TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3332, 6 December 1883, Page 2

TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

An adjourned monthly meeting of the Timaru School Committee was held last evening. Present — Messrs John Jackson (Chairman), J. Hill, W. Jones, J. S. Gibson, W. Leggott, A, O. G. Stone, and James Bruce. PRIZES. A handsome writing desk, and a equally handsome desk and work-box combined,were submitted by Mr G.Pearson as prizes—the former to bo given to the boy and the latter to the girl most efficient in writing. The valuable contributions were accepted with hearty thanks. Mrs Graham requested the Committee to arrange a special examination to be held of the three highest girls in the school—Misses Mcllroy, Gooch and Stone—who had passed equally, to decide which should have the honor of being made “ dux” for the year. It was resolved to request Mr Gurr to conduct the examination. Some discussion arose as to the advisableness of giving prizes at all. Handsome certificates or a monster pic-nic were suggested, but it was finally decided to adhere to the custom of distributing prizes. THE ENTERTAINMENT. The Chairman reported that so far, the gross proceeds of the entertainment received amounted to £69 Is. The expenses £ll 2s 6d, had all been paid and there was an available balance of £SB 18s 6d. The Committee believed, however, that there was still some money outstanding. Mr Stone, who had acted as stage manager expressed his gratification at the result, and his thanks to the teachers and others, for their co-opera-tion.

Special votes of thanks were passed to the teachers, to the members of the orchestra, who had given their services without charge, and to the Entertainment Committee. inspector’s report.

The report of the Inspector Mr John Gurr, on the recent standard examination of the school, was received, but as there were several omissions, consideration was deferred. inspector’s reports.

The following reports by Mr Gurr on examinations of the schools were read :

Report of examination of Timaru Main School, held on November 19th, 21st, and 22nd,1883: — “ Per centage of passes 66.8.

“General remarks—standardVl.—The work of this standard was very satisfactory. The reading of the girls was excellent; that of the boys good. The dictation and spelling of both were very good. The writing was good. The arithmetic was rather weak. I would advise the teachers in this important subject to abandon rules, and exorcise the pupils in general questions calculated to draw out intelligence and thought. The composition and grammar were fair, but the analysis requires more practice. The Geography and history were both excellent. Too much can hardly be said in favor of the needlework as far as it was presented. Patching and darning would have made it perfect. The behavior of the pupils and their discipline under examination were highly creditable.

“Standard Y.—The work of this standard was also satisfactory. The reading was good, that of the girls very good. The dictation and spelling of girls and boys were alike good. The writing was quite equal to the requirements of the standard. The arithmetic was again weak. The composition and grammar ware rather unsatisfactory, the latter wanting in method. The geography and history were very good. All I have said about the needlework of the sixth standard may be said of the girls’ work in the fifth. The discipline and behaviour were both very satisfactory. “Standardly.—The reading of the girls wan very good, but that of the boys was wanting in expression. The dictation and spelling were fair. The writing in many instances was good, but the subject, on the whole, will require more attention. The arithmetic,grammar geography, and history were inferior, although some of the candidates have done good work. Mr Scott has looked over all the examination papers since my corrections, and will, I am sure, satisfy himself that the teaching is more thorough in future. The needlework was above the requirements of the standard, and of excellent quality. The behavior and discipline wore good. “Standard 111.—The girls’ reading

was good, but the boys’ rather inferior , The dictation an; 1 , spelling of both were 1 very good. The writing in this standard i must received more attention, especially j in the boys’ division. The subject must, be taught, and not allowed to be a mere ; practice. The arithmetic in many in- ■ stances was very good, but failures were far too numerous. The grammar, geography, and history papers were very inferior, especially from the girls’ division, and these subjects have tended greatly to reduce the peicentage of passes in the standards fcr the whole school. The needlework wa very good. The behavior and discipline of the pupils in this standard must be improved. “Standard ll.—The reading was very good, with sixteen exceptions, in a class of ninety-seven candidates. The spelling and writing were both satisfactory. The arithmetic was very fair. While this subject was not a strong one, onlytwelve pupils were unsatisfactory. There were nineteen failures in geo graphy, but most of those who passed were a little weak. The needlework was very satisfactory. Eight girls, however, failed to satisfy me, chiefly through their work having been taken out of the school before my examination. The discipline and behavior were excellent.

“ Standard I.—The whole of the work in this standard was highly satisfactory.

“Infant Department.—About ninety pupils in the primer class might hav<passed the first standard, but they wer.: wisely kept back. They will form a strong first standard class for next year. The reading was slow, deliberate, and rendered with excellent emphasis. The spelling was good when confined to the words of the “Eeader.”’ The writing was very good. The arithmetic was very correct as far as the addition of three rows of figures in hundreds, simple multiplication, and mental additions. The reading and writing in the lower division were very good. This department is worked rather noisily. I would advise the teachers to speak in a quieter tone of voice, they will then find that their pupils will be more attentive and obedient, and they themselves will add greatly to their own comfort in the discharge of their duties. “ Extra Standard work—Many very handsome specimens of fancy work were presented by the girls. The drawings in the upper classes were very correct, and highly finished, while the maps done by the boys were excellent, especially one of the British Isles. The work of the fourth standard in drawing and mapping is vere creditable. I was very pleased with the singing of both girls and boys, especially with one very difficult piece, which was rendered by the fifth and sixth standard girls in excellent time and tune. The infant singing was very pleasing, but the actions require greater precision. Several of the girls recited admirably, and nearly all acquitted themselves well.

