"TOO ACADEMIC"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 December 1931, Page 6

"TOO ACADEMIC"

high school EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORTS COMPLAINTS TO BOARD 1 TECHNICAL CLASSES WANTED The^ monthly m&etiftg c£ the Rotorua High School Board Wh§ held la§t aight at the Board's Office when there were presefit Messrs R. B. Nesbitt (ChalriPan), Goudie, Mitchell, Martin, Steele, Dr. Bertram, Archdeacon Chatterton, and Mrs Davidson. A letter was received from the Director of Education advising the board that the attention of the Department had been drawn from time to time to the fact that the education provided at the school was mainly academic in character, and further, that although the establishment of the school was due largely to the generosity of the Maoris, very few Maoris had been admitted. A request was made that the board discuss with the headmaster the possibility of effecting improvements in the following directions: — (1) Securing the attendance of a greater number of Maori boys and girls. (2) Developing full-time day manual and technical instruction. (3) Providing facilities for evening classes. I In connection with the Director's letter the headmaster, Mr, A. R. Ryder, reported as follows: — With reference to the letter from the Education Department bearing on the curriculum of the school and the facilities provided for, I would present the following report: — "Attendance of Maori Scholars: These pupils may be divided into three classes. (a) Those who come to us from Ohinemutu (the Ngatiwhakaue tribe) after having ipasssd through the primary school. Practically all our Maori pupils come from this quarter. (b) Those who attend the Convent School, of whom very few come to us. (c) Whakarewarewa Maoris, of whom practically none come to this school after attendng the Native school. | "That so few of the Whakarewarewa pupils come to this school I attribute to the fact that the brighter pupils are able, through Government scholarships, to attend Maori schools, while the distance of this school from Whakarewarewa being two miles, probably deters some. The Whakarewarewa natives appear to have shown very little interest in the school, but | further development of the agriculI tural and technical courses should induce some of those pupils to attend. "Development of Fult Time Day and Techincal Instruction: I shall be glad to co-operate with the board and with the Education Department in further developing this side of the school curriculum, The, relatively small size of the senior depai'tment of the school, however, at present prevents the appointment of teachers in such subjects as metal work and elementary engineering unless the Education Department is will,ng to provide teachers for this purpose. Moreovei', as the Board will remember, it is intended, when the next increase in the senior school roll occurs, to appoint a full time agricultural master. This would be a step in the direction which the Education Department suggests, and any further increase in the roll should enable us to appoint instructors on the technical side. "Evening Classes: I am willing to introduce such classes in the school. At present I think it probable that sufficient evening students could be enrolled for classes in typewriting and shorthand, and woodwork, which could be commenced in 1932. It is also possible that classes could be formed for the subjects required for the pharmacy examination and for the accountancy examination." Resignations From Staff The headmaster, in his monthly report, referred in appreciative terms to Miss M. Foote who has tendered her resignation from the staff of the school. Mr. Ryder also referred to the caretaker, Mr. McDowell, who has also resigned, and whose loss he said would be severely felt. "Both Mr and Mrs McDowall have performed loyal and highly efficient service and my staff, pupils, and myself deeply regret their departure," said Mr. Ryder. Arrangements have been made for the cadets to go into barraeks for their annual military training early next year. The Defence Denartment.

while unable to afford financial assistance, is arranging for the loan of all necessary equipment. The cost of the barraeks is being borne by the boys' parents, and the board decided, in the circumstances, to contribute £10 towards the -cost of the barraeks. The chairman paid a tribute to the splendid work done by the conductor of the bugle band, Mr. Tregilgas, and to the interests taken in it by the boys. He considered that some assistance should be given it and it was decided to vote £5 to be used by the headmaster for band purposes. The excellent progress recently made by the school orchestra was also referred to in appreciative terms and the board decided to vote £10 to be used by the headmaster in the interests of the orchestra. Gther grants made by the board , were: £20 toward the cost of prizes for the current year; £20 for the school sports fund, and £4 for a tennis volley board. It was also decided to pay the groundsman a bonus of £5 in recognition of his services during the past year.