STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1924, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL. THE BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Dec. 16. The annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with the Stratford Technical High School took place in the Town Hall to-night in the present of the pupils an< a large number of parents and friends. Associated with the director (Mr. A. H. R. Amess) and members of the staff on the stage, were the Assistant Director of Education (Dr. Marsden), the chairman of the board of managers (Mr. H. Trimble), members of the board and Sir Walter and Lady Carn cross.

“In presenting the annual report for the year 1924, 1 am pleased to be able to record the greatest achievement the school has yet shown in practically every department of its activity,” said Mr. A. H. R. Amess.

The report stated: Th? year opened with a record roll number of 283. Of these 163 were carried on from the previous years, and 120 were newly enrolled. The number returning for a third year’s' work made it possible for me to arrange two fifth forms eo that the third year pupils were 'better graded than they had hitherto been. The new entrants were well distributed through the various courses, and it is satisfactory to note that the agricultural science and home science courses are now numerically the strongest courses in the school. Both these courses can be used for matriculation, and until the department takes measures to modify the general trend of secondary school work by some examination reform, it seems desirable that this should be so.

At the beginning of the year we welcomed to the school the following teachers: Mr. C. J. Hickson, who came to us from Auckland to take charge of the commercial work; Miss K. E. Ewing, B.Sc., who has strengthened the science and mathematics departments; Miss E. Leech, 8.A., who is an old pupil of the district high school and returns as a teacher of English, mathematics and French. Two of these appointments were necessary owing to the increased roll number, making a staff of eleven. It will thus be seen that during the three years the new school has been opened, the roll number and the staff have been doubled. EXAMINATION RESULTS. The examination results for the year have -been very satisfactory. Since last prize-giving Molly McCluggage has been awarded a bursary in home science, and William Cottier has been awarded a bursary in agriculture. Both of these pupils have spent one year at the uni versity, where they have won greater honours. f ourteen obtained passes or partial passes in matriculation. Six have passed the public service examina lion. Fifty-two have obtained senior free places. Eight pupils have obtained passes or partial passes i.i the teachers’ •‘C” or “L>” examination last August. Twenty-nine pupils have qualified foi the first aid certificate of the St. John Ambulance Association. In connection with this item I should like to thank Dr. Steven, who generously undertook the conduct of the class.

On the athletic side I am pleased to be able to report a successful year. The games, which form so large a part in the development of the boy and girl, have been played keenly and with good spirit. The cricket eleven last eurnmei gave a good account of themselves and were third in the district competition. This summer the team is not so strong and will do so well. In the winter games all the teams did veiy well indeed. The football fifteen played in the third grade comlpetition and we ; e second only to the Stratford thirds in the centra* division. The girls won the championship of the Taranaki ladies’ hockey com petition and retained the shield for a second year. The basketball team went through the season with one defeat. We paid a return visit to Feilding, taking with us football, hockey and basketball teams, and in each case we were successful. SPORTS GATHERINGS.

The athletic sports were held in the third term. The number of entries necessitated the running cf preliminary heats before sports day. This practice has the effect of providing organised exercise between the winter and summer games, and also making the sports day more interesting for visitors. The .various events were- well contested and good times and distances were recorded in the running and field events. The championships were won as follows: Senior girls’ championship, Rene Gibb, 13 points; senior boys’ championship, R. Nutting, 25 points; junior girls’ championship, B. Watkins, 19 points; junior boys’ championship, J. Boon, 31 points. We have to thank the Old Pupils’ Association for the gift of a very handsome silver cup for the senior boys’ championship. This cup is publicly presented for the first time to-night. Mr. Trimble also donated a silver cup, Which was presented to the winner of the mile open handicap. Every boy in the school thus has a chance of ‘holding the cup and lias to show some grit and endurance to win the honour of holding it for a year. The event was one of the best contested during the sports meeting and the winner this year was Lindop. I take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Trimble for the interest he has shown in all the activities of the school. The steeplechase Was I - eld as usual at the close of the football season. Forty-six boys took part in the race, which was run over country, the course being the same as last year. A new record for the distance was established and W. Allen hokls the Robert Masters Cup for the year. Allen also won the prize for fastest time. The cadets under the command of H. C. Johnson, have continued to improve in efficiency. The shooting has shown imp'-ovement and this year 33 boys have obtained their marksmen’s badges.

