THE SCHOLASTIC YEAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 3

THE SCHOLASTIC YEAR

OTAGO GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S ANNUAL REPORT According to the annual report of the principal (Miss M. H. M. King), which was releaseed at the monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools’ Board yesterday, the roll of the Otago Girls’ High School declined during the year, this being due in all probability to the late opening. Although the number of new entries was maintained, the total number of girls returning fell away by just about that constituting the decrease from the actual roll required to maintain it at the level of the past four years. The roll on March 1 was 555, the entries for the year being 223. The total roll was 572, and the roll at December 1 was 514. The average attendances were: First term 536..5 and second term 518.

The general health had been good, the report continued, both among the girls and among the teachers. There had been no wide prevalence even of colds or influenza, although these were always in evidence to some extent, especially in bad weather.

“ I can truthfully say,” Miss King states, “that we have not greatly felt the loss of the four weeks that the opening of the school was delayed by last summer’s epidemic. The arrears of work have been distributed over the year and the slack gradually taken up. During the two weeks previous to enrolment much good work was done going over and co-relating syllabuses and discussing various matters in connection with the class work and the general organisation. One result has been a revision of the rules for the school uniform. Other less definite but none the less important effects of this time of consultation have been felt in the work of the year.

“In the Home Science Department, the chief event of the year has been the renovation of the kitchen walls and ceiling and the laying down of new linoleum in the kitchen and store room. Further rather sweeping renovations are being asked for in the equipment, which, if granted, will make ■ the kitchen department one of the most up-to-date available. The application to the Education Department for a new sewing room in the basement, with the addition of a closedin veranda to the annex, is also being renewed. When the scheme for distribution of free milk to schools was inaugurated, we applied for sufficient to supply all those willing to take it, and on the average, more than 300 have been supplied. There is, I think, considerable improvement in the general health as a result. We renewed again the effort of Health Week, and gave special talks to the girls on health and personal hygiene.. We are especially obliged to Dr Marion Whyte for again seconding our efforts by addressing the school on health. We should be very glad to welcome the inauguration of a health service for secondary schools, and if no move in that direction is made next year by the education authorities, would apply for the board’s approval and co-op-eration in securing some measure of medical examination and supervision for those who are not under the regular care of a family physician.

“Despite the late start, a comprehensive scheme of work has been covered in the gymnasium. As well as formal exercises and work in co-ordination, which have been taken by everyone, the seniors have learned exercises combined with breathing according to the modern ideas. Greek dancing has been taught to the seniors and rhythmic work to the juniors, to provide the necessary relaxed movements. Swimming classes have been well attended, especially by third forms. The number of non-swimmers is not large, and of these’ several are medically excused.

“The New Fellowship Conference held its sessions in the school and a large proportion of the staff attended the meetings. We decided, on holding an informal staff meeting to discuss impressions, that, on the whole, we had already been seeking to follow up in the school most of the lines indicated as the trend of modern educational thought. “ The lending department of the library has been very active this year. During the first term £35, including £ 5 subsidy from the board’s funds, was spent in replacihg dilapidated books and buying new ones, and during the third term a system was inaugurated whereby the girls themselves will help with the upkeep of the library, each class contributing one book annually. This effort has also been subsidised by the board. The enlargement of the library has resulted _in increased membership. Further increase in the supply of books is necessary before we can feel that the lending library is adequate. The magazine section also continues to be very popular. “ The school finished the year with an efficient orchestra of 45 players. Practices have been well attended and a good deal of_ benefit has been gained from the instruction given by Mr Spademan. The outstanding event of the musical

year has been the formation by Mr Spackman of a special choir of about 40 girls, who, he felt, would do even higher work than that done by the school choir. The special choir performed with- signal success at the junior orchestra concert and will sing from 4YA at the evening session on December 15." Miss King concluded her report by thanking members of the board and the secretary for their help, and members of the staff for their unfailing assistance during a year that was more difficult than usual.