SECONDARY EDUCATION

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1927, Page 10

SECONDARY EDUCATION

WORK OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS. NEW PLYMOUTH BOARD MEETS. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools Board was held last night, when there were present: Messrs. H. R. Billing (chairman), L, ANolan, L. C. Sladden, -1. ‘S. S. Medley, A. E. Washer, E. P. Webster, 11. Dempsey and Dr. E. F. Fookes. Apologies were received from Miss Douglas and Mr. S. G. Smith. Miss D. N. Allen, principal of the girls’ school, reported that the roll num. her stood at 363,.262 being in the upper school, 45 in the technical and 56 in the preparatory department. The attendance had been well maintained. The Shaw, Savill and Albion Company had entertained 30 of the senior girls at a cinema exhibition on the Mataroa. Air. Caradus and Miss Hetherington, inspectors of secondary schools, visited the school early in October and granted senior free places to 60 candidates. As that represented 25 per cent., it was a somewhat higher percentage of passes than had been the case for some years, but the unusual circumstances following on the amalgamation undoubtedly inclined the inspectors towards leniency. The free places for the vocational students were to lie decided in. November. Miss Allen submitted a list showing girls who had passed the practical, written and oral tests in home nursing, the outcome of classes held by Sister Corkill. (The results are published elsewhere.) Sister Corkill had now organised a first aid class to be held after school on Friday afternoons, thus giving to the girls an opportunity to acquire very useful knowledge.

Mr. W. H. Moyes, headmaster of the boys’ school, reported the school had been visited by the secondary school inspectors, Messrs. Parr and Foster, for the. purpose of considering the award of senior free places. Free places were awarded t 0.135 pupils. The new gymnastic apparatus was now installed and was proving satisfactory. In connection with the gymnasium, thanks were due-to members of the Old Boys’ Club who had undertaken to act as instructors until the,senior boys had gained sufficient experience to enable them to act as squad leaders. A start had been made with the excavation work in connection with the proposed swimming baths. It was hoped to have that completed by the cud of the present term. F. L. Davis had been successful in gaining one of the two military scholarships awarded by the New Zealand Government. ; The scholarship entitles the holder to a course of instruction at the Sandhurst Military College. It was decided to send a deputation comprising- the chairman. Air. S. G. Smith and Air. Afoyes to Wellington to discuss matters in connection with the amalgamation. It was reported that tenders amounting to £426 4s lid had been accepted in connection with the furnishing of Scotlands. The board approved a scheme for the laying out of the grounds at Scotlands. These provide for one set of four tennis courts facing north and south and two courts at right angles to them.