SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2174, 25 April 1908, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

GISBORNE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL-

Tho annual meeting of the Gisborno ■School Committee was held last- evening. Present: Mr. J. Somervell (chairman), the Rev. AV. Grant, Messrs. Darton, Blair, Spence. Mr. Rowlev (head master) was also present. ‘The following report was read and adopted, and . will be placed .before tho meeting of householders to ho hold on Monday evening: “Your committee -has to report that the past vear lias been a very satisfactory one for the. school, one o changes and difficulties, ,vot or solid and effective work. Oi the committee you elected last year, Mr. A. Fro in in resigned, having removed from the district, and becoming thus ineligible. Your committee elected Mr. Geo. Wildish to take Ins place. Some important changes have been made in the staff. The vacancy caused by Mr. Morice’s resignation in March last year was not -filled till August, when Miss Jessie Brown was appointed to the position. Mr. A\ aucTioj), who for fivo years had acted as assistant master, left at tho end ol Juno to take charge of the Makaun school. The committee placed on. record its appreciation of Mr. A\ auclmp’s valuable services during tho time lie was connected with tho stall. Mr. Cowan was promoted to Mr. AVaucliop’s nosition, and Mr. Olsen to .Air. -Cowan’s. Mr. Powell was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Olsen’s nromotion, but has since left-to take up work in tho Church, and tlie-position is still vacant. Misses filleeii and Ambridgo, pupil teachers' on tho staff, left at tho closo of tho year t 0 enter training colleges, and Aliss Puflott, of the AVellington Training College, was appointed aspointed assistant mistress in their places. Alios H. Gow, ALA., assistant mistress in Ike Secondary Department, was unable to take up her work at the'berhii: g of this year owing to ill-liea’lli; and has since been compelled to rtJgn her appointment. Mbs M . l i * sit, 8.A., of Timaru, has !)?"n ape luted to fill tho vacancy. Du nig ‘.' .o year the various vacancieson tli • itaff* have been filled temper,arih 1 y -Messrs. Morice, AVarburton, and I’arnby, and Aliss L. Morgan. “The attendance during the year ending December 31st, 1907, was on the whole very satisfactory. The prevalence of sickness during the third quarter reduced the average considerably, but by regulations under the Act that quarter was amt allowed to affect tho staffing or the salaries of the teachers. Tlie average for tho year was: Primary department 713, secondary department 29, total 742; and the average roll—Primary 'department 822, secondary department--32, total 854; so that tlie percentage of attendance was 86.9. During the year the roll number varied from 837 to 889. The average for the year ending December 31st, 1906, was 796 in the primary, department and 33 in the secondary department; total 529. Tho fall last year was due t 0 tlie opening of the Kniti school. During tlie first quarter of this year the average attendance has been : Primary department- 735, secondary department 54, total 792, and the roll at the end of March: Primary department. 549, secondary denartinent 59, total 908.

“The secondary department shows a marked improvement this year, tho roll on March 31 -being 59, as compared with 30 111.1907, and 42 in 1900. Tho number of children from the country schools attending our secondary'department is still disappointing, probably because the advantages of the school are not sufficiently known among country people. Tho Board of Governors havo done what they can to advertise the school, and last year issued a prospectus, which was distributed widely throughout the district. Copies of tlie prospectus lie on the table. In spite of this, only five children joined the school from country schools, four of wSoin wero from one school, AA’aerenga-a-liika; four others camo from tho suburban schools in Alanganapa and Kaiti. J

