BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 19124, 17 December 1923, Page 11

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT. WORK OF THE YEAR. The annual report of the Rector of the Southland Boys’ High School (Mr T. D. Pearce, M.A.) is as follows: THE ROLL ATTENDANCE. “The total enrolment for 1923 was 301. Of these 190 were holders of junior free places, 93 of senior free places, while 18 paid fees. The averages of the three terms were 289, 277, 265, making an average for the year of 277. There were 125 new pupils. At the time of admission, two of these were under 12, 17 under 13, 67 under 14, 30 under 15, 9 under 16 years of ago. 117 of these came direct from the primary schools. Of the 263 boys in school at the end of the year, two were under 13, 31 under 14, 79 under 15, 66 under 16, 37 under 17, 35 under 18, and 13 over 18 years of age. Of the subjects of study, all with an exception here and there, took English, mathematics and science. All except three took French. There were four exemptions from drill. Forty boys took elementary book-keeping. Only 100 took Latin or 38 per cent, of the school. Geometrical drawing was taught to those requiring it. “The results of the annual examinations of last year were as follows: —One Senior and five Junior National Scholarships were won. Three passed the University Entrance Scholarship examination with credit, and 22 gained full or partial pass in Matriculation. Six gained their Senior Free Places by examination, and two passed in groups of the Teachers’ “D” examinations. It Is worthy of mention that in the University Entrance Scholarship examination, Harrington gained the highest marks in New Zealand in mathematics. “The increase in the attendance necessitated the creation of two more classes, one in the first year and one in the second year of attendance. This again necessitated the addition of two class-rooms. Eventually rooms in the school residence were taken with two doors abutting on the school yard. This, while meaning a sacrifice to the rector’s family, has worked very well for the school; so that at the present three classes are held outside of the school building itself, two in the adjacent residence and the third in the old pavilion. By this arrangement the school has been kept within the one vard.

TEACHING STAFF. “Some changes have taken place in the staff. Messrs Deaker and Boxall joined in February and Mr Butchers after Easter. Mr Alexander left at the end of the second term, while Miss W. Pearce relieved for some weeks in the third term. I was sorry to lose the services of Mr Alexander after a sojourn of seven years. His teaching had been so uniformly good that he had been graded “A” by the inspectors of the Department; while his conscientious work in superintendence ad coaching of school cricket and football and athletic sports had done much for these games in Southland. Mr Boxall is leaving at the end of the year for England; he has done a year’s solid work with us. His place is to be taken by Mr K. McDonald, B.A. of Otago University. Mr Cameron won during the year Double First Class Honours in Languages and History—a great achievement for ah extramural student. Early in the year Mr Mawson gained his captaincy by examination; later in the year Mr Cameron did the same, while Mr Page gained ! his first lieutenancy. During the year some promotions were made in the staff. Messrs Flannery and Cameron were promoted to a C position and Messrs Mawson and Anderson to B positions. SCHOOL SPORTS.

“During the first term the weather proved so cold and boisterous that little or no swimming could be indulged in; and, as a consequence, the annual swimming sports were abandoned. The annual athletic sports, however, were favoured with fine weather. They were held on Rugby Park and were highly successful; two long-established records being broken. Fives and tennis continue to be popular. A few enthusiasts keep cricket going under difficulties of the lack of a properly prepared ground. I desire to record my gratitude to Dr. Stanley Brown for his interest in the school team. Football never lacks its players. It is an excellent school game, developing courage, endurance, resource and self control, as well as the physique of the boys. Messrs Mawson, Cameron, Alexander and Deaker have generously devoted time to its fostering. The school fifteen were runners-up in the South Island tournament, being defeated by two points on the call of time. The cadet corps is in a high state of efficiency under Captain Mawson, ably assisted byCaptain Cameron and Lieutenant Page. Tn May last, twenty-nine boys passed various non-commissioned officers’ examinations set by the Defence Department. INSPECTOR’S VISIT. “Inspector Parr visited the school on July 2 and 3 mainly to determine the award of Senior Free Places for 1924. As a result of his visit 49 boys were granted Senior Free Places without further examination. On November 16 Dr. Marsden paid us a brief visit, his first. After looking around the school and being introduced h. the staff, he visited the site of the new school, the foundation stone of which ha > been laid by the Minister of Education on October 20. “It is desirable that parents of pupils resident in and west of Thornbury and on the Thornbury-Nightcaps line should be told of the altered conditions of travel by rail. In 1924 Junior Free Place holders from these districts will require to pay rail fare amounting to 12/6 per term, or less than a shilling a week; but boys who have won a Senior Free Place and are preparing for matriculation or an equivalent, examination will be able to receive free season tickets. THANKS FOR PRIZES.

“I desire to record my thanks to various donors of prizes:—To the Old Boys of 1915 for the Dux Medal of the year; to Mr John Rigg for the prize for the best cadet; to Mrs George Watson for her customary donation; to Mr B. C. Galloway and to Mr William D. Burn for medals for gymnastics; to Dr. G. L. Deschler of New York for the presentation of a handsome challenge cup for general improvement; and to the governors of the school for donations to the prize fund. For athletic sports I was delighted to receive prizes from three old boys of the school, Messrs George Munro, Clarence Dickens and W r alter Bews. The old boys resident in Auckland have renewed their handsome donation for a trophy for the best boy in school games and sports. I thank them for their kindly and generous remembrance of their ‘Alma Mater.’ DISTINCTIONS WON.

“The following distinctions were won during 1923:—F. C. Lopdell, M.A. with

second class honours; H. O. Jefcoate, M.A. with second class honours; N. Millard, M. with first class honours; O. A. B. Smith, L.L.8.; J, L. Cameron, M.A. with double first class honours; Phil Wild, Bachelor of Commerce and Assistant Treasurer, Samoa; Hugh R. Fraser and Arthur Ford, Bachelors Dental Science; Dr. G. Kingston, Dunedin Hospital staff; Dr. A. Brass, Waikato Hospital staff; Dr. Jas. Thompson, Timaru Hospital staff; M. Alexander, M.Sc., Mathematics Master, Napier; Thos Burt, Thos. Preston, Ced Smith and Chas. Thompson are now licensed surveyors; H. D. Morgan, Otago Amateur Athletic Sports Champion and member of N.Z. Rugby Fifteen; E. H. Diack, member of N. University Fifteen; Ray Bell, member of N.Z. Rugby Fifteen; T. Meredith, president Southland Rugby Union; J. O. Sanders and J. C. Prain, admitted as solicitors; H. J. Hiskens and R. F. Dodds, admitted as chemists.