EDUCATION: HIGH SCHOOLS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, E-13

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1895. NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION: HIGH SCHOOLS (PARTICULARS RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 16th July, 1895. Ordered, " That a return be laid before this House, and be printed, showing—(l) The number of high schools in the colony, (2) the number of persons engaged in giving instruction in the high schools ; (3) the number of pupils attending the high schools ; (4) the number of pupils attending the high schools who are unable to pass Standard VI.; (5) what arrangements have been made for the education of children who have passed Standard VI. and (6) the gross cost of the high schools."—(Mr. Carnell.)

(1.) Twenty-four, as shown in E.-9, Appendix to Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895. The authorities of some of these schools object to the application of the term " high school " to their institutions. (2.) One hundred and thirty-four, as shown in the paper, E.-9, page 4, with a correction required by the facts given in notes m and n. (3.) Two thousand four-hundred and fifty-four, as shown in the same table. (4.) Approximately, five hundred. From the nature of the case the precise number cannot be stated. The data from which the estimate is derived are contained in the accompanying letters from the authorities of the schools. (5.) The accompanying letters supply the information required by the fifth section of the order. (6.) The expenditure in 1894 was £48,390. This is ascertained by deducting from the total which is £77,073 17s. 2d.—the following sums Dr balances, £9,025 14s. lid., Cr balances, £11,575 15s. Boarding School Account, £3,667 10s. 3d., Mortgage Account, £4,413 Bs. lOd. The accounts are published every year in the paper E.-9, where a short summary is given (page 1), a tabulated statement of the accounts of all the schools (pages 2 and 3), and the separate accounts of the several schools in connection with their reports (in subsequent pages)

Auckland College and Grammar School. Sib, — Secretary's Office, Auckland, 30th July, 1895. In reply to your letter of the 24th instant, asking how many of the pupils of the school are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools, and what arrangements are made in the school for the inspection of children who have passed the Sixth Standard, I have the honour to report: — That seventy-three pupils out of 363 would have difficulty in passing the Sixth Standard. Many of these attended the district schools, and came to the school after passing the Fourth Standard. That at the beginning of each year a special form is made up on both boys' and girls' sides into which are placed all those who have come from the Sixth Standard. In these forms especial attention is given to Latin, French, and mathematics. Also, after the inspection of the. city schools in August, special arrangements are made for those who come to the school from Standard VI. in the third term of the year The special forms this year contain thirty-seven boys and fortyone girls. I have, &c, W Wallace Kidd, Secretary The Inspector-General, Education Department, Wellington.

Whangarei High School. Dear Sir, — In reply to your wire, the circular was sent on to the principal of the High School, who has mislaid the same, but the following may supply the information desired :—

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There are seven pupils on the roll not of the Sixth Standard attainments, and that those who have passed the Sixth Standard at entrance are started in high school subjects, giving at first greater attention to the new subjects. In the event of a pupil making a short stay, only those subjects that are most useful are taken up. Yours, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. J McKinnon, Secretary

Thames High School. Sir,— 6th August, 1895. In reply to your circular dated 24th July, I have the honour to inform you that: (1.) There are four of our pupils who are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of public schools. (2.) So long as the finances would allow it the Governors gave free tuition to all those under fourteen years of age who have passed the Sixth Standard. Since the revenue has fallen off they have been compelled to rescind this resolution, and now four scholarships have been created, open for competition to all children under fourteen years of age who have passed the Sixth Standard. I have, &c, W J Habens, Esq., Wellington. H. J Greenslade, Secretary

New Plymouth High School. Sir,— High School Board Office, New Plymouth, 7th August, 1895. In reply to your circular-letter of 24th July, I have the honour to forward the following statement from the principal of the New Plymouth High School, viz.: — " (1.) There are thirty-four pupils in the school who probably could not pass the Sixth Standard. This is, of course, purely hypothetical. Some of those returned as unable to pass are not inferior in attainments to some who have actually passed. " (2.) Those pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard are classified according to the progress they have made in each subject, and pursue the usual school course. Thus, their knowledge of English may warrant their being placed in the highest form in the primary subjects, whilst in the secondary ones they are in one of the lower forms —perhaps the lowest." Hoping that this will meet the requirements of the circular I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. G. Veale, Secretary

Wanganui Girls' High School. Sir, — Office of the Board of Governors, Wanganui, 27th July, 1895. In reply to your letter of the 24th instant, I can only reply approximately 1. As to the number of pupils who are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools Sixty of the pupils have never sat for examination in the Sixth Standard, but of these, twenty could pass the standard or its equivalent. 2. What arrangements are made in the school for the instruction of those who have passed the Sixth Standard ?—All pupils who have passed Standard VI. commence the study of English literature, French, and algebra, and nearly all take up euclid and Latin also. I have, &c, The Secretary Education Department, Wellington. A. Browne, Secretary..

