Secondary Schools.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1922, Page 3

Secondary Schools.

r lIV TKI.UU It Al’ lI—PICK Pit ESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. May 19 The conference of representatives of ilu' Secondary Schools Teachers’ Association was continued to-day, when a number of remits, making recommendations in connection with superannuation were considered ami dealt with. The report of a committee appointed to deal with the questions of shooting and athletic competitions was brought up olid adopted. The committee reported that, broadly speaking, in regard to athletic roni|>etitioiis, they were unanimously el opinion that general competitions among secondary" schools were not in lie best inteiesis of the pupils, and should he discouraged ; also that no further trophies should he accepted for competition. This applied to such cups as the Riddiford Clip for cadets, and the Skerrett Cup for Association football. As regarded tho Moascar Rugby Cup, presented to the New Zealand Rugby Union by die New Zealand Mounted Division in Egypt, the committee while fully appreciating the sentimental reasons attaching to it, considered that the competition by secondary schools for this cup was detrimental to the best interests of the pupils, and that the New Zealand Rugby Union he asked to utilise the cups for another purpose. Re the HoathcoteWilliams Challenge Shield, for cricket, the finding of the committee was that ib the competition for this shield had la uclieial effects, and had done much to improve cricket in the schools, the competitions should continue on the same lines as at present.

A protest was made against u statement hv responsible persons who adversely compared the standard ol secondary education reached by pupils in New Zealand with those in England. Mr Cresswell moved and Mr F. -Martin Renner seconded a motion against snob a comparison of pupils, owing to rmliff.| dilleieiice in conditions, especially to the much earlier age when the ltngi'sb secondare course begins and affirming that the performances ot such New Zealand students as proceed Home and a mass of other evidence proved in the opinion of the conference that under the circumstances, the standard of work done in New Zealand schools compared favourably with England oi elsewhere. The motion was carried unanimously.