HIGH SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 21561, 26 November 1931, Page 9

HIGH SCHOOLS

MEETING OF BOARD. A meeting of the Southland Boys’ and 'Girls’ High -1 Schools Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present: The chairman, Mr R. M. Strang, his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller), and Messrs J. T. Carswell, F. G. Stevenson and J. Gilkison. The chairman reported that the department was not in favour of both schools being placed under the control of one principal. The correspondence relating to the matter was received. The question of the accommodation of pupils was discussed and the arrangement made at last meeting to accommodate the girls at Mansfield House was agreed to. The Lady Principal (Miss M. Samuel) reported that a great many pupils had been absent, in most cases for two or three days only, on account of influenza. A most enjoyable performance had been given on November 13 by Mr Ronald Chamberlain, the Trinity College examiner, in the school hall. The school tennis teams visited Gore on November 16, where, after close contests, the home teams secured a win. An exhibition of the work done by the art and dressmaking classes was proposed for the last week of the term. A similar exhibition had been given last year and had proved of great interest to parents and others interested in the work of the school. Referring to the annual break-up the report stated that it was the wish of the staff and pupils that the function should be held in the girls’ school on the afternoon of December 11. “Although the school hall does not provide great accommodation for visitors,” Miss Samuel reported, “I should myself prefer to hold the function there, particularly since it must also be my leave-taking of the staff and pupils.” Continuing, the report stated that the wireless should be removed from the hostel to the school. The entertainment provided had been much appreciated by the girls, and if the radio were removed to the school all of the girls could enjoy it. The report was received, the removal of the wireless being held over. The Rector of the Boys’ High School (Dr G. H. Uttley) reported that the roll number of the school was 313. The annual athletic sports were held on November 18 and seven records were broken and two equalled. Extra shelving would be required for the library books next year, and the board was asked to approve the architect's plans for the fitting of shelves. The Rector suggested that the break-up ceremony should take the same form as last year. Mr G. S. Cox, an old boy of the school, had been chosen as a Rhodes scholar for 1931, and it was the intention of the school to farewell him at a function to be held in the school hall on Monday, November 30. The report was received, it being agreed that the break-up ceremonies could be held separately at the two schools as suggested by the Rector and the Lady Principal. The question of the appointment of a Lady Principal for the girls’ school was considered and a sub-committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Carswell and Stevenson was appointed to consider testimonials and report to a special meeting of the board.