A RECORD YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19450, 14 December 1934, Page 3

A RECORD YEAR

INCREASE IN ENROLMENTS HAMILTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE. PURCHASE OF PLAYING FIELDS. A year of 'unprecedented success, marked by record achievements in the ■history of the school, closed with the annual prize-giving ceremony of the Hamilton Technical College yesterday afternoon. All the speakers at the gathering spoke of the progress that the school had made in the short period of its establishment, and expressed gratification at the attainments made , during 1934. The spacious new assembly hall formed the venue for the large gathering of parents, past pupils anew friends. “The past year has been a record one for the school,” said the chairman 'Of the Board of Managers, Mr S. B. Sims. “Firstly, the total number of enrolments has exceeded that of previous years—striking proof that the school is successfully fulfilling one its functions in providing the V groundwork or foundation training for the' professions or branches of industry the pupils intend to pursue. A second mark of progress has been the erection of the assembly hall. The Board of Managers fortunately was able to defray the cost of the building without calling upon the Education Department for assistance.” For some years the board had been deeply concerned about the lack of sufficient playing area for the school, •the position becoming so acute that in 1934 some action became imperative. So it was decided to acquire an area of one and two-third acres in Gollingwood Street, within a few minutes’ walk of the school. This area had now been levelled, and it was in- - tended to proceed with the construction of sufficient basketball courts. to provide for all the girls in the school. This land had also been purchased from the board’s funds, and sfn endeavour was being made to obtain a suitable ground l'or the boys. lie had hoped that he might be in a position to tell the gathering that day that the board’s efforts in this direction had been successful.

Extensions to Building. "During the year the Department approved of a grant of nearly £OOOO for two additional class-rooms, and, with work on the additions weir in hand, it is hoped that the new building will be available at the commencement of the first term next year,” staled Mr Sims. “Our thanks are due to the Hon. J. A. Young, who is a member of the Board of Managers, for his'valuable assistance in this connection." He congratulated staff and pupils .on the results of the year’s work, and added that the board was fortunate in possessing a staff in which it had every confidence. Addressing those .xpupils whose school careers had terminated, Mr Sims stressed Die necessity for thorough mental arid physical equipment. Their success would depend entirely upon tlicir own diligence' and industry, and he reminded them of the evening classes which were available at the ■school for those who wished to con-

tinue their studies. lie urged them to. seek healthy recreation and to con- ✓ firiue to lake an interest in the school by joining the old pupils’ associations.

Roll of Over 500.

“I place before you the record of a year which, if measured by achievement alone, may undoubtedly be considered the most outstanding in the brief history of the school,” stated the principal, Mr W. Fraser, in his -review of the work of the-year. “For the first time, the school opened the year with a roll of over 500. Our enrolment of new pupils for some years has. been very large. Indeed, it is now exceeded by only nine out of the 67 post primary schools in the Dominion,

“Of late years we have been drawing our pupils from a gradually expending area. This year, however, was the first occasion on which we have had anyone from outside the Dominion, e # ie of our boys coming from as far afield as Fiji. The total enrolments for the year been 547, our roll number on March 1 being 530. The average attendance was 421, and the number now on the licliool roll is 404.

“During the year 143 children have found employment. This is considerably In excess of the number leaving during last year. In general, our boys, even in the most difficult times, have not experienced great difficulty In securing positions, and recently we have been unable to meet tho demand In town, let alone In the country.”

At the beginning of the year Miss A. G. Neely, 8.11.5 c., had joined tho staff in place, of Miss V. McCormack, who received an appointment to Soddon . Memorial Technical ' College, Auckland, while Miss M. Roc, L.R.A.M., had also joined the staff to take charge of the singing and music. Later in the year Miss J. B. Mueller, M-A., of. Whangnrci High School, had been appointed as an additional assistant owing to Ihc increase in the school roll. ' During the latter half of the year Miss M. Noble, who had been connected with tho school since its Inception, had been absent on sick leave, her work being very capably carried on by Mrs M. Mullins. Curriculum of School. In general, tho curriculum of the school had remained much as same as In the past, and extensions had been made as increase of pupils and •staff had permitted. While geometrical and mechanical drawing oonlinuod to maintain the high standard it had attained for many years, distinct progress had been achieved so far as design was concerned. Tho domestic ■science girls had reached Hie stage of l-oing able to utilise tho designs I hoy themselves had originated. Such training was distinctly educative. Mr Fraser referred io tho value of Instruction in art and music as education for tho useful employment of lcisuro time, and went on to state that domestic science and rural courses 'continued lo win constant support from country pupils. Owing to (hovincreased number of senior girls remaining at school in the domestic science course it had been found necessary lo develop the course still further and to include additional suhjccls. Several of tho •senior girls 'belonging lo this course bad been aide this Vear to sit for Urn school leaving eerlillcale with every prospect of success.

