VOCATIONAL WORK AT HIGH SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 24598, 21 November 1941, Page 7

VOCATIONAL WORK AT HIGH SCHOOLS

MEETING OF BOARD Vocational guidance work on the lines generally followed in other centres has begun at the Southland Girls’ High School, according to the report of the Lady Principal (Miss M. W. May), which was presented at a meeting of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools Board yesterday. Mr W. Bell presided. The girls had been addressed on the prospects in the different careers open to them and details had been obtained from Invercargill firms about the conditions in the various avenues of employment, said the report. In this work there was close co-operation with th? Boys’ High School and the Southland Technical College, and the principals of the three secondary schools had signed a letter to the headmasters of the primary schools asking permission for the careers teachers to speak to the children of Form II about the value of secondary education and the avenues open to them. Since the last report, said the principal, three girls had left the school and the roll now stood at 260. At the national fitness rally on November 8, girls of tlie school had formed the word “victory” and the results of the training given by the physical instructor (Mr J. Page) called forth the most favourable comment, said the report. Members of the board also praised Mr Page for the training he had given. “At the request of the placement officer, I have submitted to him the names of those boys who are prepared to take up seasonal work on farms,” said the rector of the Southland Boys’ High School (Dr G. H. Uttley) in his report. Altogether 12 names had been forwarded. About 90 boys had made private arrangements for employment during the holidays and 40 of these would be doing farm work. Requests had been received by the rector for boys for fruit picking and 12 boys would probably apply for leave before the end of the year. NEW BATHS FOR SCHOOL Plans and estimates had been submitted for a school swimming pool, said the report. A considerable amount, perhaps all, of the labour could be done by the boys. A master would oversee the work if there could be general supervision of the whole scheme by an expert. Two vacancies had occurred in the staff and these had not been filled as there was a great dearth of relieving teachers. However, the remainder of the staff could meet teh situation until the end of the year. Since the beginning of the year 37 boys had left the school. The board signified its approval of the erection of the baths and it was decided that the chairman and Mr E. H. Smith and the secretary (Mr H. T. Thompson) go into the matter and prepare a report for the next board meeting. The baths, which will be a learning pool, will be 75 feet by 40 feet. A grounds and building committee was appointed and the members consist of Messrs Smith, W. H. Gregory and H. Ritchie.