SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6015, 25 August 1887, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Papanui.

A meeting of the above Committee was held in the district school yesterday ; present — Messrs Anderson (Chairman), Leversedge, Clarkson, Godfrey, and Gainsford. After aome routine business had been disposed of, the Chairman laid before the meeting the Inspector's report, which was considered very satisfactory. It read as follows :—

The results of examination justify a very favourable estimate of the school. Its present condition, is good, and such weakness as has been disclosed does not appear likely to pro ye a permanent feature. Standards V. and VI. are excellent classes, ahead of the requirements in nearly every, respect. Their reading, recitation, and geography arc worthy of special praise. The merit of Standard IV. is also considerable, but is confined to two-thirds of the class. This is the work of a pupil teacher, and on the whole does him great credit. The teaching has been intelligently done, particularly in grammar; but in the existence of a "tail," the first object of primary education— fair proficiency evenly distributed—is not realised. Standard 111. has been in charge of the mistress for only a portion of the year. The forecast of the result of this class, made recently at inspection, was not a very hopeful one. The examination turns out rather better than was anticipated. Geography, reading, and oral answering generally are poor ; but a majority do fairly good arithmetic, and grammar and composition are up to a good average. Good mechanical reading in Standard 11., and very good arithmetic, are^ counterbalanced by an utter failure in spelling, by poor drawing, and by a rather weak treatment of subject-matter and comprehension in connection with the reading leesons. Standard I. has been carefully taught. The failures are nearly all in drawing, but in justice to the teacher it is necessary to point out that the marking is based on an independent test new to our schools. The books themselves are excellent. The examination of the preparatory classes was chiefly conducted by the Infant Mistress, or by the pupil teachers in charge. Class PI (a and b) gives good promise in every respect. Class P2 has still much improvement to make in reading and writing, and does not show a sufficiently good acquaintance with its vocabulary co as to reproduce the words readily in spelling or word-building. The class, however, is "by no means, a poor one. It answers intelligently, does good counting, and will make a satisfactory Standard I. The general management of the infant room (including Standard I.), and the nature of the training given are excellent. The number of children presented was 279. Absent, 14 ; excepted, 16, failed, 32 ; passed, 133. Percentage of passes, 47-7. It v/as agreed to hold the annual taa and entertainment (to raise money for the prize fund) on Oct. 21, the members in the meantime to solicit the co-operation of the Lodges in the district by giving trays for the tea. This concluded the meeting.