“The continued support ’accorded to our rural course by sons of well-

known farmers of the district bears ample testimony of its value. We are greatly indebted again to the assistance of Messrs A. W. Green and G. 11. Oldham for their unflagging interest and enthusiasm. Their efforts have had much to do with the success of the course,” continued Mr Fraser. “That the school is capable of providing an excellent foundation for higher technical education in the university schools of engineering, architecture, art, science and agriculture is evidenced by the fact that during the year some ten o'f our old pupils who are attending these institutions met with almost uniform success, and in certain cases achieved distinction. Examination Successes. “The successes achieved in-various examinations have been well up to the usual standard. One of our senior boys was awarded a bursary at the school of architecture, and three other pupils higher leaving certificates. Other results were as follows: City and Guilds of London Institute in electrical I 4, and Grade II 1; engineering preliminary, 5; university entrance, 9; association of commercial science, II: Government shorthand typistes, senr ior 1, junior 6. A total of 110 pupils were awarded senior free places and the junior free places of five others have been extended. Fifty. Pitman’s shorthand certificates and eleven first aid certificates have also been secured.”

‘ The increase In'the roll at the beginning of the year had produced an unexpected result, the principal explained. Shortage of room had been such a usual state of affairs that th» intimation early in the year that a grant had been made for further additions to the main building had come as a pleasant and unexpected surprise. The additions, which would be completed early next year, included out offices for the boys, a laboratory for electrical engineering to replace the “dungeon” from which had graduated many boys now making their way in the many branches of the electrical trade, and a general science laboratory. The room in temporary use as a science laboratory would be divided into two class rooms. , This arrangement ensured that all the full-time teachers would have quarters of their own, even though in some cases there would still be two engaged in the samo room. When the part-time teachers were present the congestion was naturally increased. In the meantime, the drawing classes, which occupied two teachers continuously during the week, were carried on In temporary quarters and the workshops were short of accommodation. It*was higli time, too, that the school was providing for work in motor engineering, and there was no provision tor evening classes in electrical wiring.

Assembly Hall Erection.

An event of more than ordinary importance in the year’s work was the completion of the fine assembly hallThe school now met as a community, and school functions could be carried out with fitting dignity and convenience. It was the realisation of the dream of years, and its erection had only been achieved as the result of ten years’ rigid economy and foresight. The usual roundnof c-s'chool -games had been carried on. The girls again devoted themselves to tennis, basketball and hockey, and the boys to cricket, football and hockey. Probably the most outstanding achievements in competition games had been the- winning of the Waikato ladies’ hockey ■senior championship by the girls, and the winning of the Waikato Cricket Association junior championship by the first eleven. The usual obligations at football and basketball had been carried out with Seddon Memorial Technical College, the Thames High School, and the Otahuhu Technical High School.

Boys and girls had held swimming and athletic sports in the first term, while the school’s representatives in "the Waikato secondary schools’ annual sports meeting again performed creditably, the championship in the intermediate division' again falling to the school. As in previous years, games had been played under the inter-house system, the shield again being won by Aotea House. “An event of importance is the acquisition of an area of one and twothird acres In Gollingwood' Street, within three minutes of the school,” Mr Fraser continued. “This area, which has already been levelled, will ultimately provide ten tennis and basketball courts. When the area is laid down in hard surface and a pavilion erected on the terrace on the southern side, the girls should, have a ground of their own equal to anything in the town. Evening Class Roll. “The number of students attending technical ■ classes In the evenings was 322, of whom 198 were free place holders. There was an increase in the junior enrolments, which of late years had fallen off. The' classes hcld_jvcre the same as were held during the previous year. Our accountancy students again did remarkably well, 24 securing sections of the professional accountants’ diploma. One of flic students secured the Dominion medal for junior book-keeping awarded by tho Association of Commercial Science," Mr Fraser explained. !

