FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL .

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3025, 20 April 1926, Page 3

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL .

HEADMASTER’® ANNUAL REPORT.

The headmaster (Mr. Mason) presented the following annual report to last night’s meeting of householders: — It is with pleasure that I submit for your consideration and information my second annual report on the work of the school. The year 1925 began most inauspiciously. The long continued prevalance of the infantile paralysis epidemic prevented the schpol from opening until Monday, April 20th, and although from the point of view of public health this was a most necessary precaution yet from the education standpoint the long enforced vacation caused in many cases a decided set back. Generally speaking it was noted that those pupils who responded reasonably to the call to work by correspondence which was instituted showed at the end of the year a more sound grounding in their work than did those who failed to respond or who did so in a haphazard and spasmodic manner. A serious handicap to the work of our school is the ever changing roll. The present roll number at the main school is 407. Since I took charge of the school in September 1924 no less than 219 pupils have been enrolled and a corresponding member withdrawn. Allowing for the usual withdrawal due to passing standard 6 and the new admissions of infant pupils, the balance indicates a high percentage of what might be termed a floating school population. The Beach School shows an even greater fluctuation than the main school, but this is due to the fact that during theiJsnmmer season siumbers\)f .families are temporarily resident at the Beach, the children attending the school during the time of the residence. Nevertheless, on the whole, the work of both schools has proceeded very satisfactorily, and at the end of the year the averago number of promotions was able to be made throughout all classes. From funds raised at the school concert held in December 1925, and subsidized by the Department, graduated class libraries have been established in all classes. Theso have proved a great boon and it is hoped that these libraries will be maintained, for the educational value of good reading cannot be over-estimated. Changes on the teaching staff were less frequent last year than have been the case for some years, and this fact is something to be grateful for. The etablishment of a District High School in our town is a decidedly progressive move, and. I sincerely trust that the parents of Foxton and its environs will give the new institution their fullest support. This event marks an epoch in the educational history of the commuity, and it behoves the incoming Committee to see to it that every facility in the form of a suitablej fully equipped building, adjoining the present primary building is obtained in the near future.

The present roll number of the Secondary Department is 35, last quarter’s average attendance being 35.6. So long as an average attendance of 31 or more is maintained two specially qualified assistants will be employed in .this department. The senior position has already been definitely filled by the permanent appointment of Mrs M. C. Price, M.A.j whose high scholastic attainments together with her long experience as a secondary teacher stamp her as being the right person for the position she holds and I consider that Foxton has been extremely fortunate in obtaining her services. The junior position has not yet been definitely filled, but it is hoped that before long a permanent appointment will be made.

I regret to note the poor response made to your Committee’s efforts to establish a Dental Cinic in connection withl the school. Despite the fact that the parents were twice circularized in regard to this important matter, only 10 pupils were enrolled. Such a poor response is most discouraging, but I sincerely trust that as the scheme becomes more widely known and understood, more parents will avail themselves of its decided advantages. The destruction of the Town Hall by lire leaves our school without a room for cookery classes, and this loss brings forward the question as to whether or not the time has arrived for agitating for the erection of a budding in the school grounds for the accommodation of both cookery and woodwork classes, for these latter have for some years been conducted in a tin-shed in Wlatson St., a structure which makes work extremely trying especially in hot weather. In fact if I may be pardoned for so doing, I would like to suggest that this meeting of householders instruct the incoming committee to give the matter of the consolidation of all our school buildings early and careful consideration mith a view to formulating a definite scheme for submission to the Education Board. The present scattered nature of the various buildings in which work is being conducted under my supervision is certainly not satisfactory, and while these buildings meet the temporary needs of - our school, this condition of things should not be perjnitted to obtain for any length of time. If the best results are to be obtained for our children the people of the district must see to it that every facility is provided to uieet its educational requirements.

United and persistent endeavour is required, and I trust that before the next twelve months have elapsed, great improvements in the direction indicated will have been effected.

The work at the side-school, in charge of Misses Clover and Young lias steadily progressed. Although hampered as pointed out above, these two young teachers have worked earnestly and conscientiously.

The hall in which the school is held is most suitably adapted for class-rooms and there is ample room for that freedom of movement especially essential in infant work.

The school is well-equipped with the necessary furniture, materials and graduated class-libraries. This year I have been able to visit this school more frequently than heretofore, and I believe these visits will result in improvement in both discipline and the standard of work done.

Throughout the year, despite the outbreak of minor epidemics the attendance at the two schools has maintained a very high level working out at 92 per cent, of the average roll. I feel that I should before closing this report make some reference to the work of Sir James Parr, High Commissioner elect, and late Minister of Education in New Zealand. During the period that Sir James Parr held this important portfolio, Foxton obtained its present up-to-date school building—one of the finest in the country today. It has been part of Sir James’ policy to provide when necessary the best possible structures within the limited means at his disposal, and the fine buildings during his regime indicate the tremendous importance attached by him to the work of education in all its aspects. But this is not the only direction in which great advance has been made during the past decade, for the educational system itself has been quietly, but perceptibly undergoing a gradual evolution, and throughout the whole Dominion we find ample proof that our country’s educational interests have been in good and capable hands and every effort is being put forth to bring the whole system to the very fore-front of the educational system throughout the world.

In conclusion I wish to express my sincere thanks to the members of the Committee for their interest in and efforts on behalf of the school, during the period just ended, particularly I wish to express my personal thanks to them for attention given to matters pertaining to the comfort of my household, namely the concreting of the backyard of and the installation of electric lights in the residence. It has been a real pleasure to be associated with them during the year for the most cordial and harmonious relationships have existed throughout and I trust will long continue.

To the members of the teaching staff who have rendered loyal support and faithful service and to all who have in any way shown an interest in the school and its work I also tender my heartiest thanks, and once again I wish to express to al, both children and aduts, the sincerest thanks for, and appreciation of the deep sympathy expressed and shown to me and my young family at the time of our sad bereavement.