KING’S HIGH SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 7

KING’S HIGH SCHOOL

RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT STEADY PROGRESS REVEALED The progress of King’s High School during the past year has been marked by a steady development in all departments of the school’s activities. This statement is contained in the annual report of the rector (Mr D. S. Chisholm), which was presented at yesterday’s meeting of the High Schools Board. Owing to the restrictions placed upon the opening of schools through the epidemic of infantile paralysis, the report states, the school year commenced on March 1. A further inroad upon its time was made by the closing of the school for one week in July for the New Education Fellowship Conference. Despite the short school year, however, the progress of the school has been satisfactorily steady. The increase in roll number, with its consequent additions to the teaching staff, has resulted in improved grading of the classes, and a further specialisation in the allocation of teaching subjects for the members of the staff. The completion of the new buildings, comprising two classrooms, art room and woodwork room, has afforded ample accommodation, and has freed the present assembly room to a great extent for general school purposes. The provision of an assembly hall in the near future will free this room for its original purpose, and allow more facilities for the senior classes as they develop in the school. Substantial additions have been made during the year to the furniture and general equipment. The grounds have received special attention. The generosity of parents and friends is shown in the numerous contributions to the amenities of the school. The support that has been accorded to the school during its first two years is not only gratifying, but has proved a source of encouragement to both staff and boys. The total enrolments for the year were 259, an increase of 55 on those of the previous year. Of these, 50 were seniors and 209 juniors. There were no paying pupils on the roll for this year. The terminal rolls showed the following numbers:— First term, 249; second term, 239; third term, 229. The number of senior boys increased from 19 in 1936 to 50 for the present year. The majority of third form entrants at the opening of the school will pass into the ranks of the seniors next year, by which time the school may be said to be emerging from its infancy. Up to the end of November, 30 boys left school, of whom 22 secured positions, five left the district, and three were withdrawn owing to ill-health. It is pleasing to note that responsible employers prefer to select their employees from boys of some maturity and experience, with a good standard of education. With the increase of roll number, further appointments were made to the staff. Mr O. J. Begg, M.A., and Mr A. G. Chisman, M.A., took up duties as A grade and C grade assistants respectively in March. At the same time, Mr W. L. Francis was appointed part-time instructor in woodwork. A further appointment was made in April, when Mr A. H. Robinson commenced duties as part-

time instructor in singing. The willing co-operation of the staff and its ready acceptance of responsibility in so many directions have not only assisted in the administration of the school, but also have ensured the successful development of all phases of the school’s activities. The school has been divided into nine forms —two fifth, four fourth, and three third forms, with a subdivision of one of the more unwieldy fourth forms. In addition, there has been a small lower sixth. No alteration has been made in the three courses—professional, general and modern general—in which the numbers in the early part of the year were:—Professional, 107; general, 133; modern general, 15. Keen enthusiasm and excellent control have been the features of the year’s work in the library, and the total issue of 3060 books is an indication of the efficiency and usefulness of this important section of the school. The number of books on the shelves is at present approximately 1100, and, in this achievement, due recognition must be made of the generosity of boys and parents. It is earnestly hoped that the Education Department will adopt as early as possible the suggestion of a definite capitation for the maintenance and improvement of school libraries. ' The benefits accruing to the school from the existence of a Parents’ Association have been amply demonstrated, not only by its united interest and encouragement, but also by practical and financial assistance in matters of internal and external equipment and improvement of the school surroundings. Assistance has also been readily forthcoming from both the executive and the Ladies’ Committee in social functions. A campaign to raise a portion of the funds for the assembly hall has been undertaken, and for some months has been enthusiastically prosecuted.