DUNEDIN NORTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22755, 16 December 1935, Page 7

DUNEDIN NORTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.

The Intermediate fchool has now been in operation for two years, and has become more firmly established in the northern end of the city. The scholars are drawn mainly from •' Union Street, George Street, and old Albany Street Schools’ districts, but many on the roli come from outside districts.

The building embodies all the latest ideas in modern schoolroom construction. Ventilation, lighting, and heating follow the most modern developments, while the furniture is of the latest type. The lawns and flower plots add a distinctive touch to the school environment. When the playground on the other side of the Leith and the bridge over the Leith to connect the two grounds have been completed the school will have a splendid playing area. Logan Park has been made full use of by the school teams, and permission to use the Lawn Tennis Association’s courts gives ample opportunity for the development of tennis, especially among the girls. Concrete tennis and basketball courts are now being laid down near to the school, and will be ready for use at the beginning of 1936. Visitors invariably express pleasure at the congenial conditions under which teachers and scholars work. The attendance of so many senior pupils has made it possible to run the house system to advantage, and the operation of the system both in classwork and in games has been an important feature in the successful development of a school spirit.

The school is within easy walking distance for most of the scholars, but for those living at some distance the Logan Park tram service affords ready means of access. Tram concession tickets' are procurable at the following rates:—Two sections, 2s 6d per month; over two sections, 4s.

Scholars from Woodhaugh, Dalmore, and Opoho may travel to the school from and to George Street School per Leith Valley motor bus at a very reasonable fare.

One of the principal objects in the establishment of intermediate schools is to enable the scholars to discover their aptitudes as far as possible—whether they should go on to a high school >or to a technical high school, or perhaps proceed to work and take evening classes.

The two years’ work at the school :has shown that with the large attendanceof senior pupils they can be grouped ac-t cording to ability, and this, in conjunction with an efficient and specialised staff and a more liberal range of subjects 1 in the curriculum, has enabled the scholars to progress at a uniform rate in their respective classes. Those in the higher, classes have been, able to take more advanced work and to progress more rapidly. The excellent results in the proficiency : examinations are an indication of the success of the school.

The Intermediate School regulations were framed for a two years’ course, but the Minister of Education has granted, under certain restrictions, an extension to three years.

Any pupil who has secured his proficiency certificate may attend the Intermediate School in Form 111 until the end of the year in which he reaches the age of 13 years, and he is then at liberty to proceed to a secondary school.

Any pupil over 13 years of age from any school who has gained his proficiency or certificate may attend for a third year if his parents or guardian

furnish the board with a written declaration that the pupil does not intend later to enter any public post-primary school as a full-time day pupil.

Form 111 pupils will take a course selected from the following:—English subjects, arithmetic, mathematics, science, home science, drawing, woodwork, bookkeeping, craftwork.