“In conclusion I must state that the percentage of scholars at this examination is a very poor index of the state of of the school. Taken as a whole it has done good work. The children in the third and fourth standards who have failed will make good candidates for the same stands next year. They will do their work in comfort, without being Irn.-go'l fr'-i standard to standard, throughout the rest of their school course, as they otherwise must have been. Copy books should be retained in the school till the annual inspection is over. “ John Guee, Inspector." Nov. 22,1883. Report on the Examination of the Side School, held November 5.

“ Per centage 93 8,

“This school is very well managed. The teachers are earnest workers, and the pupils are attentive and behave well. In the second standard, the highest work done, the children have done very well in slate arithmetic, but they require practice in mental arithmetic of a higher character than that at present in the school. The reading is not very fluent, but it is clear and deliberate, and fluency will soon follow. Spelling, when confined to the words of the “ Reader ” is good, but with general test words it is rather faulty. Writing is fair. Geography and needlework are both up to the requirements of the syllabus. In the first arithmetic and writing are both very good, The reading of the girls is good, but that of the boys hardly good enough for the standard. In spelling almost 20 per cent failed. This subject requires more general practice. The sewing is well done. The singing would be good if a little more smartness were shown in the actions. The recitations are excellent, and the subject matter of the poems is well worked up. The copy and drawing books are clean, and the work appears to be well supervised. The primer class gave me great satisfaction. The lowest division of the school wants more smart collective training. Notwithstanding the few faults I have pointed out, the whole work of the school is in a healthy state. The registers are carefully kept. “ John Gurr, Inspector.” REPAIRS. It was resolved to apply to the Education Board for the removal of certain closets, which were in too close proximity to the Infant School, Mr Gibson remarking that their position caused a dangerous effluvium to be experienced in the rooms. RESIGNATION. The resignation by Miss Kissell, of the post of second mistress, was received. APPLICATION FOE A ROOM. Mrs Grahame, Head Mistress, applied for the use of one of the rooms on an evening to be fixed, for the purpose of holding a juvenile party and other festivities. The Committee, after consideration, felt compelled to decline the application, as it would be necessary to insure the School for the occasion, by the Board’s regulations. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. Mr Jacob Hill moved the motion standing in his name—“ That the resolution passed on June 4 last, re the application from the ministers of the different denominations to be allowed to give Bible instruction out of regular school hours be rescinded, and that the said ministers bo informed that the Committee are willing in future to accede to their request, subject to arrangements being made with the Head Master so as not to interfere with the discipline of the school.’’

In speaking to the motion, Mr Hill said he did so because a great number of parents were desirous that religious instruction should be given; and because be had himself signed the Bible in Schools petition. He brought this forward both on account of his own convictions, and out of deference to the wish of many parents. The Secular Act, by which it was forbidden even tousotho very name of God in the schools, was ho considered, the disseminator of free-, thought and communistic ideas ; and it was calculated to undermine Christianity, and if that came about woe betide Groat Britain and her dependencies. Ho had observed that on this subject a reaction was taking place at Homo ; and ho believed denominationalism was

preferable to secular education —for 1 licit was now producing bad results in the shape of larrikinism. He asked the Committee to pay some deference to the wish of the parents.

Mr Stone seconded the motion. He was a warm advocate, and always would be of bible reading. Some persons had said that if the parsons were admitted they would disagree among themselves, but this argument he regarded as a very lame one.

Mr Bruce concurred. Government ho contended ought to foster religion, not to banish it. They might as well do away with the oath in courts of justice. (Mr Gibson—So they should) if they did not allow children to realise the sacredness of the Bible. The government bad better accede to the prayer of the bible in school section than pander to a few.

Mr Gibson said he should not discuss the point, but he would observe that hitherto the Committee had been a happy family. Why at the last moment drag in a bone of contention? Would it not bo better to let the new Committee decide the question ? It ought to be made a test question at the election. For his own part, he looked upon the common school as the one place wherein children of all persuasions might meet in harmony, and he deprecated introducing any element of discord there. He had no antagonistic feeling in regard to Christianity. He was in love with the Christianity of Christ, but ho detested shams. Biblereading in these schools was contrary to the spirit of the Act, which said, leave religion alone! He predicted that the free, secular and compulsory system of education would stand the test of time. The Chairman counselled the Committee to defer the question, but Mr Stone pressed the motion, to test the feeling of the Committee. Mr Jones thought the matter had better be deferred.

The Chairman said if the Ministers had asked for rooms after school hours, he would himself have granted them, but none came.

Mr Leggott said he dissented from denominationalisrn being introduced in a school. There were plenty of means at the command of religious instructors without interfering with the day school. If after the children bad been dismissed to their cricket or football or other sports, some were called in to take a Scripture lesson, would it do them any good ? Besides the teaching of the various ministers was quite different. Mr Gibson—What would you do if the Salvation Army Captain asked leave to give instruction ? (Laughter.) Mr Bruce —Oh, ho is not an ordained minister.

Mr Gibson—Ah ! but they are a power in the land ! The Chairman—l venture to say there are not more than three Timaru ministers who teach in their own Sunday Schools, I would have granted a room on my own responsibility if any of the ministers would come after school hours ; but not one of them ever sought that facility. After some further discussion the motion was put:—Ayes—Messrs Hill, Bruce, and Stone; Noes—Messrs Leggott, Jones, and Gibson. The Chairman voting against it, the motion was lost. ACCOUNTS. Accounts for expenditure as to the Main school, £3 3s 7d, and as to the Side school, £3 10s 6d, were passed for payment. The Committee then adjourned to the 19th inst.