OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21986, 22 June 1933, Page 13

OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

BOARD OF GOVERNORS The monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools Board'of Governors was held yesterday afternoon, there being present Dr G. E. Thompson (chairman), Mrs S. M. Park, Archdeacon Fitchett, Messrs J. J. Mallard, W. R. Brugh, J. 0. Stephens, and D. T. Fleming. CORRESPONDENCE. The lady principal of the Girls’ High School reported that Mr C. R. Spackman proposed to enter two choirs from the school for the Dunedin Competitions Society’s school choir contest. —Approved. A letter was received from the Director of Education stating that the department had no objection to offer to the proposal to grant the Dunedin Unemployment Committee a further area on the South Dunedin High School site for further plots.—The secretary reported that he had advised the Unemployment Committee of the department’s sanction, and had received a fetter of thanks therefor.

An application- was received from the Y.W.C.A. Unemployment Committee for the use of the commercial room, with typewriters, at the Girls’ High School after school hours on one afternoon a week for a class for unemployed girls.— Granted. The Education Board’s architect, in reporting on fractures which had occurred in the brick wall at the southwest corner of the annexe at the Girls’ High School, stated that he suspected the fractures to have been caused, by earth movement, but that he would make a careful investigation of the matter and submit a report to the board.—Received, the architect to be thanked. The resignation from the staff of the Girls’ High School of Miss F. E. Rainforth, who is shortly to be married, was accepted with regret, the board wishing Miss Eainforth every happiness. RECTOR’S REPORT. The rector of the Boys’ High School (Mr W. J. Morrell) reported that the total number of boys now upon the school roll was 729, of whom 322 were seniors, 396 juniors, and 11 paying pupils. The corresponding totals for June, 1928-1932, were respectively 702, 706, 697, 764, and 708. It would be noted that there had been a drop of 31 in the numbers since March 1, 1933 (760). Of the 35 who had left since that date four were transferred to other schools, but nearly all the others had found employment, permanent or temporary. During the term holidays a good deal of useful work was voluntarily done by the various specialist sections of the cadet corps—artillery, machine gun, and signallers—the work of the artillery including both gunnery and riding drill. The spirit shown was excellent,. and the performance of the boys was reported as distinctly creditable. On June 2 the school was visited by the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobba) and the G.0.C., New Zealand Forces (Major-general Sinclair-Burgess). It had been intended to hold an inspection parade, but the weather unfortunately made this impossible. Both General Sin-clair-Burgess and Mr Cobbo briefly addressed the boys and made a personal inspection. They expressed much satisfaction at the general physique and demeanour of the' boys. The artillery section was subsequently inspected at the Central Battery, favourable comments being made on its smartness and good work. On Saturday, June 3, the battalion took part in the King’s Birthday parade at the Oval, the numbers present being 10 officers and 525 cadets. Major M. Watt was in command. At the invitation of the Otago Art Society a party of boys on June 13 visited the sketch exhibition held by the society at the Pioneer Hall. Ih conclusion he expressed the deep regret with which all at the school received the news of Sir Thomas Sidey’s death on May 20. At a member of the board for n long period and as chairman for five years (1914-1919) Sir Thoixms had rendered great service to the school. Himself one of its most distinguished old boys, he always showed a keen persona] interest in its welfare. His name was well known to masters and boys alike, and the- loss which the whole community had suffered was realised by all. Sincere sympathy was felt with Lady Sidey and her family in their sorrow.'The report was adopted. LADY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The lady principal of the Girls’ High School (Miss M. H. M. King) reported that the roll on June 19 was as follows:—Senior free place, 169; junior free place, 377; paying pupils, 3; total 549. 'The totals for 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932 were 433, 454, 480, and 563 respectively. The attendance at. the beginning of the term was affected somewhat by colds and influenza, but these seemed now to be abated. Of those win left at the end of last term or the beginning of this, six withdrawals were on account of home circumstances, four were transfers to other schools, four obtained positions in shops, one took up dressmaking, two flower work and art crafts, and one nursing, and one left for Sydney. The annual choir contest was held on Friday evening,. June 16, Mr G. W. Johnstone acting as judge. The singing was generally most creditable, and -of an even higher standard than in past years. Mr Johnstone’s comments and judgment were much appreciated. He awarded the leading positions in each section as follows: — Senior: Via and Va (equal) 1, Vac 2. Middle: I Vac 1, IVs 2. Junior: Iliac 1, Ills and Ilia (equal) 2. There was a large attendance of parents and friends. The report was adopted.