BIG INCREASE IN PUPILS

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 15

BIG INCREASE IN PUPILS

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL ROLL SATISFACTORY RESULTS OF EXAMINATIONS An increase of 38 in the roll number of the Southland Girls’ High School this year has the effect of moving the school two grades higher, according to the monthly report of the principal (Miss A. Eastwood) which was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High School Board. The roll number it was stated, was 300 this year, 95 new pupils having been enrolled. This figure was an increase of 38 on the roll number on April 14, 1937, the date fixed by the Education Department for classification purposes. This meant that the school went up two grades and one more enrolment would put it a further .grade higher. “The results of the December, examinations are quite satisfactory,” the .report stated. “Twenty-eight girls entered for the matriculation examination and 21 were successful. Thirty-one entered for the school certificate examination; 20 gained a full pass, four gained a partial pass and one completed the examination. Ten girls entered for the training college entrance examination; eight gained a full pass and two obtained a partial pass. Four girls entered for the Pitman’s shorthand examination. Three passed, one taking a speed of 110 words a minute, another 80 words and the third 50 words.

“A successful High School Girl Guides’ camp was held during the first week of the Christmas holidays at Stewart Island, 29 girls with two mistresses and two other guide officers taking part The school appreciates the practical help given and hospitality shown by residents of the island.” The report was adopted. A special committee was appointed to go into the question of grounds., buildings and such like at the girls’ school and report to a special meeting of the board at an early datey REPORT OF BOYS’ SCHOOL The report of the rector of the boys’ school (Dr G. H. Uttley) stated that the roll number was 323, the school remaining in the same grade as the previous year. “The examination results this year have been excellent, particularly in the university entrance examinations,” the report stated. “J. W. McChesney obtained a university scholarship and N. F. Gilkison and D. W. Crowley passed the examination with credit. The latter two qualified for university bursaries. These were the only candidates offered for this examination. In the university entrance examination (matriculation), out of 56 boys who entered, 42 boys passed—an average of 75 per cent—au exceptionally good result when compared with past years and with results achieved by other schools. Fifty candidates entered for the school leaving certificate (matriculation standard), 38 gaining full passes and seven partial passes. Two of the four candidates in the training college entrance examination obtained full passes and two gained partial passes. Eleven of the> 17 entrants’ in the public service entrance examination passed. “Many of the boys who were successful in these examinations have been placed in excellent positions, with bright prospects ahead of them. There is no doubt that if boys can stay three or four years at this school and qualify they get an excellent start in life. The successful candidates of last year’s examinations are being rapidly absorbed into the civil service, banks, insurance and mercantile firms or the professions, as well as engineering pursuits. “The whole school has been 'in barracks’ during the past week (February 8 to February 14) under Major H. W. Slater, and the boys have benefited both physically and educationally from the very interesting course of instruction that has been carried out. Both staff and boys entered whoelheartedly into the work and we are grateful for the assistance received from the military authorities in making the barracks of 1938 so successful.”

There were present: Messrs R. M. Strang (chairman), J. T. Carswell, _F. G. Stevenson, W. Bell and H. Ritchie, Mrs J. N. Armour and the secretary (Mr H. T. Thompson).