Tin's year marked the. first occasion on which pupils would be sitting for the school leaving certificate recently inaugurated by Ihc Education Department. ft represented a standard of attainment in various •subject's approximating tho standard of the University entrance examination, and 'the speaker thought that it should prove a suitable guide for prospective employers. Some lillle time ago the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had objected that the standard required in the school certificate was too high and that employers did not ask for the University entrance. This latter statement he knew definitely to bo incorrect, and, furthermore, ho would say that the standard of tho school certificate was not too high, but that the standard of the University entrance, for its own purpose, was too low, unless It was followed by a year’s post-matriculation work. A Tower of Strength. The old pupils promised lo be a 1 lower of strength lo the school. Their numbers were increasing at a great rate, for over 2000 had passed out of Ihc school in I he few short years of its existence. The Old Girls’ and Old Roys’ Associations had bee:) extreme!.'/ active* during (lie year. Practical InIfresl. 100. had not been lacking. The staff continued to do excellent work, and it. was io them Unit the school owed much of its success. To members of the hoard the school was deeply indebted for Iheir interest and assistance. Advlco to Pupils. “And now I would say one last word lo those whp have been with us for some years and who are here a*

'pupils for the last time,” concluded ! Mr Fraser, addressing the pupils. “One object of your games has been to inculcate a spirit of sportsmanship and good-fellowship. Things will not always go your way. In spite of the onward march of civilisation the world is not always as pleasant a place in which to live as it was when the pace was not so fast.

“Tempers are too easily frayed; attacks of nerves are too frequent. Back-biting and carping are all too evident, not only in our civil and social life, but also in our international relations. Would that you may be able to cultivate a spirit of charity and loving kindness' to your fellowmen and fellowwomen.” MINISTER'S ADDRESS. • “You will find that, with the years, responsibilities will gradually attach theihselves to you,” said the I-lon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, who was the principal speaker. “They may be the impersonal responsibilities connected with the calling you adopt, or personal responsibilities for the well-being of others, but everyone invariably'finds that one or both have appeared ■ with the widening of their interests in life.” It was for these . responsibilities, which were not yet even on the horizon, that the schooling was intended to fIL the pupils, and it was .by the manner in which they discharged those responsibilities that they, would be judged in the community, wherever it might be, of which they eventually became part. They ■■ would see, therefore, that while it was essential to have the learning and training gained in their school years, its mere possession was no't so important as the use to which they put it. / “This is an age of individualism in youtliT’ said Mr Young. “It has become fashionable for young people to be indifferent to the opinion of others. But when you have passed through that stage of youthful Intolerance you will find that there is really nothing objectionable in being well thought of by others.

Minister of Health and a .member of the Beard of Managers.

“When that time comes you will have:- conceived one aspiration in life at least that you will not need to strive for. In fact, it can only be achieved when it is an entirely unconscious aspiration,, because it is the effect of a -code of living rather than the inspiration of it. It expresses itself in "service for your fellows and forgetfulness of self-advantage.

For the Common Good.

“It does not greatly matter what aspect of life you choose as the field of your unselfish endeavour towards betterment of things. It does not matter greatly whether the particular ideal which you set out to transmute into reality is unseen or unappreciated by others.

“If your chosen Ideal Is for the common good, and your motive In pursuing It unselfish, only good can come of its pursuit.

“Even if you may never attain it, your striving for it will have evolved a mode of living that will bear the imprint of your motive, and it will be one which -will earn you the respect of your fellows. “In the meantime, let your attitude be respectful towards your seniors, just towards your equals, and generous toward those who can confer no benefit on you. DO not regard your education as complete till you have exhausted all experience of men and affairs. That' will take a full lifetime:

“Hamilton has every reason to be proud of her educational institutions and none the less of her. Technical College,” said Mr, Young. “It has made fine progress and at the present time it occupies a very-worthy placein Hie Dominion."

It had been most interesting to find

that no difficulty had been met by pupils of the schools in obtaining em-

ployment and that • Hie demand of 1 employers for labour had been upsat-. isiled. This was no isolated instance, but. similar reports had been made in other parts of■ the Dominion. It'was gratifying, Mr Young considered, io know that, even though the times might be very difficult for the adults of the 'community,'there were opportunities for youths who had graduated through tho secondary schools. That the move for the provision of a second playing field for the use of the hoy pupils was well advanced was signified by llio Minister, who said that it was -proposed to purchase an area of land, within, easy reach of the school, at present owned by the Department of •Agriculture. Considerable progress had been made in I lie discussions, and lie stated that Hie Agricultural Department had expressed its willingness to sell a portion of the area. The Lands and Survey Department had been requested to assess the' value of the portion. He congratulated the 'school on having obtained a playing area for the girls in Gollingwood Street. MUSICAL PROGRAMME. The steady progress'made by the school in the music instruction given by Miss R. E. M. Roo, was indicated by the excellent programme presented at the gathering- A pupils’ string oreheslra was heard in one number, while anolher ilom was well presented by a brass sextette. Several -choral renditions wore given by girls’ choirs. PRIZES DISTRIBUTED. THE SUCCESSFUL PUPILS. The following prizes were presented to I he pupils by Mrs S. R. Sims and llio Hon. J. A. Young, members of I lie Board of Managers, at Ihc conclusion of 1 hfi break-up ceremony at llio Hamilton Technical College:— Class Prizes. First Year Crfnls.—OmunmiAl. Jean Kidded; domestic, Marjorie Bennett. first Year Science and account-

