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Refresher Courses for Teachers Following upon the successful inauguration last year of a special refresher course in social studies for post-primary teachers, the grant for refresher courses was increased from £l,OOO to £2,000, this sum including provision for primary teachers as well. It was decided to arrange special courses in general science and in physical education, while, in addition, Lincoln Agricultural College arranged a course. for teachers of agriculture. Two courses for teachers of science were held for one week in January, 1946, one at "Victoria University College and one at Canterbury University College. The control of these courses was again vested in a Committee appointed by the three teachers' organizations. The thanks of all interested in education are due to the two University colleges, and in particular to Professors Richardson and Percival for their efforts in making the •courses so successful. A course in physical education was conducted by Mr. Smithells and his staff at New Plymouth Boys' High School. Buildings Substantial progress has been made during the past year towards the solution of the accommodation problems of secondary schools. In Auckland, Mount Albert Grammar ;School has had completed a new sanitary block ; and good progress is being made towards the rebuilding of Epsom Girls' Grammar School. At Takapuna Grammar School, new metal work and art-rooms and three new class-rooms have been completed, and progress is being made with a new domestic-science block. Thames High School has a new library and a new craft-room, and plans are ready for a new science laboratory. Hamilton High School has a class-room converted to an art-room, and Gisborne High School has acquired a new section and buildings which will help in easing the congestion due to increased numbers. At Hastings High School a contract has been arranged for new technological and domestic-science blocks. Dannevirke High School has a new swimming-bath, and plans for a hall are ready for calling tenders. The art and home-science building at New Plymouth Girls' High School is now in .occupation. Good progress is being made with the new wing of the Wellington Girls' 'College, which should be occupied shortly. At Rangiora High School woodwork and metalwork rooms are approaching completion, and plans are. in preparation for hostel accommodation. Four new rooms have been completed at the Christchurch Girls' High School and were occupied in September. Ashburton High School has new woodwork and cookery rooms converted from Army buildings. The domestic-science department at Timaru Girls' High School has received important extensions, and Waimate High School has dressing-rooms and woodwork storage accommodation provided from converted Army buildings. Plans are ready for three new class-rooms at King's High School, Dunedin, while the new hall of South Otago High School has been completed, and arrangements are being made for a new metalwork-room. The plans •of Gore High School are ready for calling tenders, and good progress is being made with the building of the new girls' high school at Invercargill. School Hostels The demand for accommodation in school hostels still remains unsatisfied, although .several schools have increased the size of their buildings. The number of pupils resident in school hostels attached to secondary and combined schools during the year was 2,429, as against 2,287 in 1944. The following schools stand first among those accommodating boarders in receipt of boarding-allowances : Whangarei High School, 137 ; New Plymouth Boys' High .School, 104; Waitaki Boys' High School, 88.

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