REPORT.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 174, 19 November 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

REPORT.

November 9th, 1880. To the Chairman of the Marlborough Education Board. £Ju> I have the honour to lay before you my Report ou the Mailboiougli Public Schools for 1880. I have examined nineteen schools, the flooded state of the rivers having hitherto prevented me from examining the remote little school at Kokerangu. It is the wish of the Board, however, that I should publish my report without waiting for the result of the examination of that school. The number of scholars on the rolls of the schools examined was 1122, 892 of whom were present at my examination. The number of passes was 505, giving a percentage of 78 for the district on the number presented for standards, 643. The age at which scholars pass the standar s being an important factor in determining the value of the Avork done, I have compiled a table showing the average age at which the pupils in each school have passed the several standards. I have also shown a\ hat is the average age for passing in the AA r hole district. As a rule, the schools did well this year ; though the state of a feiv—as will appear from my estimate of each school —was far from being satisfactory. Iheie ate also defects in the method of teaching common to most of the schools, which I shall point out. The schools hoAvever vary so much, that it is not easy to give such a general estimate of the degree of success with Avhich each subject is being taught as shall be equally true even of a large proportion of them.

The reading, on the whole, has improved ; the spelling being certainly far better than it was. The arithmetic of many schools is still weak—this being especially manifest Avlien a question is put in a form differing even slightly from that to Avhich the pupils have been accustomed. Thought would be stimulated and accuracy gained if teachers Avould exercise their scholars in sums set in the most varied forms. Geography is now fairly Avell taught in almost every school, Avhile the results of the examination in History Avere, taken altogether, better than those obtained last year. Lettcr-Avriting—among the most important matters that a child can learn—is evidently not practised enough. Not only are many of even the older scholars quite at a loss to express themselves clearly on the simplest subjects, but they have not been properly instructed in “ form that is, they do not know lioav to address or subscribe a 'letter properly. The handwriting in the different schools, with at most half-a-dozen exceptions, is still far from being as good as it ought to be, and as it would be if the requisite pains were taken I shall not cease to insist upon this point until I see a general amendment. Elementary science continues to be Avell taught. Singing by note is uoav taught, so far as I can ascertain, in one school only, Rcnwick; I make no account of singing by ear. DraAving forms part of the school-course in a few places; needlework being taught Avherever a mistress or assistant mistress is employed.

Before giving my usual summary of the present state of each school, I shall do what I canto correct a Avidespread misapprehension as to the quality of the instruction given in our public schools, and its probable effect both on the scholars themselves and on the cost of the system. It is broadly and very generally alleged—lst, That the kind of education given in our primary schools is such as to unfit children for their future Avork in life ; and 2nd, That expenses might be largely curtailed if the instruction Avere conlirted to the bare elements of reading, Avriting, and arithmetic. It Avill not be difficult to slioav that there are no good grounds for cither of these allegations. A practical test is, fortunately, readily applicable. Six hundred and forty-three children have this year been presented for examination in the Marlborough district. Of these no more than 21 have succeeded in passing the Fifth Standard, 21 having passed the Sixth, including nine scholars attending the High School. And there is no good reason for supposing that this number will be materially increased for some time. It follows then that the vast majority of the children Avho attend the primary schools Avillnot get beyond the Fourth Standard Avlien they leave school. Experience shows that their time, especially in the country, is too valuable to admitof their being retained at school much beyond their twelfth year, when this standard is usually passed by scholars of average ability. But all that the average boy carries away with him from school after passing the Fourth Standard may be summarised thus:—-He can read a passage of ordinary difficulty from a newspaper, not well, but intelligibly. He can Avritc a short letter on some simple subject in a legible hand, and probably without gross misspellings ; and lie knows enough of figures to be able to make out or to check a tradesman’s bill. As to the rest of his acquirements, no apprehension need be felt lest the scraps of geography, grammar, and history that he may have picked up should bo a serious obstacle to his success in life. It may lie assumed that a large proportion of the children ivho attend the Marlborough schools ivill be engaged hereafter in tho field or the Avorkshop. In neither of tiicse pursuits will the acquirements I have enumerated be found superfluous; nor, even if a little elementary science be added, Avill some knowledge of the principles on which a pump or a hydraulic press is constructed be found burdensome to a farmer ora mechanic. The danger of our children beiug overtaught may then, I believe, be regarded as a very remote contingency. Nor can I see how the cutting off of what arc termed the extra subjects, such as grammar and science, Avould materially lessen the total cost of primary schools. A teacher avlio is not competent to give instruction in these matters is hardly fit to be employed at all in our public schools ; and, as a matter of fact, teachers do not object to taking up two or three of these subjects, which, on the contrary, are regarded by many as a relief from the monotonous drudgery of grinding at the bare rudiments. The salaries of teachers whose work Avas restricted to teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic could not Avell be reduced bcloAV the neAV scale ; tho only difference, so far as they are concerned, Avould he that their work Avould be duller.

