OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 4

OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD The monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools' Board of Governors was held yesterday. Mr W. R. Brugh presiding. Rectors' Reports The rector of the Otago Boys' High School (Mr H. P. Kidson) reported that the death Of Pilot-officer M. E. Brian Macassey. who was killer] in a flying accident in Great Britain, was the fourth old boy of the school to have lost his life in the war. There were in addition three who had long been posted as missing, and one who was a prisoner of war. All these men were members of the Air Force. The boys of the school made a very good contribution from their homes to the collection of books for the soldiers camps, namely about 400 books and 300 magazines. The boys were giving a gymnastic display at the coming sports gala in aid of the war funds. They had also helped in other ways in the present queen Carnival effort. Some 200 of them hoped also to take part in the house to house collection of scrap metals soon to be held. The rector of the King's High School (Mr D. S. Chisholm) reported that military work had been carried out this year in the ordinary school uniform, supplies of headgear for all cadets and uniforms for new boys not being available Notwithstanding this disadvantage, and also the lack of adequate equipment, training had been carried on steadily during the year. With the establishment of the National Reserve Battalion, an officer and noncommissioned officer from its staff were detailed for instructional duties with the cadets, and their assistance in this respect had already proved very valuable. Boys of the school had already given aid to the work of the various patriotic associations, and were prepared to assist where possib.e. Boys for Turnip Thinning The rector of the Otago Boys' High School applied for authority to send boys for turnip thinning and other crop work in country districts during the school term, if their services were reqUThe ' secretary (Mr C. R. McLean) stated that Mr Kidson's idea was that with so many men away on active service it might be helpful if boys were released to help the farmers with their cron work before the school term ended. .. ,_, After a short discussion it was decided to grant the request, subject to the approval of a small sub-committee which would be set up to deal with the matter when it arose. Break-up Ceremonies It was decided that the break-up ceremonies of the three schools should be held at the schools themselves this year, and the following dates _ were flxed:-Kine's High School evening of Thursday. December 12; Otago Girls High School, afternoon of ■ cember 13; Otago Boys' High School, evening of Friday December 13. Next Year's Terms The dates for next year's terms were fixed as follows:—First term. Monday, February 3, to Friday. May 9: second term Tuesday, May 21 to Friday, August 22; third term. Tuesday September 16 to Friday. December 12.