FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3747, 28 January 1928, Page 1

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

The above school re-opens on Wednesday next, February Ist, and for the guidance of parents of present and intending pupils of the secondary department, we publish the following information: —

Qualifications for Enrolment. — Holders of proficiency and endorsed competency certificates, whp were under 15 years of age, on December Ist last, are enrolled fvee of charge for three years and become the holders of what are known as Junior Free Places.

Pupils, who were over 15 years of age on December Ist must make application through the headmaster to the senior inspector for permission to be enrolled free of charge. Holders of standard 6 Competency Certificates may be enrolled but in their case a fee of ten shillings per quarter, payable in advance, is charged. Subjects taught. —The following subjects are taught at the school: English (including composition), grammar and literature. Arithmetic. —Mathematics (algebra and geometry; also French, history, geograpry, drawing.

Sciences. —General science, agriculture, home science, physics (light and heat). Book-keeping, shorthand, type writing, if suitable arrangements can be made, Latin if required, 'woodwork for boys, cooking and dressmaking for girls. Physical training and swimming. School games and sports will receive due attention as will the social life of the pupils. (See under).

(Courses and Examinations. — From the above mentioned subjects parents may select a general academic course or a special commercial course, thus in both cases certain definite subjects are compulsory. 1

The general academic course prepares for the matriculation examination which is the goal for which a pupil should aim, for the passing of this examination opens the way •to the professions, being the entrance examination to the university, where a student can take up any special course of study fitting him for his life’s work. The subjects to be taken if the Matriculation Examination is to be prepared for are-—English, mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry), French or Latin," one science (home science for girls, agriculture or physics for boys). Geography, history, drawing, (any two of the last three). The average pupil will taklj four years to prepare for this examination, but a bright, intelligent,' hardworking pupil can cover the course in three years.

’The general academic course also prepares for the public service entrance examination, the passing of which qualifies the pupil to become an applicant for a position in any Government department of the Civil Service.

The compulsory subjects for this examination are English, including handwriting, arithmetic and history. The other subjects are optional and there is a wide range from which to choose.

The commercial course’ comprises the following subjects: —English,including commercial correspondence, arithmetic, French, shorthand, book-keeping, science as for matriculation, history geography, typewriting. (See above). This course, which also prepares for the Public Service Entrance examination, takes 3 years to cover, but the industrious, intelligent pupil can cover it in two years. All first and second year* pupils must take woodwork in the case of the boys and cookery and dressmaking in the case of the girls. For third and fourth year pupils desirous of entering the teaching profession additional special classes are also available. The Senior Free Place.—On the ■completion of the junior free place or intermediate course as it is called, the pupil may be granted a senior free place, either on the recommendation of the senior inspector or by passing the intermediate 'examination, and entitles tne holder to free secondary education till the age of nineteen years. Enrolment. —When pupils are enrolled parents should know definitely what course is to be taken. Under no circumstances will a pupil be permitted to change bis course during the year, for such changes disorganize the work of the school and are not in the best interests of the pupil.

It is perhaps best to have as an objective some special examination. Public Service Entrance or Matriculation. For the preparation necessary for these examinations necessitates close application with consistent and steady work, while the passing of either especially of the

matriculation is an indication of a thigh standard of attainment and is an excellent testimonial of a pupil’s ability. In these days when secondary education is within the reach of all, it will be Teadily recognized that the child who is launched upon the world without some post-pri-mary training will be severely handicapped through life and' the Education Department strongly urges all parents to endeavour to give their children at least three yeais secondary training. 'Parents who cannot see their way clear to send their children for a definite period of years are strongly advised to enrol them in the secondary department until such time as suitable permanent employment can be obtained for them. It is infinitely better for such parents to keep their children "at school than to permit them to idle about with rfothing definite to do. The time at school, is profitably spent, while the discipline they are under and the moral and civic training obtained help to mould their character, making them better citizens in every way, and keeping them from the baneful influence of the street. The Social Life of the Pupils.. An effort will also be made during the coming year to cater for the social life of the pupils, by the holding at regular intervals of social gatherings, lectures, debates, etc. It is thus hoped to make the school the centre of the social life of the young people of the district, and in this aspect of the school activities it is hoped that pareinfs will ' co-operate. ■Not only will the fullest Attention be given to the intellectual side of the pupil’s training, but the eultur--1 al, moral and physical well-being of the young people will be the constant care of the staff.

iSchool Hours.—The school day. will be a little longer than that of the primary department and will begin at 9 a.m., carrying on with suitable intervals till 3.45 or 4 p.m. as the demands of the timetable may require. Preparation of Home Lessons. This will necessitate each pupil devoting earnestly and seriously from li to 2 hours daily to his work at home for five nights a week. In this matter it is hoped that parents will see that the necessary time is devoted to study by their children. This perilod should be definitely set aside for the purpose, for it is the steady, regular work that tells in the long run, and the habit Of study thus formed and engendered lays the foundation for future success.

.School Uniforms.—The school uniform will be as follows: —

Girls. —Navy blue gym. Costume with white blouse, light and dark blue tie, navy blue crush hat with school badge, light stockings in summer, black stockings in winter. B'oys.—Navy blue trousers, leather belt, grey shirt for school wear, white shirt for social and evening wear, light and dark blue tie, navy blue or black stockings with light blue bands. 'Skull cap with school badge.

It is hoped that all secondary pupils will be equipped with these uniforms by the time the High School building is completed —sometime in March, when the official opening will take place and .when it is hoped that all pupils will parade in uniform.

Reports and! Pareintal Co-opera-tion—At the end of each term— May, August and December, reports upon the work of the pupils will be issued to parents. These should be kept and compared and progress, conducts, etc., carefully noted.

, Parents are also earnestly recommended to co-operate with the headmaster and his staff by occasionally seeking interviews t with them, by seeing that their children are regular and punctual in attendance, and give attention to their home .lessons and preparation, and by taking a keen interest in the school and its activities.