“The plan adopted four years ago of giving medals for regular attendance continues to bo of the greatest assistance in encouraging regularity, and there is a growing eagerness on the part of the children to win this distinction. Silver medals are given to tlioso who do not miss one half-day in tile courso of the year, and gold medals to those who have won five silver medals. One hundred children qualified for the silver medal this year, and one, Miss Ivy Morrison, for the gold medal. Though this number has fallen a. few short of the previous year’s, if tho epidemics that prevailed last year aro taken into account, it must ho acknowledged that last year’s result is the more creditable. That the attendance at this school is improving is shown by tho following percentages of attendance, calculated on the average roll number for each-year:—l9oo, 81.2: 1901, 85.4; 1902, 83.3; 1903, 81.9; 1904, 54.3; 1905, 86.8; 1906, 85.5; 1907, 86.9; 1908 (first, quarter, not generally a-good quarter), 88.1. The years 1903 and 1907 were years of epidemics. “The school continues to gain a good share of scholarships. The following are the successes gained : Senior Board scholarships: Geo. Redpath, who qualifier!, but was granted an extension of his .Junior National scholarship, and May Moore. Junior. Board scholarships: William Grant, Colin Anderson, Elliot Hookey, Albert Rliinesinitli, Reginald Scarfe. Seven others also qualified for scholarships. “Two gold medals were offered this year by the Caledonian Society and •Mr. F. Harris for tho boy and girl of tlio Poverty 'Bay district who should stand highest in the Inspector’s examination for Standard G. Albert Rliinesinitli, of this school; was the winner among the boys, closely followed by Archibald Adair, also of this school. The medal for the best girl went to the Matawliero school. “Geo. Rcdpath, Noel’ Bull, and William Dunphy, of the secondary department, Were successful in passing the matriculation. Miss K. Morgan, a pupil teacher on the staff, also succeeded in passing the same examination. Miss H. Hogg, another pupil ■teqehor, completed her teacher’s D certificate, with special mention in writing. *■ “Junior Civil Service: Three candidates, May Moore, Geo. Rcdpath, and William Dunphy passed with credit. “The inspectors have paid two visits to the' school during the year, their annual visit in October and their inspection visit in March. In their report on their October visit they state that the efficiency of the school is “highly satisfactory.” “In December*they held the annual examination of Standard 6, when tlio school made a very creditable appearance. 59 gained proficiency certificates, tho higher certificate entitling the holder to free secondary education, and 15 gained competency or pass certificates. The inspectors expresssed pleasure at tlio quality of tho work done by our pupils. , _ “In May last the school was visited by h.is Excellency the Governor, Lord Pliuiket, who was received and ■welcomed by your chairman and Mr. de Lautouiq and conducted round the school by the headmaster. Tile Minister for Education also visited the school when on his recent visit to Gisborne in February. “In accordance' with the wishes of the householders expressed at the last-annual meeting, -the school hours were modified to tiv;ble the Voluntary Bible Tcachv.y Association /to establish classes in the school during the first half-hour o:i pile day in each week. Tlio secretary of the association and the headmaster, on the authority of your committee, selected Monday as the most suitable day. We are pleased to be able to report that the arrangement has worked quite smoothly, and that, owing to tho tact of the voluntary teachers and their zealous attention to their honorary duties, there has been no friction' of any kind with the school authorities or tho teaching staff. “The library continues to be a very popular institution in the school, as well as a most valuable means of improving the literary tastes and of widening the reading of the pupils of the school. Mr, Cowan is acting as