THREE YEAR'S OF PROGRESS. At the A. and P. show the pupils who competed in the various sections were very successful, and the exhibits of woodwork, metalwork, cooking and art work reflected credit on the teachers who had charge of the classes. I think next year a parents’ day might -be held at the school, when the parents miglit see the classes at work and thus come into close touch with the aims of the school. If the parents would be .sufficiently interested to take the matter up, this would be an improvement on showing merely the result of the work. At the show also 120 pupils competed in the cow-judging competition, and both metaphorically and literally had the field to themselves -as there w.ere no other competitors. This year the gold medal presented for competition by the Jersey Breeders’ Association was won by Queenie Gernhoefer, and will be presented to-night. While on this subject, I should like to thank Mr. Frank Ranford for the help he has given the school in demonstrating on dairy cows. All this activity, both in school and out of it, makes the school a community of its own. In it-the boys and girls can learn to take some of the first steps in that education ■ which for the wisest men, extends through life. Those who give most of themselves in the school community reap the richest harvest. Those who seek will find treasures in the vast literature of our mother tongue, they will find exactitude of thought and action in the science and applied classes. They will find comradeship and the pure gold of service for others in the manjr outside activities of the school. The school has made heatlway during the past three years. We have been laying a foundation on which, in the future, I hope to see a super-structure raised which will be its own memorial to this town and district.

I regret to say that Miss Ewing is leaving us at the close of this term. She has spent only one year, but will be missed in the school, especially in Form 111 A. As she is leaving to be married we take the opportunity of wishing her every happiness in her future life. In conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Trimble for his many services and the members of the board who have helped me to carry forward the work of the school. I wish to express my appreciation of the loyal support of the staff, because 1 realise that the strength of a school lies not in one member of the staff but ir. the organised unity of the whole. To the boys and girls who are leaving I would say, “'C’airy out your work in the world with as great an energy and earnestness as you showed in the playing fields of the •school.” The boys and girls who will return next year I hope will have a happy holiday and a prosperous New Year. MOULDING CHARACTER. Mr. Trimble congratulated the school on the work of the past year and referred to the successes of both boys and girls in sports. He stressed the important influence of modern educational methods in moulding a scholar’s tharactc’-, and suggested that the mere acquisition of knowledge was not the only reason for which parents sent thenr children to school.

Dr. Marsden said that, compared with other schools of a similar nature, the returns of the Strafford Technical High School constituted a record that did credit not only to the school, but to the town and district as well. In fact, he gsserted that the school compared more than favourably with any school* of which he knew. His speech centred round four essentials which tended to influence the future cireers of the pupils. These factors were health, habits of industry, development of intellect anki ability bo work happily with one's fellows.

After reviewing the popular vocations for children on leaving school, lie said it was the duty of parents and teachers to find out the natural aptitude of their children for .any particular occupation. This was to be one of-the functions ot junior high echooh, where facilities would 'be provided for the children to explore the avenues of various occupations. In conclusion, he asked the boys and girls who were leaving to stick to their' old school by taking an interest in /he Old Pupils’ Association. THE PRIZE LIST. Prizes were presented by Dr. Marsden as follows: Dux of the school.—Queenie Gernhoefer. Sixth form.—R. Irwin, English, Latin and French; W. B. Yeates, ecience; Isabel Peebles, progress. Upper fifth,.—'Clare McKenny, English, home science; B. Martin, Latin, science; Mai<sie McCluggage, mathematics; E. Bone, French and Latin; Eileen Geever, home science, French; S. Marx, agriculture; E. Alger, English and science; R. Young, science; J. Harkness, science; Edna Flavin, progress. Lower fifth. —Rona Haylock, sience, arithmetic; Marion Mcluggage, algebra; Erica Carrye r, home science, mathematics; Doris Callaghan, French, geometry; Moya. McKenny, English and home science; G. Sullivan, agriculture.

