HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD.

Ihe ordinaiy meeting of the High Schools’ Board of Governors was held yesterday altcrnoon, and was attended by Professor G. li. Thompson (chairman), the Hon. D. T. Fleming, and Messrs 11. L. Tancv, T. K. Sidev, M. P., j. M. Callaway, H. Webb, W. R. Bnigh, J. C. Stcphcna, and Mrs S M. Park. The recommendations for the award of the David Baxter memorial bursaries — Boys’ School, John R. S. Petrie; Girls’ School, Edna Wilson —were approved. The Works Committee submitted a report covering the lady principal’s suggestions regarding certain improvements, etc., at the Girls’ High School.—The report was adopted. TERMS FOR 1925. The report of the committee in re dates of terms and vacations for 1925 stated: The department has made it clear that the regulation which requires the schools to be open for a minimum of 385 half-days during the year must be observed, and it will therefore be necessary to reduce the holidays during 1925 for one week. We are of opinion that this reduction should be effected in the first term holidays. After carefully considering the whole matter the committee came to the opinion that the best arrangemenr of terms and holidays for the High Schools tor 1925 would be as follows;—First term: Monday, 2nd Fcbruary-Friday, Bth May—l 4 weeks. Vacation: Saturday, 9th. May-Sunday, 24th May —2 weeks. Second Term; Monday, 25th May-Friday, 21st. August—l 3 weeks. Vacation; Saturday, 22nd August-Sunday, 13th September— 3 weeks. Third Term: Monday, 14tn ißeptember-Friday, 11th December—l 3 weeks. The term holidays of the primary schools have been fixed as follows: Winter, Saturday, 23rd May, to Monday, Bth June; spring, 22nd August to Monday, 7th September.—The report was adopted. RECTOR'S REPORT JAOR 1924.

The Rector's report for 1924 stated, inter alia:

The numbers of the school, in the opening part ot the session, were practically tho same as last year. There was again a heavy entry of new boys, 236, exceeding by one tiro record ot 1922 and 1923; but a lew returned boys left very soon to take up employment, and the roll on Ist March stood at 622—a decrease of three irom Uiu 1924 total. The demand for boys in business houses and offices lias remained tairly brisk, but tlie number of boys dropping off during the session, though large, lias keen decidedly smaller than last year, the diminution Horn March to December being 6j against 93 m 1923.- This may possibly mean that suitable employment is not quire so easy io oUutin, but there are some indications taut it is being less eagerly sought, ana that we may look for a certain increase next year. it is in any case better tor many reasons that boys shall, wherever possible, leave at the end oi a school year rather than iu the middle, and I am glad to say that most parents appreciate this. Hie following tables give details for the past five yeais:—

1924. 1923. 1922. 1921. 1920. Total enrolment 042 035 OJI ohi Mo Hew entries .. .. 247 238 245 231 2JB PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.

We entered only seven candidates for the university entrance acholaisii.p examinations oi December, 1923. ui these one, our last year's aux, w<us untonunaieiy unuiuc to attend. Oi the six who aat H. nt. Tayior and H. A, A. iutken came first and eighth respectively on the junior university scholarship. list, while Iv. 1. Nissan and G. S. hi win gamed university national scholarships, with 21st and 30tn places. The ouier two obtained credit. Tue lour boys guuung scholarships did so on tneir first tnai, Taylor being only just over iOi.