Wanganui Collegiate School. Sir, — Bishopscourt, Wellington, 31st July, 1895. I have the honour to send you the following reply to your questions dated the 24th July :— 1. It is difficult to answer this question precisely, as we have no examination exactly corresponding. lam informed thirty of our pupils, so far as our headmaster is able to judge, are unable to pass the Sixth Standard. 2. These pupils are placed in a special form, where they devote extra time to the secondary school subjects until they are sufficiently advanced to take their proper position in the school. I have, &c, W J Habens, Esq., Education Department, Wellington. Frederic Wellington

Wellington College and Girls' High School. Dear Sir, — Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd August, 1895. In reply to your letter of the 24th ultimo : — 1. About thirty-five of the boys at Wellington College are unable to pass the Sixth Standard, and of about twenty more it is uncertain without trial. 2. A special form is made of Education Board scholarship winners, and exceptionally bright boys above the Sixth Standard. Other boys above the Sixth Standard are placed in suitable positions as regards the subjects they have already worked at, and make a new form or forms for new subjects. Yours, &c, The Rev W J Habens, Chas. P Powles, Secretary Secretary, Education Department.

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Dear Sir, — Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd September, 1895. I have to inform you that there are at the Girls' High School twenty to twenty-five pupils who probably would not pass for Standard VI. Girls who have passed the Sixth Standard are placed in the third form for English subjects, and in the lower fourth form for arithmetic. Arrangements are made by which they may begin Latin, French, algebra, and euclid without respect to the classes in which they happen to be in for English. Girls of exceptional ability are placed in higher forms than those who have merely passed the Sixth Standard. Yours, &c, Chas. P Powles, Secretary The Rev. W. J Habens, Secretary for Education.

Napier High Schools. Deab Sir,— Napier, 26th July, 1895. In answer to your circular of the 24th July, I have the honour to reply:— 1. How many of your pupils are unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools ? —ln the boys' school there are four. The whole of these boys pass in various subjects in which Sixth Standard children could not. In the girls' schools there are forty-one. The whole of the forty-one learn French besides common subjects. Twenty-three of them learn Latin, algebra, &c, besides. 2. What arrangements are made in your school for the instruction of children who have passed the Sixth Standard?—ln both schools the same course is.followed. Pupils are separately classified in every subject. Sixth Standard children when they enter continue their studies in English and arithmetic, &c. from the place at which they left off in the public schools. In secondary subjects, such as classics, mathematics, and French, they have to start at the commencement in each subject. I have, &c, Eev W J Habens. David Sidey, Secretary to High Schools.

Nelson College. Nelson College, 13th August, 1895. This circular seems to me to be addressed to the District High Schools or Seventh Standard schools. It is quite impossible to say how many in Nelson Boys' College are unable to pass the Sixth Standard, because (1) the boys are not classified according to their knowledge of Sixth Standard subjects or any other Government standard, and (2) the examinations are not conducted on the lines of Government standards. All that I can state is that all boys learn Latin, all above Form 1 learn French as well, and all above Form 2 learn algebra and euclid. Thus, practically, the whole staff is engaged in secondary school work. W S. Littlejohn, Boys' College. The Secretary, College Office, Nelson.

Nelson College for Girls. 1. There are about sixteen pupils who could not pass the Sixth Standard. 2. Those who have passed the Sixth fall, roughly, into two groups— (a.) Those who are working with a view to pass one of the following examinations Matriculation examination, Civil Service, and Teachers' Certificates , (b.) those who are not being educated for any special career. The subjects taught are as follows: — 1. Mathematics —Arithmetic, algebra, euclid, trigonometry. Class B would omit one or more of these subjects. 2. Latin —Grammar and translation. Many in Class B would omit. 3. English —Grammar, essay-writing, literature, English history, geography (including set text-books and miscellaneous reading). Both A and B. 4. French or German —Grammar and translation. Many in B take both. 5. Science —Physics, botany, physiology All these subjects seldom taken. 6. Music, Drawing, Physical Exercises —Throughout a certain amount of liberty in choice of subjects is allowed. Division A working for examinations , Division B for more general education, paying more attention to modern languages and accomplishments.