Form IV A. —Iris Tarrant, mathematics, Latin, science and English; M. Ford, English, agriculture and science; F. Miskelly, agriculture; Geraldine Syme Latin; J. Boon, geometry, drawing; Trixie McCluggage, progress; May Manley, progress. Form IV B. —H. Fulcher, English, mathematics, French, dairy science; E. Corlett, science, drawing; C. Davis, science, drawing; Rene Mounsey, home science; Beryl Egarr, English, home s'cience; W. McWilliam, progress; Marjorie Armstrong, progress.

Form IV .C. —Zoe Masters, English, commercial work, French • Betty Copping, drawing, arithmetic, home science; Jean Bremner, English; W. Dick, mathematics, history; L. Coldwc.ll, commercial work, geography; Marjorie Elgar, mathematics, home science.

Form 111 A. —L. Hill, Latin, French, science; L. Manning, English, geometry, arithmetic and dairy science; Helen McAllister, home ficience, French; Margaret Gill, home science, ]>atin, algebra; Ruth Reeve, progress: T. Wollaston, progress; C. Walker, progress; W. Aubrey,

progress, E. Wright, progress, T. Hickson, progress. Form 111 B—Lilian Coombridge, French, home science, algebra and dairy science; Edna Fulcher, English, French; B. Grubb, arithmetic, history: Ngaere Burgess, cooking and drawing; E. Cold well, drawing; Ja'ckson Brown, 'book -keeping; Annie Slater, progress, L. Harrison, progress; Fanny Taylor, progress, R. Vincent, progress. Form 111 C.—Millie Lougbottom, English, algebra; Margaret Dwyer, commercial work, algebra; F. Hall agriculture, drawing, history; R. Beadle, French, science; Muriel Boyle, English, French; Eileen Michelson, commercial work; A. Penhall, progress; Kathie Dixon, progress; Emily Lawson, progress; John Kilpatrick, .progress. Special prizes.—Mrs. Hardy-Jones’ prize for art:. Doris W’ilson. - Miss Finn's prize for music: Jean Preo. Mrs. Gow’s prize for progress.—J. Kilpatrick. Miss Ewing’s prizes: Cooking, Mavis Johnson. Art, Rene Crofts. 'Head prefect's prize: A. Thomas, Queenie Gernhoefer. Prizes given by Scottish Society for essay work: — Upper. —E. Bone 1, R. Irwin 2. Intermediate. —Jean Stewart 1, Margaret Nicholls 2. Lower. —Millie Longbotiom 1, L. Hill 2.

Athletic prizes and prizes won at the A. and P. show were .also distributed. The Lady Godley Cup for territorials was presented to A. Thomas, and the prize to the winner of the invitation race at the- Hawera sports to —. Knuckey. Mr. P. Aitken (chieftain) presented the prizes for the Scotch essays on behalf of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society. He also donated a copy of the works of Robert 'Burns to Mr. Amess for the school library. Afterwards the members of th° staff were the guests of Mr. Trimble at supper. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. THE QUESTION OF PRIZES.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held last night. Present: Mesdames McAllister and Tichbon, Messrs W. Pinhey (chairman), A. Ferguson. C. M. Young, J. McKee, H. A. Hunt and Rev. J. W. McKenzie.

The headmaster (Mr. L. J. Furrie) reported that the attendance was practically normal, but it wquld be necessary to make application for exemption for the current quarter’s attendance. The annual examinations were held recently, and though epidemics had retarded some pupils, good progress was made by most classes. Thanks were due to the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society for the donation of prizes for essays on Scottish subjects. Arrangements for the sports on Thursday were well in hand. There would be about fifty events for the bigger children, besides races for infants .ind junior and senior championships. The annual broak-ing-up ceremony would be held on Friday morning. Pupils of the school had been highly successful f t the recent Stratford A. and P. show. The report of the visiting committee was received. It was agreed to re-asphalt the piece of ground between tne schools with the help of a working bee, Mr. Furrie stating that as the school’s exhibition of work had had to be abandoned, the sum of £1 15s collected for that purpose could, with the subsidy, be spent on the tarring.

Messrs Young and McKee were appointed the visiting committee for the coming month. Mr. Young reported on the conference in connection with school prizes recently held at New Plymouth, and with the support of Mrs. McAllister, the Rev. McKenzie and Mr. McKee, advocated the committee rescinding its previous resolution.

