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The junior class consisted of 12 males and 23 females, the majority of whom passed the entrance examination, and received the maintenance allowance. The others, though falling short of the comparatively high standard fixed for the entrance examination, showed sufficient ability to warrant their being admitted to training, but without maintenance. The first year's course includes all that is requisite for Third Class Certificate examination, and, in addition, preparation for several of the special subjects required for that of Second Class. In addition to the prescribed course, several of the juniors took classes at the University, having satisfied me that they could safely undertake the additional study. This may be done with advantage by pupil-teachers who have taken Latin and mathematics as their optional subjects, and I would strongly recommend that to male pupil-teachers one at least of these subjects be made compusory. Although the Normal School staff is prepared to undertake a complete course for Second Class Certificates, I consider it advisable that advantage should be taken by the seniors of the facilities for Btudy afforded by the University. At my suggestion the Board of Education sanctioned the acceptance of a Professor's " pass" in English, Latin, and mathematics, in lieu of examination in these subjects by Inspectors. As the suggestion was made pending further regulations, it was limited to the subjects actually being taken by our students. Having in a previous report expressed my opinion on the value of this provision, I shall here only express the desire of seeing it embodied in our new regulations, and extended to as many subjects as possible, so that, while attending the Normal School, students may take their first steps in the University course towards graduating. It will be seen by the appended list of the staff and allotment of work that I have freely availed myself of the valuable services of Mr. Montgomery and his teachers in conducting the Training Department. In return lam able to assist Mr. Montgomery in the management of the Practising Department, and to devote a large share of my time to the superintendence of the students while teaching—a duty which in our circumstances is of the utmost importance. This arrangement enables me also to bring my lectures on Organization, Discipline, and Method to bear directly on work actually being done, and to supply full opportunity for putting theory into practice under efficient guidance. In this portion of my work I am ably supported by Miss Huie and Mr. Montgomery. The female students are thoroughly trained in cutting, fitting, sewing, and knitting under Miss Fitzgerald, and take charge under her of the whole industrial work of the school. Excellent work is being done by Mr. Hutton, of the School of Art, and his assistant Miss Wright. Many of the students have succeeded in taking certificates for freehand, model, geometrical, and perspective drawing, and most of them will be able to teach drawing on completing their course. It is the intention of the Government that " provision should be made for the instruction in military drill of all boys, and, in such of the schools as the Board shall from time to time direct, provision shall also be made for physical training." Am pie provision for instruction of student sin military drill has been made in the Normal School, but apart from it there is no provision for physical training. Such training, especially in conjunction with a knowledge of physiology and the laws of health, would be most valuable to teachers, both male and female; and I would strongly urge upon the Board the erection of a completely-furnished gymnasium, which would also serve tbe purposes of a drill-shed, a practising-room for small classes under students, and an assembly hall for the school. It would also be necessary to appoint a properly qualified gymnast, who by means of Saturday classes might give instruction not only to Normal School students, but also to teachers and pupil-teachers. By this means qualified instructors might soon be found in every school, and the risk's attendant on the practice of gymnastics without due supervision would be avoided. I beg again to bring before the notice of the Board the urgent need of two small model schools— the one similar to a side school with 30 pupils of all standards, under a male teacher ; the other similar to the infant department of an ordinary district school, with 50 pupils in the First and Second Standards, under a female teacher. Should these be granted, Room No. 10 might be organized as a school with 60 pupils in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Standards, under a master and pupil-teacher, and depending for sewing on the mistress of the Model Infant School. In view of the preparation of a new syllabus for the training and examination of teachers, my experience as a student and as a teacher leads me to make the following suggestions. Pupil-teachers who have completed their course, and candidates who have passed the Normal School entrance examination, have already spent a large portion of their time at the study of geography ; and, even after prosecuting it further, they will not venture to give a lesson on the subject without special preparation, or that poor substitute for it, the text-book in the hand or on the reading-stand. The value of the study as a mental discipline is comparatively low, and its place in the Third Class Syllabus might with great advantage be taken by a language or a science for male students, and domestic economy for female students. I would suggest, also, the division of the Normal School year into Summer and Winter Sessions, each terminated by a final examination in certain subjects. This would limit the number of subjects demanding attention at one time ; and, should the Winter Session correspond with that of the Otago University, it would enable students to give almost undivided attention to subjects taken at that institution. I have, &c, Tbe Secretary of the Education Board. W. S. Fitzgerald, Rector. Staff. Rector: Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald. Matron: Miss L. A. Fitzgerald. Headmaster of Practising School: Mr. A. Montgomery. Training Department. Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald : Theory and practice of school management, arithmetic, mathematics, history. Mr. A. Montgomery: English. Mr. J. Lindsay: Geography. Mr. Beuchler: French. Mr. W. Millar: Vocal music. Mr. D. Hutton and Miss Wright: Drawing. Miss L. A. Fitzgerald: General superintendence of female students ; cutting, fitting, and sewing. Sergeant-Major Stevens : Military drill.
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