HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 June 1925, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS. The. monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Ilign School Board of Governors was held last night, there being present, Dr. G. 11. Scholefield (chairman), Mrs. T. B. Barrer, Messrs. H. 0. Robinson, P. M. Compton and C. E. Daniell. An apology was received from Mr. R. McLeod.

The treasurer reported a cr. balance £267 6s 7d. Accounts totalling £203 Os Id were passed. Sir Francis Bell acknowledged congratulations, and expressed pleasure at the progress of the school. Mrs. Massey acknowledged message of sympathy. The Masterton Borough Council advised that a grant of £IOO had again been made towards grounds improvement.

The Education Department advised that the Minister had approved of a grant of £2OO to cover the. extras on the hostel contract and permanent fittings, and also a subsidy of £l9l on tho year’s expenditure. Provisional approval of claims for £42 on the wiring of the tennis court had been given. Decided to thank the Department. Tho N.Z. and South Seas Exhibition Co. solicited financial assistance in fitting up the Education Court. —Decided to reply that funds did not permit a subscription, but participation in the exhibits had been referred to the teaching staff. The Masterton Trust Land Trust advised that the first instalment of £SOO of the £IOOO grant was available. The finance committeo recommended that the Board endeavour to raiso up to £SOO to clear off the School House furnishing accounts and provide a piano.

Mr. Robinson said it had to get out to the public that they needed the money. Until the, public knew the position they could'do nothing. Mr. Daniell proposed that the chairman and secretary be authorised to apply to the Department for approval and arrange with the bank. —Carried. The Defence Department advised that after consulting other schools interested it had been decided to adhere to the existing date and conditions for the Barton and Riddiford Cup competitions. The Director of Education wrote that so many applications had been received for the establishment of junior high schools that it was difficult to deal expeditiously with them. He hoped to let the Board know, as soon as possible, when a conference could be held in Masterton.

Mr. Daniell suggeste 1 that, to treat the Trust Lands Trust with the fullest confidence, they should hand them the derailed statement of furniture expenditure for School House.—Agreed to. Mr. Compton: It wouldn’t be a bad idea to let them have figures more often.

The Prin ipal (Dr. G. H. Uttley) reported that the recent heavy rain had again revealed defects in the school building. The action of the committeo in writing to the Department to send its architect was confirmed, and it was decided to send a wire for him.

Mr. I. S. McHarg reported that fleeces and tables were necessary if tho wool-classing class .were to proceed. Mr. Daniell moved that, as arrangements counld be made with the Technical School, tho class be not gone on with.

It was decided to defer action in the meantime.

In regard to the grazing-of sheep on the grounds, it was left to Mr. Compton to make definite arrangements, subject always to the requirements ol the groundsman, who would ask for sheep as he wanted them. Dr. Uttley reported as follows: One boy left, two new boys have been enrolled during the month, the roll number is now 242. A road from Stdiool House to the School is needed. At present Renall street is beiug used ,by the boarders. The drawing master (Mr McCormack) commenced his extra class after school on Fridays. He is now engaged for two hours per week. At School House one new boarder has been enrolled, making the total 25. At present wo are using the School piano at the House. Another instrument is needed as we have four boys practising daily, and the piano we have will be required at the School. I hope the Board will enable tne groundsman to preoeed with the plan or decide on some other complete plan. The season is getting very late now for treeplanting. I have had offers of well grown trees by people who are interested in the school, and I have to keep “putting them off’’ until I know the trees are to be planted in the schoo grounds.

Regarding a letter from the Wanganui Fducation Board as to the necessity for a system of regular medical inspection of secondary pupils, the academic committee reported to the Wairarapa High School Board as follows: — Medical inspection was more an alleviation of an existing evil. To prevent its occurrence was a better solution of the trouble. Three reforms should achieve this result:— (1) Fewer external examinations. —Dr J. T. Miller (Los Angeles) stated, last year, that he had seen in New Zealand some of the w'orst nervous wrecks that lie had seen anywhere. This ho attributed to the youth being compelled to pass so many examinations. “External examinations,’’ said the committee, “are at present m*de the aim and object of a pupil’s work. Instead of being examined on what they are taught they are taught what they are most likely to be asked in the examinations.’’ (2) By the. establishment of junior high schools secondary work is begun at an earlier age, relieving the pressure of the work necessary in the higher schools. They also provide vocational work at an earlier age, preventing pupils from taking unsuitable courses. (3) By the unified system of. education the choice and scope of an individual pupil's work can be indefinitely increased, bringing enthusiasm and developing the creative stimulus, thus lightening the intensity of the effort, produced by purely brain work. The increased expense on medical inspection would be better diverted to educational reform, and the committee was not in favour of the system proposed. Dr. B. TT. Scholcfield (-chairman) said that, if the system of medical inspection was extended to secondary schools, it would be only a step towards examining all people. Mr. C. E. Daniel!: Well, is that a disadvantage? .Mr. Daniell was in favour of medical inspections -by the State.

Mrs. T. R. Barrer said the committee’s argument was that to do away with the cause of weaknesses would be better than to cure the weaknesses when they did occur. Mr. Daniell said it was a challenge against the existing system of study, and he was heartily in favour of that. The report was adopted.