Educational Institutions.

Thames Star, Volume XLV, Issue 10631, 3 February 1909, Page 4

Educational Institutions.

THE THAMES HIGH SCHOOL

INBFJEJOTOiR'S SATISFACTORY

REPORT

The following, satisfactory report on the Thames Hi^h School, by Mr

T. H. Gill, Inspector of Schools, and dated Eduoational Diepartnamt, Wellington,' lltih, December, has bee;i forwarded: —

The course of instruction, consisting of English, French, Latin, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, chemistry, book-keeping, cookery, and .needlework (for the girls) and woodwork (for the junior boys), is arranged m meet the requirements of the Civil Service Junior Matriculation examinations, and for preparing boys for entering* om a course at the Thames School of Mines. All of the pupils, with one exception, take a full programme of work, but the principal intends next ye&v to limit the programme in languages, ' by , making English and French compulsory por first year pupils ' and toy introducing Laitini into the citrriculrni in the second year, but to C ;-:& pupils only whose progress and capability show that they could profitably undertake, two languages mi addition to the

mother tongue. This modificiation of the programme would b* a, step in the right direction, as it is very cvi-

dent that "a very large proportion of the pupils are far too heavily ■weighted in 'attempting to learn at the samo time two foreign, languages. French s much more readily acquired' than and th:e average pupil h"is quite 1 enough to do hi: gaining pro•ficiency in one language other thau Ijnglish in addition, to the other subjects of a High' School curriculum. He proposes also to introduce a definite course of instruction in domestic science for the .girls of his school. The importance of this branch of : education can scarcely be oiver-raited. I am quite satisfied that' if the proSrainmie is modified in the directions

indicated^ the results will justify the contemiiplated change. The time-tables havei been carefully constructed, both in. regard to' the proper rotation of subjects and to a due proportion of time to- each.

The principal (Mr Winter) is assisted fry Mr Rl J. Thompson, B?A'., and Miss" ML 1?. Foy, A.'A. The Principal teia-ches the .senior division, consisting of 2(4 pupils, in, their second and third velars, and also teaches the intermediate and junior divisions from -time to time. Mr Thompson, teaches the intermediate division, consisting ■of 22 pupils, ■and is responsible also , for the algebra, and a portion of the I Elngli&h of the senior division. Miss Foy teaches the junior division; of '20 pupils. This organisation appears to i work well.

The work of thei school is carried on in. three large, well-ventilated, satisfactorily lighted class rooms, furnished with an, ample supply of dual desks'. In addition there is a dieiniml laboratory fairly well equip ped, in which individual laboratory work is done by the. pupils every week. On the occasion of my visit. the boys and girls of tihie senior division showed' that they had aim intelligent knowledge- of thei ©laments <"f chemistry, and a satisfactory degree of skill in manipulating chemical ap : para'tus amd material. The methods of instruction were, in general, quite satisfactory. French is very well 'taught, the modern method being almost exclusively followed-. Aj very extensive programme is covered for a two* amd ai, thr-e years 'course respectively, and, judging from, my own observation, as- well 'as. from tihie results of my examination. I am satisfied that the subject is thoroughly taught. In, geometry, | too, the value of practical work is recognised aa a very valuable complement to the theoretical proof. TH«i pupils are classified as follows : Senior free places 4; junior free places 2o in their first year, 24 in', their second year; paying pupils, 13L

The order aiud attention -were high- | ly satisfactory, and there was a, really good tone. Tlie efforts of the teachers were appreciated br>- the pupib, who gave a ready response to theteacher's' wishes. Mental training is represented by chemistry for all pupils, woodwork for the junior boys, amd cookery and neeicfawork fo>r the girls. These subjects flire under the mianual and technical regulations, the first- mentioned 'being taught in the ciliemioal laboratory attached to the High School,* the remaining subjects in the Thames Techm.ior'.l School. Satisfactory .provision is mad© for the physical insttfuction of the pupils. There is no gymnasium 1 connected with the school, but five minutes breathrnig, exercises are taken daily. There' is" am efficient cadet company drilled by the sergeant-major of the district. The Principal is th© captiain, and Mr Thompson is first lieuteniant. The usuial school games are played, to encouirage which the Board of Governors has laid down a tennis court in asphlalt.