librarian, and by keeping a zealous watch over the books and tho readers, ho is able to report that all.his books are accounted for. A\ r e wish to recommend this branch of the school to futuro committees as worthy of encouragement and financial support. “Tho cadet movement continues to prosper in tho school. Wo -liavo at present three companies, commanded bv Captains Kinder, .Leslie, and Olsen respectively! and the total roll number'is 212. These throe companies, combined with companies from the suburban and country schools, form the- No. 3 Battalion-of tho Hawke’s 15av Educational District, of which the staff officers are .Major Kinder, Adjutant Conan, and Quartermaster Leslie. The Trafalgar me-, dal, presented by Air. J. Townloy for tlu; highest score in shooting, was won l,v Allan Rice. ••Arbor Day was observed in tin’s f chr.ii on August 22m1. A belt of trees.was planted, extending from tlto f--rut free over 100 yards down the playground, and consists of native trees, most of which aro doing very we!-!. Tho belt has been fenced off from the playground by a strong fence, and doubtless will in a few years be an .ornament to the playground, as well as a valuablo means of instruction. Tho thanks of the householders are duo to Mr. Darton, who supervised the whole of the work, and obtained gills of much of tho fencing material, soil, and trees from friends of the school, so that a subsidy from the Board of Education completed the work free of cost to the committee, and who gave lessons to the children in the planting of the trees, and, subsequently insuch work as'laying out a lawn.l At the beginning of this year tli& school was connected with the borough water supply. Tho Board of Education is paying part of tlie cost, Imfc the amount they shall pay is still under discussion. Some of the reservoirs for rain water should be filled in', particularly one in tho boys’ playground, which is-ill a very unsightly condition. “The construction of tho hath is now in hand, tho concrete portion boing nearly completo. The work is being done' by day labor, Air. C. Taylor being foreman in charge. Air. H, J. Brownlee, the architect, has given considerable attention to the question of strongth, and the bath as constructed under his directions should be everlasting. The material is 1 in 5 concrete, and in tho deeper parts the walls and bottom are fortified with expanded iron, and the bottom is still further strengthened with slcepor walls, and the sides with buttresses. The inside measurements of the bath are 75 feet by 30 feet. A strong works sub-committee, consisting of’ Alessrs Somervell, Brown, and Colley lias been formed to act in conjunction with the architect. Tho funds collected to date amount to £3lB, and further promises have yet to conic in.

“During the year a second social was held in aid of tlie Bath Fund, anil just over £IOO was handed over to the treasurer. The Salvation Army offered us a contribution to the Batli Fund, half the net proceeds of an afternoon and an evening performance of their Biorama. Unfortunately tho weather was very bad, anil the attendance- in consequence disappointing, but Adjutant- Dickons paid the sum of £3 into the fund. Tho Borough Council paid their promised subsidy of £25, anil tho Harbor Board have voted one of £lO. On all these moneys the Education Department grants a subsidy of £ for £. The Borough Council havo also agreed to supply tho water free; it must, however, be. tho care of tlie School Committee of the future to see that no inconvenience to tho householders of tho borough is caused in the filling of the bath. The thanks of tho householders of the district are due to all those who helped to make the social a success, to the Salvation Army, the Borough Council, the Harbor Board, and the other subscribers to'the l iiipi. There seems no reason to doubt that the bath will bo ready in the early spring. “Classes havo .been carried on in? the technical school as in previous years. Classes from this school havo biien held under Air. Levey in woodwork for boys, in cookery anil dressmaking under Aliss Lousley for girls, and in practical science, viz-, physical measurements, heat, mill chemistry, for both boys and girls, under the ordinary staff of tlie school. Tho Technical Committeo consists of tho members of the School Committeo and of the Board of Governors. Appended to this is their annual report. “The Bay Public Schools Amateur Athletic Association is an institution established by the school teachers of the district to encourage athletics in our schools. Their annual sports were held ip November last year iii the College Grounds at AVaercngaja-hika. This annual,' ‘fixature is looked forward to with eagerness by the school children, and the meeting was, as in the past, a success. Undoubtedly the Association is doing a good work, and deserves every encouragement from the parents 'and tlie school authorities. This year in tlie Schools Cup Competition the Gisborne School was pitted against all the other schools in the district, and failed to win tho cup again. The cup for the greatest number of points scored by any one,.boy was allotted t<j Alaster Gore Porter, of this school. “Tlie school football team visited Napier in August last, under the charge of Air. Cowan, and played teams from tho High School and tlie Old Boys of the Public School. Our boys were beaten in both matches, as they were overmatched in weight. AVe aro pleased to be able to report that their behavior on tour was highly satisfactory. Your Committee is of opinion that such trips as this, under proper supervision, are very beneficial to our boys, developing in them a spirit of honor and a feeling of responsibility, for they avo trusted, and the good name of the school is in tlieir hands.

“Air. 11. DcCosta again presented a medal for the ■ most popular boy in the school, anil another one was presented for the most popular girl. The selection was -made on the vote of tho children of tlie upper standard and tho secondary (Ipjiartmeiit, the previous year’s -winners standing aside. Ivy AlcCoimell and Archibald Ailair were the winners, and His Excellency the Governor was good enough to present the medals on the occasion of liis visit to tlie school.