ancy, D. Mead; engineering-, E. J. R. Yates: rural industrial, E. Honore; building- trades, R. Campbell;' commercial, R. C. Kerby. Second Y-car Girls.—Commercial,. Jean Findlay; domestic, Isabella Sharp. Second Year Boys.—Science and accountancy, B. Smith; engineering, H. Ilaynes; rural Industrial, A. Ramsay; building trades, B. Davison. Third Year.—Commercial, Trixie Elliott; science and accountancy, F. Reid. Proficiency in School Work. Girls.—Betty Kurth, Yvonne Blackmore, Nancy Hirst, Mary Armttage, Mavis Wouldes, Valerie Grade, Peggy Ogllvy, Sonia Sampson, Joyce Watson', Shirley Lymburn, Fred Altken, Valerie Burton, Irene Bond. Boys.—N. Wouldes, \v. Rennie, J. Church, G. White, C. Cook, J. Manning, R. Darrovv, McQuillan, R. Buchanan, B. King,. C. Andrews, J. Barnett, C. Fraser, R. •rockway, B. Monckton. Special Awards. Chairman’s prize for best girl in domestic science, Valerie Fitness; best girl for office work, .Nora Fulton; elocution, Nora Reese; dressmaking, Stella Morgan; general efficiency and school interest (presented by Old Girls’ Association), Esmc Ilobbs; general efficiency and school Interest, G. Fraser; chairman’s prize for best industrial boy, A. Felsst. Special Prizes in Woodwork.—Presented by Dfsston and Sons, Ltd., ,T. Taylor; presented by Charles Taylor, Sheffield, B. Davison; presented by Canadian Foundries, Ltd., D. Sampson.

Engineering (presented by Hamilton Hardware. Co.), F. Short; book-keeping, Mavis Hirst an'd H. Old; draughtsmanship, C. Green; agriculture (presented by Waikato A. and. P. Association). W. Chesterman and W. Morrison; first-year dairywork (presented by Mr G. Oldham), W. O’Loughlin; first-year dairywork notebook (presented by Mr G. Oldham), R. Watkins; second year dairywork (medal presented by Mr A. W. Green), M. Murtagh; second year dairywork (presented by Mr A. W. Green), M. Murtagh; engineering, best first year boy (presented by Electrical Construction Co.), D. Vernon; engineering progress (presented by Hamilton Hardware), H. Doyle; engineering, second year (presented by J. J. Niven and Co.), D. White; magazine prizes, Selina Stark and Esmc Ilobbs. Gold medallist (rnedal presented by Messrs F. S. Hail), Selina Stark. Gold medallist (medal presented by Messrs F. S. Hall), ll.* Gunn. Bond Scholarships, 1935.—Commercial, Jean Findlay; domestic, Isabella Sharp; engineering, E. J, R. Yates; building trades, R. Campbell. Sp-orts Trophies. Girls. —Senior tennis championship (Gould cup), Dorothy Clements; junior tennis championship, Madge Cave; senior; swimming championship (Old Girls’ challenge cup), Mary Barton; Junior swim-, ining championship, Eda Ensor; junior. , house relay,. Tokomaru; senior athletic: ’championship (medal presented by Miss Madeley), Jean Adams; Junior athletic championship, Jean Findlay; Inter-liouse basketball championship (Old Girls’ cup),; Aotea; athletic shield, Aotca. Boys.—Senior athletic cup, W. Goosroan; Junior athletic cup, G. Morrott; fastest time, steeplechase, under 15, L. Crawford; points cup, under il, G. SunIch; senior swimming championship (Old Boys’ challenge shield), F. llaughey; .junior swimming championship, G. Morrott; ladies’ challenge cup Tor shooting, W., Chesterman and H. Gunn; fives, Junior, singles, J. Johansen; lives, junior doubles, J. Johansen and A. Fisher; Inter-house (Sims’ shield), Aotea.