 31, 51, 47. There is accommodation for only 51 boys, and at tho beginning of the year more than half a dozen applications had to be declined. The health of all the boarders has, on the whole, been very satisfactory, and I nm deeply indebted to the matron (Mrs Kirkland) for the care and attention she always shows with regard to the boys. Seven of the First Fifteen were rectory boys, and although we have only two in the cricket eleven one of them has the honour of being captain. Tiro alterations to tho building made during last year have proved very satisfactory, and it is gratifying to know that tho Education Department has made a further grant to enable the establishment to be brought completely up to date.