GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16826, 13 December 1928, Page 4

GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR ACTING RECTOR'S REPORT The annual report of the acting rector of the Gisborne High School, Mr. i<\ J. Wilkes, M.A., shows that the vear has Deent ni„st successful. The report slates : •Roll and attendance.—The number of pupils showed a considerable advance upon last year, the secondary roll uumi:or on March 1 being as against '■■ ; '6 in 1927. 'J he attendance has been . uod throughout the year. Rather more

uian the usual number of junior pupils nave left during the year, some of these apparently having been sent to school to fill in time until a situation could oe obtained. The upper school, on the other hand, maintained its numbers well, the Sixth Form, with 25 pupils, i eing the largest we have yet had iu the school.

"Buildings and grounds.—No additions to the school rooms' have been found .necessary. The equipment of the girls' science laboratory has enabled all the girls to take home science as a subject of study. A steady improvement las been maintained in the condition <,f the grounds. In this connection the thanks of the school are duo to_ the caretakers for their untiring efforts. Tho levelling of the large playing-field adjacent to the, bath has proved very .successful, and has greatly increased the facilities for athletics and sport. The bath is in daily use during the summer months, and is proving to bo of the utmost value to the health and physical well-being of the pupils. "Staff.—The rector has been absent iSn a prolonged tour of England and the Continent since March last. His return to Gisborne is expected early in January. Miss !;urward also hai been absent on leave to pursue her studies at the university. Mr, J. Thompson, 8.A., and Miss M. L. Brown, 8.A., have been acting as 'relieving teachers during the year, and Miss M. Ray and Mr. G. W. Foote have been appointed as permanent teachers. Mr. E. L. Adams, 13. A., a firmer teacher, has again joined the s:aff after teaching for a time at Wellington Hoys' College. "Examinations. —Passes as follows .•ere obtained in our last examination.- :

rst section B.A. degree, 1; higher

k-aviiig certificates, 14; matriculation and allied examinations, 48; teacher-;' class D examination. 13; senior national scholarship, 2; public service entrance. 28; senior free, place, 92; standard VI examination, 12. "Preparatory department. Miss O'Brient continues the teaching of standards IV, V, and VI with energy and success. The roll number for the year has been 29. Most of these, coming from remote country districts, are backward for their age on entering school. Consequently tho teacher's task is exceptionally difficult. During the year the preparatory department was examined by the inspector, who remarked upon the sound work clone by the teacher in charge. At the recent examination Miss O'Brient secured six standard VI proficiency passes. "Boarders.—Th© number of boarders both at the rectory (SO) and at the girls' hostel (26) shows" an advance on those of last year. Miss Thomson continues her good work as matron at the rectory, and Miss Price and Mrs. Adair have shown their usual efficiency in caring for the girls. Miss Stephens, assisted by Miss Espiner, continues to be in charge of the hostel, and the acting rector, assisted by Messrs. Laughorne and Bilham, at the rectory. ( "Inspectors' visits. —During tho year the school was visited by Mr. Parr and Miss Hetherington, secondary inspectors, for the purpose of grading teachers and recommending pupils for senior free places. Ninety-eight pupils of Form IV have been passed by the inspectors. ~ "School institutions.—The various school institutions have continued to flourish. The games club committee organises the sports of the school. Tho library, containing a fine selection of books, is well patronised. On© magazine, instead of tho usual two, has been issued during the year. The cadet company, under the charge of Captain Dunphy and Lieutenants Adams and Burns, has carried on tho usual year's training. In January next it is proposed to hold a camp for training N.C.'s at Trentham, at which 12 of our boys will bo present. "Athletics.—The additional playingfield provided has already proved a great boon. House cricket matches have been played regularly during the season on the northern half of the new grounds, and there will be at least two football fields available for next season, as well as a much more spacious area for our annual sports gathering. During the year the girls have played hockey, tennis, and basket-ball. The formation of a Poverty Bay Basket-ball Association has widened interest in the latter game'. In hockey, the girls were successful in winning the Thursday competitions. The boys' first fifteen won the local junior Rugby competition after a series of hard games. In the annual football match with the Napier High School we were beaten by a small margin. Our annual sports gathering in October produced several good performances, the most noteworthy event being Fisken's record of 4.49 for the mile.

"Old 1 Students' Association.—Our thanks are duo to the old students for Their continued interest in and help to the school. Through their efforts last year the baths gates were completed and this year they have contributed a considerable sum towards the levelling of the new grounds. ' "Conclusion.—l wish to express appreciation of the loyalty and enthusiastic work of my colleagues on the staff who have at all times devoted themselves 'to their duties with untiring energy. I have also to thank the hoard"and especially tho chairman, Mr. T/. T. Buniard, and the secretary, Mr. 0. H. Bull, for their keen interest in I the welfare of the school."