Canterbury College. Christchurch, New Zealand, 30th July, 1895. Sir, — Boys' High School. In reply to your circular dated 24th July, I have the honour, by direction of the Chairman, to inform you that in the Boys' High School there are at present forty-six boys who are quite unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools , there are twelve others who could, I think, pass the Sixth Standard in English subjects, but would be unable to do so in arithmetic. Of the fortysix boys above mentioned, twenty-two are doing Fourth Standard work and twenty-four Fifth Standard work. There are at present 245 boys in attendance. There is a special form for the reception on entrance of the scholars, exhibitioners, and brighter boys of those who have passed the Sixth Standard. Other boys who have passed the Fifth or Sixth Standards are put into such arithmetic and English classes as their attainments admit of. No boy is kept in a low class because of his ignorance of Latin or any secondary subject, the school being reclassified for each subject, so that a boy may be in the upper third mathematics, middle third English, and upper first Latin. There is a strong modern form, taught by two masters, where boys may go who do not learn Latin. They receive, instead of Latin, instruction in shorthand, science, drawing, and manual training. A great deal of

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drawing, especially geometrical drawing, is taught, there is a strong physical science department, embracing six chemistry classes, three physics classes, and one class in elementary science. There is also a book-keeping and correspondence class, and one for elementary shorthand. These classes in geometrical drawing, chemistry, physics, book-keeping, and shorthand are, in addition to the classes in these subjects, taught in the modern form, so that a boy learning Latin may still receive as well the basis of a technical training. There is also an extra school carpenter's shop fee, 2s. 6d. a term. I have, &c, A. Cracroft Wilson, Registrar. For your further information I enclose herewith a prospectus of the school for the current year

Sir,— Christchurch, 29th July, 1895. Girls' High School. In reply to your circular dated the 24th July, I have the honour, by direction of the Chairman, to inform you that in the Girls' High School there are at present fifteen scholars whose attainments are below the Sixth Standard pass of a primary school. One hundred and thirty-five girls are attending the school this term, and 120 of the number have either passed the Sixth Standard or are capable of doing so. In addition to the ordinary English subjects, the scholars receive instruction in the following. History, English and Roman, Geography, physical and political, English literature, English composition, Latin, French, German, mathematics, botany, physiology, physics, cooking, dresscutting, sewing, drawing, class singing, calisthenics, drill, swimming, shorthand. The school is conducted by the lady principal and six assistants, in addition to these there are six visiting teachers, specialists for the subjects of French and German, cooking, dress-cutting, calisthenics and drill, swimming. The course of instruction reaches the level required for the Junior University Scholarship Examination, the girls of the highest class making use of the examination of the University of New Zealand as their leaving examination. I have, &c. A. Cbacroft Wilson, Registrar

