HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22810, 20 February 1936, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools 5 Board was held yesterday. The chairman (Dr G. E. Thompson) presided, and there were also present the Mayor (the Eev. E. T. Cox), Mr F. H. Campbell, Mr D. T. Fleming, Mr J. C. H. Somerville, Mr W. R. Brugh and Mrs S. M. Park. Mr Brugh was elected chairman, vice Dr Thompson, who did not seek reelection, Mr J. Robertson was re-elected treasurer of the board. RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted: —Mr K. W. R. Glasgow, from the staff of King 5 s High School; Miss Elizabeth Barrowclough, from Otago Girls 5 High School; and Miss R. A. Rosevear, from Otago Girls 5 High School. — It was decided to write congratulating Mr Glasgow, who had been appointed a lecturer at the Otago University, and Miss Barrowclough, who had been appointed to the staff of the Training College. FREE PLACE EXTENSION. The Education Department notified the extension of free places at post-primary schools during 1930. Pupils who could take advantage of the extension must be under 19 and must be able to satisfy the director they were hot able to pay the fees. —Received. FREE SCHOOL BOOKS. The Education Department advised that the Minister (Mr P. Fraser) had agreed to reinstate the grants for school books for children whose parents or guardians were not in a position to pay for them. This applied only to text books —not to stationery. Mr Brugh: This is something more than has obtained for the past few years. Mrs Park: If the announcement had been made earlier it would have enabled people to take advantage of this grant who have perhaps now bought their chilbooks. Mr Fleming: The money will be refunded. It was decided to reply thanking the department. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. Committees were appointed for 1930 as follows: — Works and Visiting.—Mr Somerville (chairman), Bishop Fitchett, Mrs Park, Messrs Robertson and Campbell. Appointments.—Dr Thompson (chairman ), Mrs Park, Messrs Robertson and Campbell. Finance. —Mr Robertson (chairman), Bishop Fitchett, Messrs Somerville and Campbell. Hostel. —Mr Brugh (chairman), Bishop Fitchett, Mrs Park, Dr Thomp-. son, Messrs Robertson and Somerville. Endowments. —Messrs Fleming (chairman), Somerville and Robertson, and Mrs Park. Sub-committee Messrs Fleming and Somerville. The chairman to be an ex-offlcio member of all committees. KING’S HIGH SCHOOL. A letter was received from the Education Department advising that further consideration of the board’s proposals with regard to the erection of a rector’s residence at the King’s High School'' and the provision of facilities for teaching woodwork and metalwork has been postponed until next year. A further letter stated that the department would have no objection to woodwork instruction being provided this year if suitable facilities could be offered by the Otago Education Board.

It was reported that arrangements had been made for one class a week to go from the King’s High School for woodwork instruction at the North Dunedin centre.

PART-TIME TEACHERS. A letter was received from the Education Department approving the board’s proposals for the employment this year of the present part-time teachers at the Otago Boys’ High School plus two additional hours weekly for Mr C. R. Spackman for the teaching of singing to firstyear forms. —Received. The lady principal (Miss King) wrote recommending that the hours and salaries of the part-time teachers ,be as for 1935.—Received.

PIANO FOR KING’S HIGH SCHOOL. Mr Campbell brought up the matter of providing a piano for the King's High School. “ I don’t think there is a chance of the department making n grant,” he said, “ but I think the board could provide a piano out of its own funds. When the Parents’ Association commences activities Mr Chisholm expects that it will set about raising funds for an assembly hall. ‘ It can't be expected to provide both a hall and a piano. I will move that a piano be purchased for the school.” Mr Campbell was asked whether he would be agreeable to the matter being referred to the Finance Committee for a report at next meeting. “Yes,” he said, “but there is another month that the school will be without a piano. « Mr Somerville: The Otago Boys High School did without one for 30 years. Mr Campbell; But they didn’t have singing. Finally the matter was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.

FINANCE, The financial statement showed receipts since December amounting _to £4003 17s 3d and expenditure totalling £5177 10s 2d, the excess of expenditure over receipts being £1173 12s lid. — Approved. Accounts amounting to £4005 8s 7d were passed for payment. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The rector of the Otago Boys’ High School (Mr H. P. Kidson) submitted the following report:—

The school reopened for the 1936 session on February 4. * The total number of new pupils up to the present date is 147. Of these 139 are holding junior free places and four senior, while four are paying pupils. The total entry for the corresponding date in 1935 was 204, in 1934 264, and in 1933 213. The number of boys returning from last year is 455 (556 in 1935), the total roll thus amounting to 602. The corresponding total for 1935 was '760, for 1934 808, and for 1933 763. The drop in roll is, of course, duo lo the. opening of the new school in South Dunedin, but the numbers arc larger than we anticipated and an additional D Grade master (and possibly two) will have to be appointed.

The enrolment at Campbell Houce is again gratifying, there being 49 in residence this year as against 42 last year and 26 in 1034.

The school has been organised into 20 forms, there being three at the postmatriculation stage, eight fifth forms (five professional and three modern), five fourth forms (three professional and two moderns), and four third forms (three professional and one modern). The only change in organisation and curriculum of any importance are the dividing of the day into seven periods instead of five, the institution of singing and musical appreciation for first year forms, and the broadening of the science syllabus in the third forms by which an attempt is being made to give the boys a very elementary knowledge of some of the “ natural ” sciences in addition to their more intensive study of the “ pure ” sciences. The decrease in the number of forms has enabled us to give each first and second year form two periods a week of physical training with the gymnastic instructor. The report was approved.

KING’S HIGH SCHOOL. The rector of the King’s High School (Mr D. S. Chisholm) reported as follows : Opening of School. —The school was opened on Monday, February 3, 1930, for the purpose of enrolling pupils. The number of pupils in attendance exceeded expectations, and on the first day 192 pupils were enrolled. At the end of the week this number had increased to 197. Of the total number of 197 on the roll, 78 were transferred from the Otago Boys’ High School and 119 have entered from the various primary schools. A further analysis of the roll shows that 17 hold senior free places, 175 junior free places, and that there are five paying pupils. The first staff meeting was held on February 1 prior to the opening of the school, there being present Messrs K. W. R. Glasgow, S. R. Crimp, E. Hayes, R. T. Richards and W. N. Wood. Dr B. H. Howard joined the staff on February 4, and Mr J. T. Moore took up duty as a temporary assistant master on February 10. Three courses —professional, general and modern general—have been provided, the numbers taking these courses being: Professional 83, general 102, modern general 12. Complete arrangements have not yet been possible with regard to all the classes, but a temporary time table has ensured a full utilisation of the full school hours.

The report was adopted. GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL,

The lady principal of the Otago Girls’ High School (Mias M. H. M. King) presented the following report: The school opened for enrolment of new pupils on February 3 and next day for the resumption of school work. The number of new pupils is almost exactly the same as last year, and the total number slightly larger than at the same date in 1935. There are 173 senior free place pupils, 399 junior free place, and two paying pupils —a total of 574, compared with 567 at this time last year. There are 205 new pupils and 369 returned from last year. The classes were tentatively arranged and the year’s work started from February 4. Miss Rosevear being unable to resusme duties, two relieving teachers were engaged to fill the vacancies caused by her resignation and that of Miss Bell. Miss Shallcrass is at present in exchange with Miss Sutton.

The effect of the reopening of the Dunedin Training College and the better prospects for entry to the teaching profession is seen in a very much larger return of post-matriculation pupils. There are 36 in the Lower and seven in the Upper Sixth Form. The report was adopted.