Tho number or canaiaatea sent up by school lor matriculation and auied exam.nations was 85. Ul these, 53 were suctessuil, 2U gained partial passes, and 12 tailed. The proportion or passes was thus 74 per cent., against 73 per cent, in the previous year, 'ine laiiures were chiefly thud ye-r boys from the lower filth loims wlio could at best hope tor a partial pass. For me senior national scholarships there were 37 candidates, ol whom live gamed scholarships, 20 more passed, and seven tailed. Twenty-three boys sat lor the puuuc service examination, ol whom II passed (one with credit) and 12 failed. This examination is now seldom taken by boys Horn the h.gner forms, i.s in-aincuia troll itseu qua.ities for the public service. Twenty-one young boys went up, without special preparation, tor the junior .national scholarships; seven gained scholarships, li others passed, and three tailed. The total number of candidates for examinations of all standards was. 304. Ot ■ these 204 were successful, including those awarded a senior tree place by the department on my recommendation; 31 obtained partial passes (including those who failed tor senior scholarships, etc., but were awarded senior tree places;;, five qualified for a tuird year of the/junior nee piacc;' and ■6T lailed. The general proper non oi passes ivas 73 per cent., against v 7 per cent, m the previous year, and 71 per cent, in T32i. Considering the large number ot candidates it may be regarded as quuc satisiuctory. Twonty-lilree higher leaving ceitihcates, carrying under cerium conditions bursaues tor university tuition lees up to ±zo per annum, were awarded by the department to boys wko loit the school at the end ol last year, as m lormer years mueu inconvenience was caused by the late announcement ot me awards. THE STAFF. The report; alter dealing with the changes in the smU during tue past year, goes on to say ; Tins is a fitting opportunity to refer to the approaching' dep.tii.ure oi Mr F. H. Gampueil, our Senior master, to Europe on a yeui a leave oi absence, Tue debt winch me school and tho community owe to Mr Campbell tor his devoted and meritorious, service during the past 31 years needs no woras ot ampiiucalio.il. He will be greauy missed, but wo wish him tho lullesl enjoyment oi Ins well-earned holiday and snail rook forward to ins return in i 026. , Boaiding mouse.—Mr Campbell, as manager ot tue Rectory bourdmg-nouse, reports as , follows: — "the number oi boarders tor tue three terms was 03, at, and all. 1 was disappointed that there was not a larger enrolment at the beginning or the year, because in previous years we nave had to decline applications owing to lack ol accommodation, while now, since our Sleeping balconies have been bunt, we can accommodate 83 uoys. The mniioer of boardeis tor the third term is unusuaity large, there being generally a drop at trie end oi me second term. lire steeping balconies are in eveiy way satisfactory, anu are much appreciated. The health ol mo boarders during tne year has been excellent, owing m great measure to tne care arid attention shown by the matron (ivrrs lirraland;. 1 sincerely trust that we shall have our full complement or 63 boarders next year, and 1 anew mat all those concerned in tne management will do tneir utmost to see mat ma-aers run smoothly during me year. , Old Boys.—Three notable events affecting our old boys may be recorded here. Our Foundation Day, August 3, tailing this yearon a Sunday, a short but impressive commemoration service was held at me school ior old and present boys conjointly. it was organized by the Old Hoys Lxecutivo, and the Rev. Hector Maclean, M.A., 8.D., a former dux of the school, gave an appropriate and inspiring address. The other two events are ol sad interest. The death of Dr A. V. Fulton on May 1, at tho ago of 68, removed from us one of our best friends whose unfailing energy and love for his old school had won the gratitude and affection of his school-fellows ol all generations. Vrr John Hanna, who died on June 17, in his 68th year, was for 30 years the school gymnastic master, liked and respected by all. In view of Dr Fulton's great services, „uo board decided to name the latest block oi buildings erected at the senool the "F'ulton Block." LADY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The lady principal’s report stated, inter alia; The roll number lias been the highest m the history of the school. Senior Junior free tree places, plages. Fees. Total. March, 392-4 .. .. 172 323 12 507 December, 1924' .. 360 302 14 476 Tho enrolment of new pupils was 195 bo*oic March 31 and 13 throughout the year. Of these 180 came from tho public primary schools. There has been no epidemic sickness, and the health of the school has been good. EXAMINATIONS. Junior University Scholarship, December, 1923. —Gained Junior University Scholarship 1, University National Scholarship 1, credit 4, matriculation 6. Matriculation, December, 1923.—Completed 4, full pass 31, partial pass 23. Junior National Scholarship'; Gained 1. Class V, August, 1924; Full pass 3, partial pass 24. Senior free place, July, 1924: Recommended 02.

Entries for Novcmber-Doccmber examinations, 1024: University scholarship 4, matriculation 19 to complete, 88 full; Public Service entrance 11, Senior National Scholarship 28, Junior National Scholarship 11. The Senior National Scholarship results last year were disappointing, but the other examination results satisfactory. I would like lo point out, however, that too many girls wish to enter for examinations before they are really fit to do so. Economic reasons are often the cause of this, but I suspect that parents are not always fully cognisant of what is involved, and wish to have their daughters entered for examinations or taking up subjects at school, when for various reasons, they would bo better to wait another year, or to take a more limited course. There has been a great increase in tro number of girls taking typewriting, and I am pleased to be able to report that a number of girls from the commercial classes have obtained suitable positions.