“On the table will bo fquqd copies of tlio last-, issue of . this magazine, which is edited by tlio children of the secondary department, j Jar. Kinder is responsible for this paper, as it is ■owing to his enthusiasm and energy that ~it was started and lias been brought to its present excellent standard. Your committee would strongly recommend it to the householders as a school institution worthy of support. Ifs existence lias on more than one occasion been threatened oil account of lack of subscribers. Encouragement from the parents and old pupils would urge the children to excel themselves and their predecessors. A strong school paper, moreover, will encourage a spirit of pride in the school, and loyalty to it, which it should be the aim of all who have the interests of the school at heart to encourage. Dr. 801 l during this month very generously gave a lecture entitled “Eighteen Months in Arctic Canada,” in aid of the funds of the magazine, and the success which attended liis effort has- put them oil a firm basis for this year. Your Committee recomnieiul a vote pf thanks to Dr. Bell and als o'to Mr. Boynton, who supplied and successfully worked the l:uitenp “The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year is appended. Tlic past two years have brought expensive work, such as asphalting and water supply, which have caused a great strain oil the finances of ting school, and which could not have been undertaken by the Committee without assistance from the Board of Education. The statement shows a balance of £55 18s sd, but against that must- bo placed an unestimated amount. of liability Which may absorb nearly the whole of'the balance. “The thanks of your Committee are due to Mr. Rowley and his staff for their zpal ami attention to tlieiv duties during the past year. The high standard of the school us reported by the Insnector is undoubtedly dug to their cljorts.

“iii handing back tlieir stew;' [ship to tho householders, your Committee feel gratified that tho school lias continued during tlieir term of office to maintain a high state of efficiency, and that the parents of tho district, have every reason to bo proud of it, both on account of the conditions o', work', tho buildings and the playgrounds, and on account of the woi * that is being .dono by the school.” The balance-sheet showed : Receipts Capitation grant £lB2 2s, special grants £SO (is, and voluntary contributions £54 13s; and the expenditure, cleaning and fuel £9l, repairs £29 7s, special grant £4O, general expenses £lOl 7c Gil. TECHNICAL CLASSES.

“In conjunction with the Education Board of Hawke’s Bay, school classes in woodwork (under Air Levey), cookery (Aliss Lousley), and dressmaking (Airs. Thomas), were carried on during tl:e year, lit- which pupils from the following schools attended free of cost: Gisborne, Kaiti, Alangapupu; Afakauri, AVaoroiiga-u-luka, Ormond, Ivaitaratalii, To lYaraku, Patutaii; To Ami, Alaraotaha, and Alatawliero. The pupils as a whole appeared to enjoy the change from books to manual instruction. Tim work' il. i.e was very satisfactory, and was f.r. < rably commented on by All'. Isaac, Technical Inspector, who visited t'le school during the year. Tho mstri.oI ion in dressmaking appears to appeal most strongly to the girls and tniir parents, owing, probably to tho laet that at tho end of the session each girl is able to take home a finished article, which she has cut out at• i finished herself. The work done by tlie girls from flic country is forwarded to. tfiefhoadmaster, who invites (be ]ianoils tfn visit tho school rml inspect all the garments, anil ’he reports furnished tho secretary by tho masters show that the mothers aro well pleased with the instruction given. In woodwork the senior boys made some very useful articles, whi. h they were allowed to take home will them. Special classes in Engiisu, book-keeping, typewriting, sho.-.'i.i 1 1, vocal music, woodwork and ’v. oil carving, wero also carried on, the attendance at some of which was-ra-ther disappointing. It seems' a I'My that- parents and young people do not realise more fully tlie ulvantages to he gained by attending these classes. Our thanks are due to tho ialiens teachers for tlieir attention often under discouraging _ circunrtt.tii.tes. The Borough Council again gave t.s assistance with a donation.”