HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 14

HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD

MEETING OF GOVERNORS The High Schools’ Board of Governors held its first monthly meeting for the year yesterday afternoon. Those present were; Dr G. E. Thompson (chairman), Mrs S. M. Park, Messrs J. J. Mallard, J. M. Gallaway. W. R. Brugh, and the Hon. D. T. Fleming. Acounts amounting to £4,188 18s 9d (two months’ accounts) were passed for payment. This included January’s salaries to the value of - £1,686 17s 6d, which had already been paid. Dr Thompson and Mr Mallard were re-elected chairman and treasurer respectively. The various committees were also reappointed, the chairman remarking that there had been no change in the personnel of the hoard. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Education Department stating that a grant of £6l had been approved towards the cost of permanent science apparatus for the Otago Boys’ Higli School.—Received. A letter was received from the Education Department, stating that a subsidy of £SO towards the purchase of a motor lawn mover for the Boys] High School had been approved.—Received. Mr Carl Ruhen wrote congratulating the board upon the efficient staff at the Otago Boys’ High School, and thanking the rector and staff for the interest taken in his son.—Received. The Secretary reported that provision had now been made in the regulations regarding incidental expenses of secondary schools, which permitted the expenditure of an amount approved by the Minister in connection with school breaking-up ceremonies; also, that the regulation relating to the length of the school year had been amended by reducing the number of half-days on which secondary schools must be open during the year from 385 to 380.—Received. RECTOR’S REPORT. The Rector of the Boys’ High School reported as follows“ The total number of new pupils up to the present date is 236, against 257 at the corresponding date last year, and 248 in 1926. Of this total 223 are holders of junior free places, nine hold senior free pjaccs, and four (two juniors and two seniors) are paying pupils. The number of hoys now beginning their secondary course is 220. The number of hoys returning from last year was considerably larger than anticipated, and more than compensated for the diminution in tho entry of new boys. It now stands at 481 against 451 at the corresponding period last year. The total roll is thus 717, against 703 on March 1, 1927. The numbers for March 1, 1924-26 wore respectively 622, 646, and 680. It is matter for gratification that the increase was not larger, as we could ill manage to accommodate another class. The position next year will probably be difficult. An old boy of the school, Mr George Craig, Secretary of Customs, was awarded the C.M.G. among His Majesty’s list of New Year honors. He has our henrty_ congratulations on this well-earned distinction.” Tho Chairman remarked on the fact that there was a slight falling off in the entries at both schools, but said that this was made up for by the larger number of old pupils who had stayed on. Mr Callaway said ho had heard it conjectured that the decrease in the rui-ter of new entries was duoto the falling off of tho birth rate during the war. The report was adopted. LADY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The Lady Principal’s report read:— " The enrolment of new pupils is smaller than at any time during the last five years, for which there may be various reasons in addition to the usual fluctuations of school numbers. Some of them are: Hard times (unemployment or financial stringency); lack of openings in the teaching profession; general difficulty of placing girls in callings for which a high school education is desirable; reduction of the first year commercial course. Tho board’s proposal to discontinue shorthand and typing in the first year has been a good deal commented on. So far as I know, the reinstatement of shorthand has not ho-in published in the newspapers,_ and there was—and probably still is—a general impression that the first year commercial girls are deprived of both subjects. Trie regular work of the school began on Wednesday, February 8. Miss Sutton has taken up her duties, and all other members of the staff returned to them apparently in health and vigor.” The report was adopted.