My own objection to attempting so many subjects is that they can rarely be taught effectively, especially in our smaller country schools, where there are many classes to one teacher. For this reason, mainly, I have formerly recommended the excision of history from our school course. So far, hoAvever, am I from sharing the apprehension that the children of this colony Avill be overeducated, that my only fear is lest, owing to the abridgemant of school-life —caused by bad roads, bad weather, sickness, and perpetual withdraAvals for homework —a large proportion of our youth should leave school Avit'n but a sorry equipment for the battle of life. I have written strongly and at length on this subjcct, because I feel Us paramount importance, affecting, as it docs, tho very foundation of our education system. I have much pleasure in adding to this general review of the literary work done in the Marlborough schools my favorable testimony to the behaviour of the children, so far at least as I have observed it on my former visit of inspection and during my Jato examination. The scholars, as a rule, struck me as being mannerly, well disciplined, and promptly obedient to orders—a matter in which they have improved perceptibly during the last two years. I subjoin a short estimate of the present state of each school : BLENHEIM HIGH SCHOOL. Mr Macklin. (Present 00 ; on roll 3-1.) Standard Avork : —On tho Avkole, this division of the Blenheim schools has greatly improved since last examination. I except from this general expression of approval the hoys avlio took up the Fourth Standard, seven of Avhom failed to pass. But all the scholars avlio tried the Fifth and Sixth Standards passed creditably in every subject. Not a single scholar in either of these two classes did badly in Arithmetic or Dictation, subjects in Avhich so many broke down last year. Their papers ou Grammar, History, and Geography were neat, quickly done,

