FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3783, 24 April 1928, Page 2

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

THE YEAR’S WIORK REVIEWED.

The headmaster of the Foxton D.H. School submitted a eompre. hensive report of the year’s work to the annual meeting of householders last evening. The report stated inter alia: — ROLLS AND ATTENDANCE.

The average rolls and attendances for the year were as follows :

490 An examination of the above figures reveals a big drop in the roll number of the primary school, and an increase in the secondary department. An average attendance of 88.7 per cent, is much too low to be considered good, but undoubtedly sickness is the paramount cause of much of the non-attendance. There is still a small percentage of parents who permit their children to be absent from school without legal excuse, and only the most drastic action will bring them to a sense of their responsibilities and duty. STAFF CHANGES. The following teachers have been transferred elsewhere: Misses Dent, Leslie, Young, Clover and Admore, their places were taken by Misses E. M. and M. C. Denton, J. Thompson and A. Holst and Mr T. Chipper.

The three young probationers, Misses T. Hussey, H. Spring and Mr. D. McMurray, were at the beginning of this year admitted to the Wellington Teachers’ Training College, and Mr V. Moore —an expupil of the school —was appointed as a probationer for the ensuing twelve months. EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. I am pleased to record again a' series of successes in examinations, the record for the year being as fellows: —Teachers’ “D” certificate partial pass, 1; matriculation, 2; public service entrance, 1; junior national scholarship, 1; senior free places, 6; proficiency, 32. The proficiency passes reached 97 per cent.

Miss Decima Brown, a secondary pupil, was awarded an Alexander Scholarship by the Wanganui Education Board, and is now attending as a condition of holding same, the Wanganui Technical College, which she entered in February last. We congratulate this young lady on her award, and wish her every success. Primary Department. —Dux girl, •Meta Mason; dux boy, Denzil Yorke.

Secondary Department.— Dux girl, Olga. Yorke; dux Imy, Vernon Moore.

THE '(INFANT DEPARTMENT. This department, working under the immediate direction of Miss •Wlilliams, infant mistress, has a■gain accomplished good work. We would like to ask parents to see that their little ones are sent along to school as regularly as home cir.eumstances permit, for it is only by regular attendance that steady progress can be made. The average normal child enrolling at 5 years of age should be finished his primary education by the time he reaches his 13th year, leaving a considerable period before his life’s work begins for post-primary (secondary) education. This, however, cannot be expected unless from the outset the child is encouraged to take his school life seriously. THE STANDARDS. Throxxghout the Standard classes, on the whole, consistently good !work was accomplished dxiring the 'year. The teacher’s chief aim is to develop the individuality of each child along the lines of its inherent capacities, and the staff has for the most part conscientiously striven to attain that aim. Although examination results are not really a ' criterion of educational progress or attainment, I am proud to be able to report as above the splendid record made by St. VI. last year.

THE SECONDARY DEPARTMENT.

At last the adverse conditions under which this department has laboured for txvo years have been removed, and the classes are now accommodated in an up-to-date school building. Despite the difficulties, good, and in some cases, excellent work was accomplished. The splendid accommodation noxv provided has already been responsible for a decided improvement in the tone and atmosphere. The roll number stands at 50. In my estimation this means that at least 11)0 per cent, more local children are obtaining secondary education than would have been the case if the high school had not been established. This school is intended by the Government to provide secondary education for post-primary pupils from the Bainesse, Oroua Doxvns, Moutoa, Foxton Convent, and Foxton Schools. I wish to emphasise the absolute necessity in these days of giving children the best possible education that parental circumstances can permit. This becomes a boxxnden duty for all parents, for unless it is carried out their children are severely handicapped in the battle of life.

The time has long gone by when a St. VI. proficiency certificate was a hall mark of educational attainment. In these days something considerably higher is expected, and as often as not demanded. Parents should endeavour to provide their children with at least a three years’ course in a , secondary school, and this is the educational objective which we should as a community set up as the minimum. Your High School, aims not only at the intellectual training of your young people, but at the far wider education of equipping them morally and physically to take the highest places each and all are capable of in the world. We teachers appeal to you parents to make your school the centre of your children’s interests. We wish you to join with us and them in every effort put forth to attain the ends we have in view.

The report also dealt with the side-school, physical training and sports, school singing, proposed evening technical classes. The report concluded: — “To the teaching staff my heartiest and deepest thanks are due for faithful and loyal service, for all have given of their best. In many cases these efforts, have not been confined to the schoolroom'alone, but have been extended to.a much wider field, and such selfsacrificing service is born only of the highest altruistic motives and ideals.”

Rolls. Attend. p.e. Primary dept. 416 369 88.7 Secondary dept. 37 33 89.2 Side School 53 47 88.6 506 For March quarter of the prcsent year the figures are: — Primary dept. 388 352 90.7 Secondary dept. 51 47 92.1 Side School 51 47 92.1