Appendix D.j

E.—2.

XI

Lodgings. —ls per cent, of our students live >it home, 50 per cent, at the three students' hostels, and the remaining 35 per cent, are accommodated in private lodgings. While acknowledging the valuable assistance rendered by these hostels, 1 must express regret at the fact that the McCarthy Trustees could not see their way to assist in the foundation of a residential school of domestic science, as recommended to them by the public meeting originally called by the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. Health. —Health is so essential an asset to the teacher that 1 feel constrained to make some remarks on that subject, more particularly as it is a very general opinion that the schools are not getting the robust type of constitution that the exacting profession of the teacher demands. The health of the students, more particularly in the case of the women, has not been as good as it should be. This, has been specially noticeable in the case of those living in lodgings, and one of the predisposing causes has undoubtedly been the lack of supervision out of college hours — for students are often unwise not so much in the amount of work undertaken as in the manner of doing that work. The crowded condition of the buildings and the lack of space for proper recreation has prevented our doing much to counteract the results of wrong methods of study. The Education Department conducts an official medical examination before granting the teachers' certificates to any applicant. If this examination were held before instead of after the course of training much waste of energy could be prevented even if it necessitated a double examination. The present system of accepting the family doctor's certificate is open to many objections. Curriculum. —The prescribed course of study at the College is allocated as follows : History and principles of education, hygiene, nature-study, child-study —the Principal; method—the Headmaster, Mr. Webb; science—Mr. Kidson; kindergarten-work —Miss Fitch; physical culture —Mr. Cowles and Miss Fitch; domestic science—Miss Kilroe and Miss Mcßae; handwork — Mr. Howe; music—Mr. Parker; drawing—Mr. Smith and Misses Gooder and Williamson (of the Technical School staff). University Work. —The numbers in attendance at University classes were as follows : English, 78; Latin, 25; French, 7; German, 1; education, 45; mental science, 28; history, 6; mathematics, 2; biology, 19; geology, 7. This gives practically two classes for each senior and one and a half for each junior student. As 90 per cent, of the students are matriculated, this should be well within their capacitj'. The results were 179 class passes —sixteen firsts, fifty-four seconds, and 109 thirds —enabling twenty-six students to keep first year's terms, ten second, and four third year's terms. Though less University work was undertaken than for the previous year, these general results show that about 25 per cent, of the students are not prepared to benefit adequately by attendance at Victoria College. For this section a more suitable course could be provided at the Training College if the regulation entailing compulsory attendance at English were relaxed. The degree course in that subject is not the most suitable for the majority of teachers. Teaching Practice. —In the matter of teaching practice the plan adopted last year has again been followed, with satisfactory results. The visit to the associated schools was much appreciated by the senior students, who were most kindly received by both headmasters and assistants. I regret that financial difficulties prevent our making similar use of the best country schools. Owing to the larger number of junior students we had in their case to replace a good deal of the individual practice by demonstration lessons. Certificates. —Forty-seven students completed their course of training in December, and the joint result of the departmental examinations and the Training College recommendations was as follows: D certificates —full 6, partial 1; C certificates —full 22, partial 16; B certificates —full 1, partial 1. Excursions, Lectures, (be. —During the year special excursions were made to places of interest round Wellington, Mr. C. E. Adams (of the Dominion Observatory) kindly gave several practical lessons on latitude and local time. The agricultural class spent a most profitable day with Mr. Duncan in his school-garden at W T aikanae, and the senior students paid a visit to the new school at Ngaio to make a study of up-to-date school buildings. We have to thank the Inspector-General (Mr. G. Hogbeu), Dr. Kennedy (of St. Patrick's College), Dr. Mason, and Professors yon Zedlitz, Picken, and Kirk for special lectures on subjects connected with our College work. Social. —During September the Old Students' Association held a reunion at the College, and a, pleasant and profitable time was spent. Mr. Robert Lee, Chairman of the Education Board, presided at the inaugural meeting. Our own Students' Association most capably carried out their duties by providing for the literary, athletic, and social college life of the students as a whole. Staff. —We have again to record the loss of two valued members of our staff. Early in the year Miss lorns had to resign on account of illliealth, and in October Mr. Lomas left to take up an important educational position in Korea. Miss Williamson, of South Wellington, and Mr. Kidson, of Greytown, were appointed to the vacancies. Examinations. —The Normal School was examined by the Board's Inspectors in July, the Inspector-General and Mr. Spencer visited the Training College in November, and Dr. Gunn, Medical Inspector, gave again a short course of instruction to the students during September. In order to give the College the benefit of the new system of physical culture, Mr. Royd Garlick kindly admitted two of our staff to his first course of instruction, and they were thus enabled to give the outgoing students a very fair idea of the purpose and scope of this important branch of school-work. Summer School. —The annual summer school for uncertificated teachers was held during February. Seventeen teachers, representing Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, and Grey Education Districts, attended and did most satisfactory work.