FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3932, 18 April 1929, Page 3

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The following report was submitted by the Headmaster (Mr F. A. Mason) to Monday night’s meeting of householders “In the .long history of the Foxton School, the year 1928 stands out pre-.Cminently as one of remarkable success and progress. The completion ,otf the new secondary and manual training building in March, 1928, provided the district with accominiodation to meet the requirements of secondary education locally, which the school’s elevation to a district High School demands, whilst the wood-work and cookery rooms are, 1 feel sure, second to none in 'the couiitry. This new structure surrounded by concrete paths and newly-turfed lawns, has made our block ,of school buildings the envy of other towns. “The removal of the teacher’s old residence enabled your committee to supply an area of ground for experimental and practical work in agriculture and horticulture. The plot has been fenced off, laid out, and prepared and the boys of the secondary department have now the means of carrying out more efficiently the work formulated for the study of agriculture. “Rolls and Attendance. —The roll numbers of the school averaged out as folows: Primary Department 395 Secondary Department 47, Side School ,59. The percentages of attendances show a variation: Primary Dept. 90.4 per cent. Secondary: 94.5 per cent. Side School 93 per cent. The same old recurring trouble of poor attendance by some families was again experienced last year and I would suggest that this meeting recommend to the Education Board the re-appointment of an Attendance Officer.

“The Infant Department. —‘During the past eight years this department has been under the capable charge o-f Miss A. M. Wiilialnis, as Infant Mistress. One can not speak too highly of Miss Williams’s devotion to her work and it is with sincere regret .that we a now called upon to lose her services in the school, she having resigned her position in order to marry. I, therefore, wish to place on record my .deep appreciation of her faithful, conscientious, efficient and loyal services rendered. “It is pleasing to record that the numbers on the roll of the infant department continue to be well maintained, ( and that the present year begins with an even higher infant roll than has obtained for some years past. I would like, to take this opportunity of counselling parents of children of school age to send their little ones along to school as soon as they reach the age of live years and not keep them at home.

“The Primary Department:—ln this department splendid work was accomplished throughout. All classes maintained a high standard of efficiency and coresponding progress was made. The report made complimentary- references to Mrs Baillie and Miss Holst, late of the teaching staff. “The teachers, including those who have left, have all given of their best. Enthusiasm and sincerity have characterised their work and all have co-operated in an earnest endeavour to produce a high standard of work and attainment throughout the school. “As material evidence of the success of the year’s work in the pri-

mnry department, 91 per cent, of the candidates for Proficiency Certificates were successful in gaining them, and this high percentage fairly represents the standard of proficiency throughout all standards.

“The Secondary Department : The work of this department calls for special commendation. Here both teachers and pupils worked most assiduously throughout the year. The assistant teachers —'Messrs Doel and Buwles, are earnest, enthusiastic and capable. “As evidence of the soundness of the instruction given last year in this department, successes at outside examinations .will bear witness, results of whieli were as follows: — (a) Higher Leaving Certificate (1) Olga Yoike; (lb) Senior National Scholraship (1), Malcolm Mason; (o) Matriculation (4): Margaret Tyer, Malcolm Mason, Arthur Murphy and Arthur Stone, (d) Lower Leaving Certificate (2): Bessie Crowe and Margaret Tyer. (e) Public Service Examination (2): Theo Perreau and Keith Alexander, (f) Senior Free Place (12): Theo Perreau, Arthur .Stone, Frank Cowley, Donald Chrystall, Alphonso Martin, Keith Alexander, Alston Easton; Joan Thynne, Patience Booth, Melva Yorke, Dorothy Edmondson, Jean Francis, .(g) Partial Pass, Teacher’s “D” certificate (2): Olga Yoike and Bessie Crowe. These figures represent high percentages of successes and make a most favourable comparison with the results obtained by other District High Schools.

“The school uniform, so effectively worn by the, pupils of the secondary department, gives tone and distinction to them. The uniform is cheap, neat and durable and gets rid of the baneful effects of individious distinctions iTi dress. To the parents of pupils the thank's of the staff are due for their loyal co-operation in this matter. “The Side School. —'The staff, pupils and parents of the Beach School district have also good reason to. he well-pleased with the year’s efforts. Provision has been made 'for the conveyance to and from Foxton of those pupils of the Side School who have .passed Standard 4. ('Concluded on Page 1).