Christ's College. Sir,— Christchurch, 27th August, 1895. In replying to your letter of the 24th ultimo, in which you request information about Christ's College Grammar School, similar to that asked for in a circular addressed to the High School Boards of the colony, I have to point out that Christ's College School though essentially a public school, inasmuch as it is open to all, and is not carried on for profit, is differentiated from the " high schools " by the circumstances and date (anterior to the establishment of a State system of primary education in the colony) of its foundation, the sources of its endowments, and the nature of the trusts undertaken by the governing body This difference has been recognised and accentuated by the subsequent foundation in Christchurch of a school specially designed to serve the purposes of a " high school " , and the existence of this high school has greatly limited the supply of pupils from the primary schools to Christ's College, to such an extent, indeed, that the competition for certain scholarships founded with the object of attracting the most promising of such boys is very far from being as keen as the governing body could wish. These facts have an important bearing upon the matters as to which you desire information. I proceed to deal with your inquiries : — 1. Number of pupils unable to pass Standard VI. —The headmaster informs me that he is unable to give a definite number with any confidence that it is even approximately accurate. The classification of the school is not made with any reference to the standards per se, nor are the examinations upon the same lines as the standard examinations. Also, he has no means of estimating the degree of proficiency in the prescribed subjects required for passes in the standards, except his knowledge of the attainments of boys who have come under his observation after either passing or failing, and his experience in this way has led him to the conclusion that the standard of proficiency is very variable. It may, however, be stated that the Lower School, containing at present twenty-nine boys, is designed expressly for boys who are considerably below the average age for passing Standard VI., and that of the seventy boys in the lowest three forms of the Upper School perhaps nearly or quite one-half would fail if called upon to undergo the examination without notice. Of these, however, many would require only a short preparation in certain portions of subjects, which in the course followed here are deferred to a later stage to enable them to pass, and many would be able to pass at once an examination of at least equal difficulty though of different character. 2. Arrangements for Sixth Standard Pupils. —Sixth Standard pupils are not recognised as a distinct class. New boys are placed according to their performances in the entrance examination. But provision is made for those whose previous education has not been such as to lead up to the course followed here in the existence of a " special form " outside the ordinary succession of forms. In this form such boys are as quickly as possible brought into line with the others, and from it they are passed into the ordinary forms without any waste of time. In this way boys of good ability are enabled to attain very rapidly to the higher forms, and to qualify for the higher scholarships. I have, &c, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. C. Christchurch, Warden.

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Rangiora High School. Sir,— Rangiora, 30th July, 1895. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 24th instant, and, in reply to Query 1, I have to state that two boys and four girls have not reached Standard VI. subjects. Query 2 The instruction of children who have passed the Sixth Standard is regulated by the requirements for the matriculation, &c. Second term, twenty-seven pupils. I have, &c, Wm. Jas. Habens, Esq., Wellington. Geo. John Leech, Chairman.

Akaroa School. Sir,— Akaroa, 26th July, 1895. Your circular for return to Order of the House of Representatives having been handed to me for reply, I beg to state, in answer to question 1, that, in my opinion, the work and attainments of seven pupils are not up to that required to pass the Sixth Standard, and, in answer to question 2, that lam myself the sole instructor in all subjects. Trusting that these answers are such as you require. I have, &c, J. B. Harbison, M.A., The Rev W J Habens. Headmaster, Akaroa High School.

Ashburton High School. (Memorandum.) Ashburton, 30th August, 1895. Re return required by Inspector-General of Schools as per circular dated 24th July, 1895. Question I. —How many of your pupils are unable to pass the Sixth Standard?— There are at present in attendance forty pupils. Of these, twenty have passed the Sixth Standard. Of the others, eight would probably pass if presented, nine would probably fail, and three are on the borderline between passing and failing. Of course I have no means of determining who would pass or fail, but, in my judgment, the results would be somewhat as above. Some of those who I think would fail could be prepared to pass the examination in a short time. Question 2. —What arrangements are made in your school for the instruction of children who have passed the Sixth Standard ? —ln our school the classes are arranged according to subjects, not according to forms—that is, the same subject is going on through the whole school at the same time. On entering, a new pupil is at once put into the class in each subject most suitable for his attainments. Children who have passed the Sixth Standard on entering are at once put into Latin, French, euclid, and algebra, besides continuing their primary school work m arithmetic,, English, geography, history, and writing. Charles Braddell, Secretary

Timahu High School. Sir,— Timaru, 6th August, 1895. I have the honour by direction to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 24th ultimo, and in reply to state : — 1. That the number of pupils probably unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools is—-out of a roll-number at present of fifty-six boys and forty-three girls—seven boys and seven girls. 2. There is no special arrangement necessary for pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard, seeing that every subject has a separate classification, each pupil being placed for each subject according to his or her attainments therein. 3. The headmaster adds "I would respectfully point out that, as the Sixth Standard is the culminating point for those who would be leaving school at fourteen or fifteen, when presumably their scholastic education has been made in some sense complete, it is not desirable that those who go on until sixteen or seventeen should remain to pass the Sixth Standard at the public schools instead of beginning their secondary work proper Some years of experience of both primary and secondary education in New Zealand have convinced me of the error on the one hand of supposing that the secondary schools should begin where the primary schools leave off, and on the other of the great necessity for the proper co-ordination of the two classes of schools. Quite a large proportion of our pupils benefit to only a slight extent by our instruction, because they come to us too late to allow time for doing the higher work thoroughly, and therefore profitably " I have, &c, J H. Bamfield, Secretary To the Secretary, Department of Education, Wellington.