and of good quality throughout. They also did Avell in Mental Arithmetic, fairly in Science. The reading Avas distinct, and well emphasised. Draivmg is taught. _ Special subjects : I tried the High School pupils iu Euclid and Latin on the day after the examination in Standards. The results of this examination were by no means so satisfactory at those obtained m the Standard Avork. Seven scholars attempted Euclid, the questions being taken from the first book. Three of the seven did fairly Avell, another very Avell indeed; the rest kneiv but little. In Latin, I found nine scholars m the upper class, Avhom'l set a paper taken from Smith’s Principia Latina part 1, as far as Exercise _o. I also set them to translate, viva voce , one of iEsop's fables, which they had prepared previously. I can only say of their Latin, that there Avas very little of it, that little being, moreover, of poor quality. lhere is a junior Latin class of ten boys, but these have not been long at work. BLENHEIM BOYS —Second Division. Mr Alloivay Major Martin. (Present GS ; on roll 53.) The children here did very badly this year A third of those presented in Standards Avere unable to pass, the failures being m the most irrmertant subiects Tne younger scholars broke doA\m in Beading and Spelling, the older ones m Spelling and Arithmetic. The Geography of the Third Standard scholars Avas worse than anything I have metfor some time. Nor could I discover that any other subject Avas so well taught as to compensate for the grievous deficiencies that I have pointed out. Extenuating circumstances are not wanting however so far as the teachers are concerned. It is only AVithm the last three months that a second assistant has been appointed, the 117 boys in this and the upper school having been previously under the chare-e of only two teachers. Under such circumstances, though it is easy enough to see that the school is in a backward state, to apportion the blame, or even to ascertain whether anyone is really blame-AVorthy, is a difficult matter. BLENHEIM GIRLS’ SCHOOL. Miss Macklin Miss Kate Macklin. (Present 58 : on roll 73.) The Avork of tho school Avas not so even as'tliat of last year, the failures in the First and Fourth Standards being more numerous than thev oiwht to have been. Only one of the 13 girls in the Third Standard knew anything of History. The Arithmetic of the highest class was weak, and the handwriting, throughout, AVith very few exceptions ill formed The first class ansivered badly iu Science. On the other hand, Reading, Spelling, and Geography ivere well taught, and the older girls acquitted themselves creditably in let ter-writing, so far as the matter ivas concerned. Sewing is, I believe, Avell taught. BLENHEIM JUNIORS. Mrs Macklin Miss Mary Macklin. (Present SG ;on roll 141.) No more than 15 of the 34 children ivho attempted the First Standard succeeded in passing Arithmetic and Reading proAung f n f nl to tho maioritv I cannot but regard this as a meagre result of the twelvemonth’s work. The small draft fitted for promotion to the upper divisions Avill not suffice to fill up the gaps m those schools sure to be made at the close of the year by the AvithdraAval of the older scholars. The teachers of the Girls’ school and of the loAver Boys’ school Avill therefore be compelled to take up largely the Avork of the First Standard, Avhicli ought to be done—and elsewhere is done-entirely in the preparatory school. This. I regard, as the most serious defect in the present organisation of the Blenheim schools. PICTON. Mr Harris Assistant, Mrs Robertson. (Present 81 : on roll 95.) The improvement in this school \vhich I noticed last year, continues, and is especially observable in the Reading and Handwriting The History papers of the older scholars Avere remarkably good. They also did fairly m Geography The letters on a given subject Avere very poor performances. Science and Needlework are both Avell taught. The behaviour of the children during the examination Avas exemplary. PICTON JUNIORS. Mrs Jones Assistant, Miss Mouat. (Present GS ; on roll 89.) Tho specialty of this school seems to be NeedleAvork, Avhich, as I Avas assured by the ladies Avho kindly undertook the supervision of this part of the Avork, is of excellent quality. The results of my own examination Avere not so satisfactory More than a third of those presented for the First Standard failed—an unusually large proportion at this early stage. Many of these, moreover, were bad The reading was especially faulty, the slug-song that formerly pervaded the upper division ot Picton school having now, apparently, settled among the juniors. lIAYELOCK. Mr Severne (Present 34 ; on roll 34.) In striking contrast Avitli the state of matters a feAv years a<*o when not more than half of the scholars appeared on the examination day, every child on the rolfwas in place before the appointed time. The scholars, ivho are alert enough now. acquitted themselves Avell the Avork being very even throughout. The reading Avas given Avith such good intonation as to deserve special mention. Science is taught fairly Avell, the Girls also receiving instruction in Needlework