HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22834, 19 March 1936, Page 13

HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Boys and Girls' High School Board was held yesterday afternoon and was attended by Messrs W. R. Brush (chairman), F. H. Campbell, J. Robertson, D. T. Fleming, Bishop Fitchctt, Dr G. E. Thompson, and Mrs S. M. Park. Accounts amounting to £SIBO 5s Id were passed for payment. Mr W. W. Bridgman applied for additional leave of absence in order to enable him to carry out studies in France. —The application was granted. A letter was received from the Education Department approving of the board's proposals for the employment of parttime teachers for 1936. —Received. It was decided to carry out certain improvements in lighting, as requested by the rector, at the King's High School. In connection with the official opening of the King's High School, it was decided to ask Mr J. C. H. Somerville, a member of the board who is at present in Wellington, to endeavour to secure the attendance of the GovernorGeneral. BOYS* HIGH SCHOOL. The rector (Mr H. P. Kidson) submitted the following report under date March 16:— " I have to report that the total number now on the school roll is 590. Of this total 287 are seniors, 282 juniors, and 21 paying pupils. The corresponding totals for March, 1931-35, are respectively 774, 785, 755, 792, and 750. "In my last month's report I mentioned some'changes that we had brought about in the school organisation and curriculum. The day has been divided into seven periods instead of five. This division is almost the universal one. It has its disadvantages, but it gives greater elasticity in arranging the curriculum. For instance, we have been able to give all third form boys a period of 40 minutes' singing and musical appreciation, and all third and fourth form boys -two similar periods of physical training, where it was difficult to find time to give the same number of hour periods for the same purposes. With the larger number of periods, too, it is possible to preserve a better balance in the time allotted to the various subjects. "I have been pleased to beg>n singing and musical appreciation with the third form boys. This will mean that all boys passing through the school will have been through the music master's hands and the majority will, we hope, have some love for, and knowledge of, music. This will react on the voluntary musical organisations—already the choir has increased to 57 and the orchestra has 38 members. "We are this year trying to remedy

a defect that has long been felt_ to be present in the science teaching in our school. While retaining chemistry as the main science which we teach intensively right through the school course, we are in the first and second year forms devoting rather more time to general experimental and natural science. We are giving (the boys at least a glimpse not only at the physical sciences (electricity and magnetism and heat, sound and light) but at the natural sciences (botany and biology). Chemistry will supply the training in scientific method, and other studies will be pursued n;ore for their informative and cultural value. This is something in the nature of an experiment, but one which we approach with considerable enthusiasm." The report was adopted. KING'S HIGH SCHOOL. The rector (Mr D. S. Chisholm) reported as follows under date March 13:— On March 1 the roll number was 198, comprising 174 junior free pupils, 18 senior free pupils, and six paying pupils. The present roll stands at the same figure, one junior having left to take a position and one new junior having enrolled since the above date. On this number the school is classified in Grade IV, with a staff of seven full-time assistant masters. "Work is proceeding satisfactorily pending the arrival of the two newly appointed members. of the staff, when slight alterations and additions to the curriculum will probably be made. "Teams from the school have entered for and are now taking part in competitions arranged by the Otago Boys' Cricket Association. * "Twenty-six maps have been received from the Education Department. The equipment of the science laboratory has been practically completed by the provision of laboratory stools. Cork linoleum has been laid in the library and corridor upstairs, and when the furniture comes to hand there will be no delay in making use of this important part of the building. Part of the furniture for the staff room and office has been received." The report was adopted. GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. The principal (Miss M. H. King) reported as follows under date March 13:— "The roll at date is aa follows: Senior free places 172, junior free places 399, paying pupils 2; total, 573. The following are comparative figures:— 1935, 5C9; 1934, 568; 1933, 572; 1932, 573."