HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 23229, 18 June 1937, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD

ANNUAL REPORT CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED At the annual meeting of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools Board yesterday, Messrs R. M. Strang (chairman), W. Bell, F. G. Stevenson, J. T. Carswell and Mrs J. N. Armour were present. Mr R. M. Strang was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Tire annual report of the board of governors for the year ending December 31, 1936, was considered. During the year there were several changes in the staff of the boys’ school, said the report. Mr R. D. Thompson, M.Sc., resigned and Mr F. Haworth, M.A., and Mr E. R. Chesterman, 8.A., were appointed. The enrolments for the year totalled 342. Of this number, 193 were holders of junior free places, 146 of senior free places and three were paying pupils. Successes of pupils and old boys in the scholastic world were referred to, the prominence of several boys in athletics, also being mentioned. The activities of the school in out-of-door games were commented upon. There had been a marked increase in the popularity of the school library, 300 new books having being placed on the shelves as against 250 withdrawn, the number of books in the library being 5000. In addition, some hundreds of magazines had been placed on the tables. The library had been greatly improved by the provision of shelving, chairs and pictures. It was an indispensable aid to the work of the classroom as well as to the extra-mural interests of the boys. During recent years the curriculum had been greatly extended to meet the needs of boys who did not intend to enter the university. In addition to the stock subjects of a secondary school, agricultural, accountancy and commercial courses had been established. Woodwork was added during the present year and next year it was hoped to add metal-work and elementary engineering. Public-speaking, drama work and singing still formed an important part of the school programme. The library is now used as a valuable adjunct of the class-work of the school. Several changes in the staff at the girls’ school were made, Miss E. E. Earwaker, M.A., Miss E. M. Gonley, Dip.H.Sc., resigning and Misses A. J. Page, M.A., C. M. M. Miller, M.A., M. M. Durward, M.A., and M. G. Owen, Dip.H.Sc., being appointed to the staff. In addition, Misses L. M. Smith, M.A., and R. Orlowski, M-A., acted for a period in a relieving capacity. The enrolment for the year was 265, of whom 95 were senior free place pupils, and 170 junior free place pupils. School activities during the year were summarized in the report. The total income from endowments for the year amounted to £2628 9/2, this amount being made up of £2244 6/11 from the board’s reserves and £384 2/3 as the board’s share of the revenue from secondary educatior reserves administered by the Lands Board. The endowment income showed an increase of £358 0/6 on the amount received for 1935. A further reduction of £669 2/10 was made in the Boys’ School Building Loan, leaving the amount still owing at £14,825 4/1. The sum of £B5O was paid towards die purchase price of the hostel buildings. This made a total payment of £2750 towards the purchase price of £3500. The balance of the general account at the beginning of the year was £330 5/9 and at the end of the year £251 17/8. The incidental grant was £1293 18/5 and the total payments from this allowance £1221 9/4, being £682 6/8 on account of the boys’ school and £539 2/8 on account of the girls’ school.