from Mrs Scvernc. HAVELOCK JUNIORS. Mrs Severne. (Present 4G ;on roll 5G.) The children here are carefully prepared for the upper school Many of the older scholars, hoAvever, attend very irregularly, and are, therefore, detained far too late in this division, the average age of those who passed the First Standard being over nine. TUAMARINA. Mr Peake. Assistant, Mrs ;Peake. (Present G 5 ; on roll 79.) Muck better results Avere obtained this year than at the previous examination. The Arithmetic of the upper classes is still scarcely Avhat it oiudit to he, but the improvement in Spelling, Geography, and Grammar is marked. Tho excellent form in Avhich the papers arc drawn up deserves special commendation. This neatness is found to be not incompatible Avith quick Avorking. Science is Avell taught, Needlework being carefully attended to. The organisation and discipline are exceptionally good. RENWICK. Mr Tissiman. Pupil Teacher, C. Barry. (Present GG ;on roll 75.) This school, as usual, passed an excellent examination. The Reading, Geography, and, above all, tho Penmanship, deserve special mention. The general neatness of the Avork, Avhich extends also to tk'e DraAving, is noteworthy Part-singing is remarkably Avell taught. Tho Arithmetic, this year, Avas only moderately o-ood ’ The pupil teacher is doing very good Avork, and reflects great credit on Mr Tissiman’s careful training. I was sorry to find that the girls had not got over the foolish habit of bursting into tears Avhen they failed, hoAvever slightly, in any point. GROVETOWN. Mr Andrews. (Present 43 ; on roll 59.) This school has actually retrograded during the pass twelve months Although the highest Standard attempted—the Third—is a grade beloAv Avkat Avat taken up in 1879, the per centage of passes is even beloAV the very moderate rate obtained last year. It is difficult to fAd any sufficient excuse for this state of things, except, perhaps, the irregularity Avitli which many of the scholars attend, the average for this year having been only GG per cent. There has been no change of masters for several years, and the age of the children presented for the several Standards is exceptionally high, the average for the First and Second Standards being 12 years. The scholars have not yet learned to Avork in silence, even on an examination day, Avhich augurs badly for the ordinary discipline. WAITOIII. Mr Everiss. (Present 59 ; on roll G 9.) There are more scholars here than ought, in fairness, to he placed under the charge of one teacher. By dint of extraordinary exertion, hoAvever, Mr Everiss has succeeded in passing all the 35 scholars presented. But although the Writing, Spelling, and Composition are of more than ordinary merit, the Arithmetic has already begun to suffer from the insufficiency of the time at the master's disposal for explaining so important a subject. The changes of "the scholars are unusually frequent, 47 new children having been admitted since last examination, 33 former scholars having left during the same period. The discipline is faultless. SPRING CREEK. Mr Squire. (Present 3G ;ou roll 48). The scholars avlio attempted the four First Standards here did just as badly this year as those Avho took up the same Avork last year did Avell. The failures Avere chiefly in Arithmetic and Geography, the Handwriting being also of inferior quality. On the other hand, the six scholars Avho tried the Sixth Standard passed most creditably in every subject. It is noteworthy that the average age of this class Avas over fifteen. Tho Reading was, on the ivkole, better, the Science Avorsc, than last year’s. Several specimens of DraAving Avere shown : one, by a girl, giving great promise. FAIRIIALL. Mr Amncr. (Present 31 ; on roll 36.) This school again passed a creditable examinationThe best points Avere Arithmetic, in Avhich there Avas only one failure, and letter-writing, which Avas of more than average merit. The Spelling Avas also good. Several matters, hoAvever, still require amending. The Reading is pitched in so low a key as to he almost inaudible, and the Copy-hooks of the younger children are carelessly Avritteu, and disfigured by blots. The scholars know' next to nothing of Science. KAITUNA. Mr Beck (Present, 25 ; on roll 28.) Much could not be expected from a school Avhich has changed its masters thrice Avithin twelvemonths ; three months intervening between the second and the third of these changes. The present master, Avho had been at work only two months Avhen I examined the school, appeared to be energetic and capable. The children, ou the Avliolc, did better than I had anticipated that they would, under the circumstances. This speaks Avell for the soundness of the former teaching. WAIRAU VALLEY. Miss Flower. (Present, 30; on roll, 33.) The young mistress of tins school has effected a marvellous improvement during her eleven months’ rule . I found the scholars, formerly so dull and backward, bright and intelligent, all hut two very young children passing in every subject. The Reading, Geography, and Arithmetic Avere far beyond my expectation. The discipline was all that could be desired Sewing is well taught.

