CHURCH SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1934, Page 5

CHURCH SCHOOLS

PRESBYTERIAN INSTITUTIONS. GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S REVIEW. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last ight. Miss C. M. Ashworth, principal of Columbia Girls’ College, addressed the Presbyterian General Assembly on the educative ideals of the church school and said that the opportunity in such schools was greater than in others. Mr. R. G. McNab, principal of John McGlashan College, spoke of the distraction which anxiety regarding roll num. bers caused private schools will depend on an appeal to the affection for the old institution of fathers to send their sons and daughters to the schools they attended. The Presbyterian Church schools were too young to benefit in this way. Distinguished athletic and scholastic traditions would come into play and help to increase the numbers of scholars in the future.

Mr. McNab said no snobbery existed in the church schools. It could not come into play. Careful religious instruction was given. One of the most interesting and inspiring services was the evening service conducted by the principal of the school. It was a pity that the chapel had not been made part of the original plans of the schools. The ideal roll number for the school was 250 and the fact that church schools were not big was a power for good. The Old Boys’ Association had a great affection for the school and this was a fine testimony. Mr. McNab gave an analysis of the sixth form of 1929, showing that every one of the boys was taking a place of distinction in the community and in scholarship.

Speaking to the report of the board of education, Mr. A. C. W. Standage said the roll numbers of schools was increasing. In one case the increase was 60 per cent. He paid a tribute to the loyalty of staffs in the years of the depression when under great difficulties they had cheerfully acepted decreased salaries. Mr. Standage paid a compliment to the parents of scholars and to members of the church who had by gifts and in other ways helped to keep the schools at work. The report of Knox College Council expressed deep regret at the death, of Mrs. Hewitson, who had given inestimable help to her husband, the first master of the college. Regret was expressed that several students for the ministry had been unable to reside in the college owing to the financial stringency. Fees were kept as moderate as was possible consistent with all the conditions involved. A motion to make the council of Knox College an incorporated body was opposed by Mr. A. D. Thomson on the ground that to do so would place the church in the position of having no power to gain information about its property and the endowments of a church institution. The church property trustees should be the trustees of the property. On a vote being taken the assembly decided to allow incorporation. A closing motion following the above caused a gust of laughter. It was to commend the college to the prayers of the church. A re-arrangement of the motions avoided the humour of the situation.