The chairman refused to accept a motion to this effect, pointing out that the matter must be subject to a notice of motion.

Mr. Young protested that there was not time for such procedure, and asked that his protest against the abandoning of prizes in favour of sports be recorded on the minutes.

The chairman ruled that as there was nothing before the meeting Mr. Young’-s protest could not be noticed. The matter was then dropped. The Education Board advised that an insurance policy of £'2s had been taken out on the school piano, and of £25 on the school library. It was reported that the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) had consented to make the presentation to Miss Papps and Mr. F. Tyrer had also agreed to make some remarks.

Mr. J. McKee reported that all necessary material was now at the baths for all the work which required to be done. If half a dozen men formed a working bee they could complete the work in about a day. Mr. J. H. Thompson (president of the Old Pupils’ Association) applied for permission to hold a swimming carnival in the school baths. The programme would include a good selection of events for primary and high school students, as well as adults. It would be an afternoon carnival, and

would be held some time in February. Later, the association would probably hold an evening carnival. The chairman moved that the association be granted the use of the bath, provided the bath was in proper repair at the time. Mr. McKee seconded, and the motion was carried. TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOLS. THEIR FUNCTION IN EDUCATION. FINANCIAL HANDICAP. “A matter engaging public attention on the part of ■educationists is the future of secondary education in this country,” said Mr. A. H. R. Amess (director of the Stratford Technical .High School in the course of his annual report at the breaking-nip ceremony to-night. “That there is over-lapping in some towns between the technical and high schools is obvious, and the establishment of the technical high school was intende4 to provide both types of secondary education.

•‘lt is now objected that the technical high school varies very little from the secondary school. There are two reasons for this. In the -first place the schools are bound to work towards matriculation, and the matriculation examination is very limited in scope. I can see no reason why the Department of Education should not conduct its own examination for leaving certificates. This examination couid admit to all the avenues of employment of which the matriculation examination is now the doorway, .and those pupils who actually wish to proceed to the university could be examined by the unversity. It would be useless for a single school to set up vocational courses which would' have very little public recognition. These courses might suffer because there is no standard df achievement set and the pupils might find that they had entered a course which leads nowhere.

“The second limiting fact in the development of the vocational side of the technical high, school is the difficulty in getting the department to advance sufficient capital to provide the necessary equipment. The board has this year endeavoured to get the department to approve sums for the development of the agricultural science work of the school, and to improve the handcraft department. In both cases we have as yet been unsuccessful. The school is then very little different from the high school proper. In a district such as Stratford it is essential that the general course should be a strbng one, and on the vocational side we claim that a technical high school has the advantage of a stronger staff to c;..rry out this special work.”

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. A pleasant function took place at the assembly hall at the Stratford Technical High School this morning, when Miss A. Ewing, home science mistress, who is leaving to be married, was presented with a pyrex casserole in a silver container from the pupils of the school, and a beautiful Doulton cake dish with a silver handle from Form 111 A. In making the presentation, the director (Mr. A. H. R. Amess) made appreciative reference to the work and personality of Miss Ewing, and regretted that her stay with them was not to continue for another year. A happy picnic party of 40 pupils of the Convent Sacred Heart High School, Stratford, left for Opunake beach this morning per motor lorry, the Mother Superior and two sisters accompanying them.

“In view of the fact that some discussion has arisen about the period spent by pupils in secondary schools, an analysis of the figures in the case of the Stratford Technical High School is interesting. At the beginning of tfie year, out of our total roll number of 283, 72, or 25 per cent were in their third or fourth, year. In February there were 120 pupils enrolled, and in December 112 of these pupils were still in attendance at the school. These figures show that the school is able to carry the pupils along to a standard of education worth achieving and that the money expended on secondary education is not being wasted. Comparatively few of those enrolled have failed to complete the year’s work, but I should like to emphasise the fact here that it is not fail- to the department for parents to enrol pupils and then to allow them to cease work except under some extraordinary circumstances.” These remarks were made by Mr. A. H. <R. Amess, director of the Stratford Technical High School in the course o'f his annual report at the breaking-up ceremony tonight.