Boys' High School, Oamaru Sir, — Boys' High School, Oamaru. With reference to your circular (date, the 24th July, 1895), I beg to inform you that in the Waitaki Boys' High School out of forty boys there are two who, probably, could not pass the Sixth Standard. Of these, one has passed the Fifth Standard, the other the Fourth Standard. The whole of the school work is arranged to suit the needs of Sixth Standard pupils, who are admitted at a reduced charge of £4 10s. per annum. Nearly all our pupils have passed through the primary schools. I have, &c, John Harkness, Rector

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Waitaki Girls' High School. 1. Of thirty-nine pupils on the roll, twenty-six have passed the Sixth Standard of the public schools, and of the remainder ten are, in my judgment, unable to pass that standard. 2. Owing to the large majority of Sixth Standard pupils entering the school (see 1), the course of instruction is necessarily adapted to their requirements, and special arrangements have to be made rather for those who have not passed through the training of the public schools, and whose progress is slower than that of older pupils. The beginners' classes in the secondary subjects are therefore kept distinct from the junior classes, and pupils showing aptitude and ability have the opportunity of passing rapidly into a higher class. When Sixth Standard pupils enter the school they are classified according to their English and arithmetic, while beginners' classes are formed in the secondary subjects (Latin, French, algebra, euclid, &c.) at the opening of each term, facilities being given for rapid promotion where advisable. George Sumpter, Secretary

Otago Boys' and Girls' High School. Office of the High Schools' Board, Dunedin, Ist August, 1896. I have the honour to return the following information from the rectors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools in answer to the questions contained in your letter of the 24th ultimo. To Rev W J Habens, Secretary, C. Macandrew, Secretary Education Department, Wellington.

Boys' High School. 1. There are no boys in this school unable to pass the Sixth Standard of the public primary schools. Of boys who have entered the school this year, all but three had passed the Sixth Standard prior to entry Of these three, one came from an Australian high school, and was placed in our upper fifth , the others were boys of advanced age. 2. This interrogatory was put last year (1894) by the Inspector-General of Education, and may best be answered by reference to his own report after inspection of these schools, but see the prospectus as follows " The classification of subjects is such that, on entering the school, a boy is at no disadvantage if he has not yet commenced, the study of languages or mathematics. His place is determined by his standard attained at a primary school, or by an equivalent test if he has not attended a primary school." As speaking generally, the boys of this school have all passed Standard VI., or have some equivalent qualification prior to entry, and as very few bring any knowledge of secondary school subjects, the classification is based upon the Sixth Standard qualification. Our third form is a continuation class, and full provision is made in our third form for beginning all secondary school work. Henry Belcher, Rector 29th July, 1895.

Girls' High School. It is impossible to say with absolute accuracy how many in the school are unable to pass the Sixth Standard. Approximately, I should say, twenty-five out of a total of 150, or about 17 per cent. The prospectus of the school is the answer to the second question—" What arrangements are made for the instruction of children who have passed the Sixth Standard?"—and no other general answer is possible. As a rule, those who have passed the Sixth Standard join our fourth form, those who have done Seventh Standard work join the fifth form. Enclosed find that part of the prospectus which answers the question. A. Wilson, Rector Extract from the Prospectus. —" Pupils entering this school from the State schools are classified according to their attainments in English and arithmetic. Arrangements exist by which pupils who, up to the time of entering the school, have confined their attention entirely to the work of the standards, may begin such secondary subjects as higher English, Latin, French, mathematics, and science. At the commencement of each session a beginners' class is formed for Latin and French , and to any pupil who makes exceptional progress an opportunity is given later in the session of joining a more advanced division."

Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools. Sir, — Invercargill, 23rd August, 1895. In reply to your circular of the 24th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you (1.) All the pupils attending the Southland high schools are able to pass the Sixth Standard of the public schools. (2.) Reply to No. 1 practically answer this the whole staff being occupied with work beyond the Sixth Standard pass. I have, &c, Charles Rout, Secretary W J Habens, Esq., Secretary for Education, Wellington. Approximate Cost of Paper—Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), £3 17s.

By Authority Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s. Price 3d.]