JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20991, 2 April 1930, Page 15

JOHN M'GLASHAN COLLEGE.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report o£ the principal (Mr Colin M. Gilray) of John M’Glashan College was submitted at yesterday’s meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery. It contained the following paragraphs:— The school year opened oa February 5 with 124 names on the roll, of whom 54 were boarders and 70 day boys. There were 69 boys in the upper school, 41 in tire lower school, and 14 in the preparatory department. During the year live new day boys and three new boarders were enrolled and three day boys and four boarders left. The roll now stands at 125 (upper school 68, lower 42, preparatory 15). The medical and dental reports show that the boarders have a high standard of physical well-being. The general health of the pupils throughout the year has been very good indeed. We had an epidemic of mild influenza in June, but none of the eases developed seriously. In the lower school the work has been arranged as in 1929, but Latin is now begun in Standard V, and carpentry lessons are given during school hours to Standards V and VI. We had this year a very good Form YI of 12 boys, and some of them have shown considerable promise. More advanced work was done with this form than it has usually been possible to do. I am satisfied that very good work has been done in all departments this year, and that the boys have bad every opportunity that an exceptionally well-qualified and hard-working staff could give them. Arrangements have now been made to provide instruction in biology for those boys in the upper school who do not take two languages. The board has also engaged Mr G. W. Johnstone to give instruction in voice .production and speech training in both the lower and the upper school. The usual classes in woodwork, woolclassing, boxing, and dancing have been held. Instruction is given in piano playing as usual, and there is a class in aural taining for the juniors. The results in the public examinations of December last are the best we have yet had.

Mr H. D. Prichard inspected the lower school and preparatory department on June 4. He reported; “This department is well organised; classes are suitably grouped; all the senior pupils are appropriately introduced to secondary subjects (Latin, French, and science) by teachers from the secondary department. Modern methods of teaching are in use, and sound progress is made. Discipline, tone, and order are very good. Accommodation is ample. Due attention is paid to heating and ventilation, and the classrooms are well kept. Mr Mawson visited the upper school on April 17. In his report he stated: “ The tone and discipline are very good, and an excellent spirit, of work prevails. A sound all-round training is being given and the college appears to be rendering a very necessary and valuable service to the community. The Margaret Ann M’Glashan Scholarship has been awarded to J, P, Cook. The General Assembly bursary has been awarded to J. H. Thomson.

About 40 members of, the Synod of Otago and Southland visited the college on March 27. They had lunch in the dining hall, and had an opportunity afterwards of inspecting the buildings and seeing the school at work. Mr Donald Grant, general secretary of the Students’ Christian Movement, paid ua a visit during the first term Tmd addressed the school. A party of English public,,school boys, who were touring the Dominion, visited the college in March and had lunch with Form VI. The cadets from the a.s. Northumberland played football against the college fifteen in August, and afterwards had tea with the boarders. The college won the match. It is with deep regret that I record the death of the Rev. Professor R. E. Davies. He took a keen interest in the college and appreciated the work that was being done here. By his untimely death we lose a warm friend.

I desire to express my gratitude to the donors of special prizes and other gifts to the Church Board of Property of the Presbyterian Church of Otago for the support it has given us during the last five years; to the Fire Insurance Committee of the church for renewing the General Assembly bursary; , and ,to the Dunedin Athenaeum for their prizes. I wish to thank the Board of Governors for the time and thought they have given to the affairs of the college and for the encouragement they have given mo from time to time. In conclusion, I wish to record my appreciation of the work done by the residential staff and the teaching staff. I consider our boys are very fortunate in having such a capable and keen set of masters to assist them in their studies and their games; to Mrs Baigent, in whose capable hands the domestic side and the catering have been; also to. Miss Finlayson I am very grateful. Finally, we all "much appreciate the help of Miss Glendinning, the college secretary. The report also details the activities of the college societies, and the sports and games of the institution.