OTAGO BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 62

OTAGO BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

EXAMINERS’ REPORT. The following is a report on the Boys’ High School by Inspectors Anderson and Gill, who visited the school in October The subjects of instruction—comprising English language and literature, Latin, French, mathematics (including arithmetic), science (physics, chemistry, physiology), geography and history, drawing (including mechanical dra/wing), bookkeeping and commercial correspondence, shorthand —are arranged to prepare boys for the University, for various public examinations, and for commercial pursuits. Neither Latin nor French is a compulsory subject of th© course, but one at least of these languages must be taken by pupils. The alternatives are: In lieu of Latin, commercial work (live hours weekly), and in lieu of French, either drawing (two hours freehand, one hour mechanical) or a shorter commercial programme (three hours). Of the roll number, only 34 are non-Latin boys, as against 239 taking Latin. The non-French* pupils number 75, of whom 34 take drawing and 39 commercial work (including under this head 11 senior boys who take extra geography and history for aatriculation). ' The proportion of boys who elect to take Latin (87 per cent, of the roll) is exceptionally high, and we understand in the past it has .been even higher. As at the same time 73 per cent, taka French, is follows that some three-fifths of the whole must attempt two languages other than English. To reduce this proportion materially would probably be in the interests of the school. The school is organised in four main _ forms, suitably divided into classes of fairly convenient size, of which the Upper Sixth has in view the prrrior -University scholarship, and the Lower "Sixth is engaged on preliminary work with a similar ultimate object. The form also includes a few boys returning for a year after matriculation. Form V is the special matriculation form, V Remove consists mainly of third-year boys, who have already gained a senior free, place, a scholarship form of second-year boys comes next; two other groups—of medium and lower grade respectively—contaning the remander of the second-year pupls. Of the first-year boys a similar division is made (Form 111, A, B, and C). There is no preparatory department. In the distribution of the staff the senior masters take mainly (though not exclusively) their own special subjects; other masters take general work in different forme according to their requirements. Commercial work is taken by Mr Macpherson and Mr Reid only. Of the general conduct of the school we formed a high opinion. It is under the control of an energetic and capable head of scholarly attainments, and the* staff provided reaches a high average of professional experience and ability. In the subjects of th© various forms- suitable programmes are drawn up, and these are carried out in an earnest spirit on methods that must ensure substantial progress. The teaching is very largely vigorous, effective, and .well directed. In response to oral questions, put in the course of inspection, the pupils in class- repeatedly answered with very pleasing evidences of intelligent appreciation. 01 the result of paper questions, by way of examination in connection with the grant of senior free places to boys now ini their second year, the impression formed was more varied. Pupils who were also prospective candidates ‘for scholarships or for civil service .were commonly good—in a. number of cases very good indeed. Among th© rank and file the demands of the more sustained effort left more to be desired than we were quite prepared for from the general character of the incidental answering. In French the school has made a forward step in discarding- a- set of text-books —very good in their day, but of antiquated type—in favour of others on more modern lines, and with th© employment of a promising young master of spocal academical qualifications in tho language an earnest effort is being made to improve the method of treatment. In science the teaching is practical, so far as the facilities provided will permit, and the instruction is distinctly good.