MARLBOROUGH TOWN. Mrs Ckecsman. (Present 2G; on roll 33.) The work here is quite of an elementary character, the children being, for the most part, very young. One scholar only attempted the third standard. The work, so far as it went, was of good quality, especially the Reading and Spelling. Ike piopoition of scholars brought forward for Standards, (only 12 out of the 2G present,) mas absurdly sma , excuse being the irregularity of attendance. CANVASTOWN. Mr Hart. (Present, 25 ; on roll, 3G.) None of those presented for Standards found any difficulty in doing the work that they attempted. In point of age, however, all the scholars were a year, many two years, beyond the age at which the several standards are usually passed. I have no intention of depreciating the work of a zealous and competent teac’Gor, but simply wish to correct any erroneous inferences that might be drawn from the exceptionally high per centage of passes. IvAIUMA. Mr Robertson. (Present, 15; on roll, 15.) This school had been at work five months when I inspected it. The children, who seemed very apt, had made good progress during that short period. I have the honor to ; bc, Sir, Your obedient Servant, W. C. HODGSON, Inspector of Schools.

Table shoAving the Average Ages at which- Scholars have passed eacli Standard in the several Schools in 1880

Average Age at Avhich the Standards have been passed throughout the District of Marlborough in 1880.

Excoud of Passes made in the Marlborough Schools during 1880. Schools. d o o dd rQ O Hi «1 03 S H (=1 . r-> 0] T3 r g £ rt § £ <v 03 d Ph O 03 tO 03 C3 03 43 03 § C3 O Ph h 03 pH Standards. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. *rd 03.2 d Ph o 03 03 03 c5 Pi . i 48 P S 03 03 03 03 c3 Ph i C3 03 4^> 5h rj * 1 03 m 03 d Ph i Q) O 4J n d Ph © 03 rd 03 03 03 d Ph nd i 03 03 4^> * S Gd 03 03 03 d Ph • 03 03 ■+=> d. Ph o 03 u cfi ci Pm 9 1 *5 *6 1. Blenheim High School 2. Blenheim Boys’— second division 3. Blenheim Girls’ 4. Blenheim Juniors’ 5. Picton G. Picton Juniors’ 7. Havelock 8. Havelock Juniors’ 9. Tuamarina 10. Hemvick 11. Grovetown 12. AVaitohi ... ... 13. Spring Creek... 14. Fairhall 15. Kaituna 1G. Wairau Yalley 17. Marlborough Town 18. Canvastown ... 19. Kaiuma 34 83 73 141 95 95 34 56 79 75 59 69 48 36 28 33 33 3G 15 30 68 58 86 81 GS 34 46 65 66 43 59 36 31 25 30 26 25 15 29 68 58 34 81 35 28 17 50 55 27 35 31 22 18 22 12 20 1 22 46 45 15 68 23 27 15 46 43 18 35 20 20 10 20 11 20 1 75 67 77 44 84 66 96 88 92 78 66 100 64 90 55 90 91 100 16 13 34 35 17 10 14 10 15 4 1 3 8 7 11 1 li* 7 15 23 15 10 13 9 15 1 1 1 6 7 11 1 28 26 34 14 11 9 10 8 10 12 4 8 4 5 21 25 25 13 ii 9 5 8 6 10 2 8 3 5 17 13 33 10 i*7 12 7 9 5 5 8 6 1 4 12 10 31 io *16 8 4 9 4 5 6 6 1 4 14 7 6 *12 1 *6 7 *3 3 4 2 7 2 3 i’i i *4 3 *3 1 4 1 6 1 3 6 7 *3 i 6 "6 *3 5 5 *2 0 9 1 G ’ 6 11122^892 643 505 78 199 146 183 151 147 1126 1 G5 40 27 | 21 22 21

Sciiocr. Standard I. II. III. IV. V. VI. yr. ms. yrms.'yr. ms. yr. ms. yr. ms. yr. ms 1 Blenheim High School 12 9 13 3 14 1 2 Blenheim Boys', 2nd division 8 9 9 10 11 7 12 0 3 Blenheim Girls’ • •• s 9 9 11 11 3 12 4 ■i Blenheim Juniors 8 2 •• 5 Picton 9 10 11 G 12 4 12 3 6 Picton Juniors’ 8 3 • « 7 Havelock .. 10 b 10 0 11 0 12 0 8 Havelock Juniors’ 0 1 t 9 Tuamarina ... 8 1 9 10 10 0 11 S 12 8 10 Remvick 9 0 9 2 9 5 11 0 11 G 13 5 11 Grovetown ... S 7 11 11 12 0 • 12 Wait (hi 8 7 9 4 10 9 11 8 13 Spring Creek 8 4 9 G 11 G 13 8 13 0 15 2 1-1 Fairhall 7 5 9 0 10 3 12 15 Kaituna 14 0 9 0 12 0 12 8 ... 10 Wairau Valley 8 s 11 4 12 8 • •• 17 Marlboroughtown • •• 8 5 8 1 12 0 ... 18 Canvastown 10 1 11 9 12 G • •• ... 10 Kaiuma 12 0 * '

Standards. Ye? ”3 Months I 8 G 11 10 0 III 11 0 IV 12 1 V 12 0 VI H 1