ENCO0URAGING SIGNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18581, 15 December 1934, Page 12

ENCOOURAGING SIGNS

School roll larger PROGRESS AT THE “HIGH” RECTOR MAKES REPORT Presenting the twenty-sixth annual report of the Gisborne High School to parents.assembled for, the breakingup ceremony on Thursday. evening, the rector, Mr. <l. Hutton, gave a most interesting outline of what had been done during the year in the various divisions of schoolroom and playingground activities. Incidentally, he mentioned that tho school roll was recovering slightly from the effects of the recent economic difficulties, and that the number of scholars' had advanced from 412 at March 1 last year to 430 on the same date this year.

Regarding, tho number pf hoarders in the school rectory, Mr. Hut,top was able to record another slight increase. Examination results, . during.,, tho year just closing included the following successes: —One university entrance scholarship examination pass, with credit; two passes in sections of the B.A. degree examinations; two completions of university terms; two passes in training college entrance; 10 pupils passed for higher leaving certificates; one medical preliminary completed; 20 passes, from various university entrance, requirements; and 89 exemptions from further examination for the intermediate certificate. SPORTS ACTIVITIES Sports activities of the school have been kept at a high standard, despite the difficulties of-getting in subscriptions; the individual pupils having shown great keenness, and few having failed to do their best in this connection. The rector reminded parents of pupils that the so-called sports subscriptions covered a wide range of activities, including the issue of the school magazine when published. Cricket interest is well catered for in the school, Messrs L. H. Thomson, C. G. Frazer, Bilham, and Iveniohau being largely responsible for this phase of sport activity. The annual cricket match with Napier, .played last season at Gisborne, was won by the homo team, while the school first eleven proved runners-up in the Poverty Bay Cricket Association’s senior championship. . • Excellently managed -, by, Min Burns, the school swimming sports in March! furnished several new Records; while Messrs. Adams and Burns conducted) lifesaving classes, pupils winning various Royal Life-saving Society- awards for proficiency, two silver and 24 bronze) medallions coming to the school during/ the, year.

During the football season, Mr.V'P. C.> Edmondson and Mr, C. G. coached the first and second fifteens respectively, while other masters assisted with the lower grades, and in organising house matches., A defeat at the hands cf Napier was compensated; for hv a;victory over Hastings, in the 1 annual inter-school matches. _ . i Cadet activities are supervised by Major W. Dunphy, assisted by Captains Adams and Burns, and Lieutenants Bilham, Frazer and Langhorne. SPORTS FOR GIRLS Tennis and swimming in the summer and basketball and baseball in the winter provide for the .sporting activities of tho girl pupils, Miss Hooten giving regular coaching, and other ladies of,.the staff assisting ip various ways. Miss Hooten, as physical instructor and games mistress, controls the drill assemblies, which have done much for the physique of the. girls. Mr. H. F. Forster’s services in judging the drill competitions were much appreciated. ■ -* The school, athletic sports, held in October, .were well organised by Mr, Adams,. With .the general, .assistance olj the whole staff, and proved very successful. Amateur Athletic. Club officials also gave assistance throughout the sports season. A successful boxing tournament was another feature, Mr. C. O. Fraser promoting the tournament; and Mr. .1. Heeney earning the, thank 3 of the school for this, coaching work;) while the Gisborne Boxing Association officials also showed a keen ami kindly, interest. “As parents, here present may see for themselves,, music, takes a, worthy part in tho school, under the capable direction of Mr. L. 11. Thomson, continued the rector. ’School singing ,is taken in the hall every day, and must exert a beneficial influence on the school.” PREPARATORY AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS The report also dealt with, the work of the preparatory., department, and. the extension of the scope of . this, department, now proposed by the board ot ..gpverhors- It also gave details of, .the facilities provided for technical training for. industrial trades and open professions, pointing out the benefits, tp be derived, by scholars from, a continuation of their education., in directions fitting them for active work after, leaving school, The rector impressively quoted the Words of Professor Grant Robertson, of Birmingham University, who said,: “We are rapidly approaching a stage when the untrained will become unemployed and. unemployable,.” After dealing with cultural developments, the rector closed with an expression of thanks to the High Board of Governors for steady support and assistance throughout the year, and to the staff for the, helpful co-operative spirit in which they had carried out their duties.