Appendix D.J

XIII

E.—2.

Ninety-nine students were enrolled during the year —twenty-two men and sixty-seven women. Forty-five in Division A and two in Division B were students of the second year. The new admissions numbered fifty-two, including one in Division B and one graduate. Two students were permitted to withdraw during the year, which ended with an "enrolment of ninety-seven. Of this number, nine were admitted on qualifications other than the Matriculation Examination. Further details are supplied in the statistics hereto attached. In accordance with the regulations nil the students have attended courses of lectures at Canterbury College either in English literature (first year) or in education (second year). A limited number of students took at least three full courses with the object of keeping College terms. The more advanced of these were able to do so, but several, who started the College year with high hopes, found before long that they were unequal to the double strain of University classes and Training College duties. During the second term they attempted a reduced programme of study, with the view of gaining a teacher's certificate of Class B. In the annual examination of Canterbury College those who sat for the second-year examination made a creditable appearance, and were more successful than the students who sat for the first year's test. Some of the latter had apparently made a bare pass in the Matriculation Examination, and they found the next step —the first College examination—more difficult than they had anticipated. The keeping of terms may fairly be attempted by students who are physically strong and have passed the Matriculation Examination with credit, but for the rank and file it is undesirable that a full course both at the Training College and the University College should be attempted. A less ambitious course, however, can be followed with profitable results, and one or two subjects can be studied at the University College, success in which will be recorded as partial qualification for a high certificate. Two students have signified their intention of devoting an additional year to their University course, with the aid of the bursaries open to those who have completed a course of training at a recognized training college. The arrangements made for the instruction of students and for practice in teaching that I found in operation on my appointment as Principal were continued without interruption during the remainder of the year. Any changes effected were in the direction of supplying further facilities to the students. Provision was made for daily practice in physical drill for a quarter of an hour. In the case of men students these exercises were supplementary to their military drill. The women students, instructed by Miss Inkpen, took a course in Swedish drill. The scope of training in vocal music has been extended by the inclusion of a glee class. Under the skilful management of Mr. Sidney Williamson most of the students have shown themselves actively interested members of this class, which presents one of the most pleasing features of the course of training. During the second term a class in English literature, supplementary to the lectures delivered at Canterbury College, was taken by the Principal. On the conclusion of the Canterbury College session a practical course of instruction in carton-work was given by the headmaster. Instruction in swimming, which in previous years was given to men students only, this year proved very attractive to the women students, forty-eight of whom were enrolled in the class ably conducted by Mr. G. E. Billson in the tepid water of the municipal baths. Almost all who attended acquired the art of swimming, and in the examination conducted by the officials of the Royal Live-saving Society six men and two women were awarded the bronze medallion, and five women students gained certificates of proficiency. In the class in ambulance and first aid, composed of second-year students, instructed by Dr. Inglis, thirty-five sat for and obtained the elementary certificate of St. John Ambulance Association. Other students who profited by attendance at some of the lectures were ineligible for examination owing to the fact that, through unavoidable interruptions, they were unable to attend the full course. For teaching-practice and observation of methods the hours from 9 to 12 a.m. have been allotted. The hours of teaching under skilled supervision have been periodically varied so as to widen the range of subjects in which experience is to be gained. As a general rule the firstyear students see the work of the preparatory and lower classes, the higher classes, including the secondary department and the Model School, being reserved for those in their final year. Students in Division B are admitted earlier in the year, and during part of the vacations, to do continuous observation and teaching, in order to make up the number of hours of practice required from those who have had no previous teaching-experience. In connexion with the daily practice, the students for the time being attached to a class have met every Monday to discuss with the class-teacher the work of the week and the methods to be adopted. This practice has proved an effective factor in the training of the students. Two criticism lessons, given in each week in a room specially constructed for the purpose to a class selected by the student teacher for the day, have provided further scope for observation and practice. The criticism is contributed by the Principal and the headmaster only, and the lesson is regarded only to a small extent as a test of the individual teacher's skill. It is given mainly for the benefit of the onlookers, as it affords incidentally a valuable opportunity for illustrating what is at other times dealt with in the lectures on school method and in those on the history and principles of education. The students of the second year take in succession a fortnight's continuous practice in the Model School as a preparation for service in a country school. The general health of the students, with but few exceptions, has been satisfactory. In the case of the women students the average of efficiency would be raised if they could bring themselves to make the most of the time available for outdoor exercise. The studies of a few students whose ambition was in advance of their physical capacity were interrupted by eye-strain, which necessitated a temporary cessation from night-work. This experience should serve as a warning to those who, in their desire to pass examinations at a University College, are tempted to ignore their physical limitations at the risk of seriously impairing their prospect of successful careers as teachers. A student who attains high University honours at the cost of permanently impaired health makes but a sorry bargain both for herself and for the country which employs her.