CONTINUED PROGRESS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4560, 15 April 1942, Page 4

CONTINUED PROGRESS

THE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL HEALTHY, VIGOROUS TONE HEADMASTER’S REPORT The annual report of the Headmaster of the Te Awamutu District High School (Mr W. G. S. Smith) jp as follows: “In spite of difficult circumstances, the past year has been one of continued progress. Apparently this district is standing up to the strain of v the times wonderfully well, and the schools reflect a healthy, vigorous tone. Approximately half our school population is carried by bus, and town and country are both advancing steadily. The rolls in both intermediate and secondary departments have increased by about 40 per cent on the opening numbers, and there is every indication that this increase will be continued for some time, as the school builds up from the lower • classes. PUPILS DO WELL “Academically, pupils of the school have done well in both public and school examinations, and all have received a good, broad, useful and cultural education. We have endeavoured to meet the needs of every child, and though some interests are necessarily subordinated to the general weal, most demands have been satisfied. It is rather difficult at times to arrange a curriculum that will be suitable both for pupils staying only one or two years in the secondary department and for pupils who are prepared, and fortunate enough to be able to take, the full four years; but the compromise now arrived at seems to be working fairly well. HEALTHFUL SPORT “On the playing fields the school has had many successes, but what is much more important, a great deal of interesting, healthful and enjoyable sport. Every pupil has an opportunity of engaging in the exercise which appeals most, and expert coaching is available. We are stressing the mental and moral side of games and hope to produce boys and girls to whom ‘the game’s the thing.’ We have co-operated fully during the year with the revived Swimming Club, and are pleased to have had some share in helping this valuable pastime to score a great success. We have received help from the Club in return, and our own swimming is greatly improved. SCHOOL GROUNDS “Grounds show steady progress along the lines of our long-range programme, but, for the moment, great disappointment is felt at the noncompletion of the first area, which we hoped would be ready for play this season. SCHOOL BUS SERVICE “The . bus service, carrying nearly 600 children a day, has worked remarkably well. Just as all children do not live near a school, some do not live near a bus route, and inevitably there are cases of hardship. We do whatever we can to help in every case, and Messrs Hodgson Motors and the teacher-drivers are to be congratulated on the record of the year’s running. “BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS” “I should like to thank all who have been associated with me in the control of the school—committee, parents, teachers, and friends for wholehearted and generous co-operation throughout the year. Undoubtedly, hard times are ahead, but mutual helpfulness will see us through. There is no need for US only to ‘mark time.’ The school must go on to bigger and better things, and I feel sure we shall achieve them. A TRIBUTE “Finally, a word of regret for the passing of our friend, Mr G. B. Melrose. His name will always be in the school, and in the memory of those who care for the happiness and welfare of the children in our schools.”