WAITAKI BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 February 1909, Page 1

WAITAKI BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

IHF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

The December term nunibor of the U'aitakian, the .Magazine nf the Waii;iki Boys' High School which is so well ami widely known as a successful factor in the education world is replete with ili.- history of (he school since 11 s formation but deals very largely with the past year which is nf special interest U> Croymouth peo|)lo as several pupils from here unattending iii>' school. The leading function was held in the Theativ, Oainai'U, when members of the Board

■>f Governors wens present besides all th" pubils and teaching staff.

Mr V Milner M.A., Hector of the School stated in his report that, the current year like its predecessor had Imv n one of gratifying expansion and iniii'hment. The aggregate enrolment for the year was 192 and Iho average attendance 175. Two vears ago the total roll stood at 89." This has Ixon duo t<> tin' expansion of the boarding department which was now levying toll on the whole of the dominion, fn the third term of 1906 there were but 3ft boarders; in 1907 it rose to 69 and closed in DeccmIkt lasl with 127. There were 140 applications for enrolment in the pics iiil term A view residential wing had been erected capable of boarding 70 pupils and four masters, besides providing two class rooms, large library, boarders sitting loom, orchestra room, Prefecto's study, locker room, bath room, football dressing room and armoury. Inter alia Mr Milner says: "I refuse to subordinate altogether my conception of education in the examination fetish. I can honestly say that in several subjects we are working out on educational ideas without, paying much deference to the instructions imposed on us by a rigid examination .system. The extravagant importance attached t>> their magnificent "passes" of course necessitates a certain amount of specialisation but 1 want to emphasise the fact that on the linguistic side in particular i* is our aim to cultivate a true .sense of literary appreciation." Ho proceeds in a very scholarly manner to explain the methods adopted and which have proved so eminently successful as the roll of old boys that have graduated to the Universities shows many of them have distinguished themselves in their respective spheres as enumerated at considerable length. The evening was marked by the congratulatory speeches and closed with an orchestral concert, at, which Master Eric Moss and 0. A. Roul with others distingueshed themselves. The -Magazine devotes pages to the doings of the various sports and athletic organisations and makes excellent reading as it. shows how well tho healthy physical development of the boys is attended to.