GENERAL REPORT OF SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN, 1894.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 37, 11 January 1895, Page 15

GENERAL REPORT OF SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN, 1894.

The examinations of the parochial schools of the diocese of Dunedin was begun on Novembsr 5, and completed on December 13. The examinations were conducted strictly according to the requirements of the State schools' syllabus, 1891. The following results were shown : — St Joseph's school (girls) Invercargill, Presented for examination in the standards, 98 ; pissed, 72 ; failed, 26 ; excepted (by reason of ill-haaltb, defective sight, very irregular attendance or like cause, 14 ; absent, 18 ; preparatory clase, 20. St Mary's school (boys) Invercargill. Prea nted 40 ; passed 39 ; failed, 1 ; absent, 9. St Joseph's school (mix 'd) Milton. Presented 56 : passed 54 ; failed, 2 ; excepted, 4 ; absent 2 ; preparatory class, 12. St Patrick's school (mixed) Lawrenc 1 . Presented, 49 ; passed, 37 ; failed 12 ; exc3pted, 2 ; absent 4 ; preparatory class, 11. St Mary's school (mixed) Mosgisl. Preaental, 29; passed, 27 ; failed, 2 ; exeppted, 1 ; preparatory class, 9, St Joseph's school (girls) Dunedin. Presented, 108 ; passed, 104 ; failed, 4 ; excepted, 9 ; absent, 4 ; preparatory clas«, 25. St Patrick's school (mixedi South Dunedin ; presented, 99 passed, 87; failed, 12 ; excepted, 13 ; absent, 17 ; preparatory class. 52.

St Joseph's school (girls) Oaimru. Presented, 108 ; passed, 97 ; failed, 11 ; excepted, 6 ; absent, 30 ; preparatory class, 71, St Patrick's school (boys) Oaaura Presented, 64 ; passed, 58 ; failed, 6 , excepted, 20 ; absent 5. 8t Mary's school (mixe i) Port Chaiman. Presented, 21 ; passed 16 ; failed, 5 ; excepted, 2 ; preparatory class, 12. 8t Mary's school (mixed) Gore. Presented, 26 ; passed, 25 , excepted, 1 ; absent, 16 ; preparatory class. 30. ; St Joseph's school (raise i) Q leenstowu. Presented, 30 ; passed, 20 ; failed, 10 ; excepted, 2 ; absent, 3 ; preparatory class, 17. St Patrick's school (mixeii) \rrowtow.i. Presented, 11 ; passed, 8 ; failed, 3 ; absent, 2 ; prepar itory class, 10. St Patrick's school (mixed) St Bathans. Presented, 15 ; passed, 14 ; failed, 1. The large proportion of passes recorded above is ample proof of the efficiency, as regards secular instruction, of these schools. Toe children's gentleness and self-control in the classroom and on the playground, the absence of roughness and lawless speech speak well for the discipline of the school system. Reverence for superiors and punctilious purity in onduct aTd speech are absolutely insisted npon ; precise and fixed moral and doctrinal instruction is given ; whibt devotion il acts sanctify the whole routine of each day and week. The influence of such training is so marked in the behaviour of the children that anyone seeing, and fit to appreciate, all the work doDe by the educational organisation of the diccese could not but declare with enthusiasm that tbis work far more than compensates for the labour and self-sacrifica of those who have built and maintained these schools. The failures and exceptions noted above have been, in most instances, due to irregular attendance. True, some of the schools were closed for weeks on ace Mint of influenza, still the caralessness of some parents and the necessities of more have had somethiog to answer for in this matter of irregular attendance. The parochial clergy, whose pains in helping the schools are unceasing, might profitably fix their attention for a time on this greatest of obstacles to progress — irregular attendance. Pubic exhortation and private advice would, no doubt, go a far way to awaken careless parents to a sense of duty and to inspire poor parent?, whose needs tempt them to avail themselves of their children's help at home, with resolution to struggle anJ give their little ones for a few yeira as much time as possible at school. The Beries of school books, etc, are well up-tc-ddte. Too much or too little attention does not appear to be given to any particular subject. The State Bchool syllabus is closely adhered to ; and this syllabus, as far as secular instruction goep, seems well suited to a new country like New Zaaland. Dr Gilmour'n translation of Bu6inger's Biblische Geschichte fdr Katlwiisclie Vulkschiuen might be introduced with advantage, especially into those schools in which the clergy, owing to want of time canr.ot give religious instruction repeatedly each week, lhat this work is well suited to its purpose is shown by its wide circulation. It is published in German, Bog-

lish, French, Spanish, Italian, Portugese, Polish, Hungarian, Dutch, Romansh and Breton.

The courtesy shown by the teachers, lay and religions, to th« examiner should not go without acknowledgement. They lightened hia labour very much. In almost every case they showed a conscientious anxiety that their work etaonld be properly inspected and that the examination should be thorough and honest. Hi* tbanka are also due to the parochial clergy for their kindly hospitality. They, also, with scarce an appreciable exception, helped him cheerfully during school boors in the troublesome work of supervision. Queenstown, December 27, 1894.