ROTORUA HIGH SCHOOL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 392, 29 November 1932, Page 6

ROTORUA HIGH SCHOOL

'MEETING OF BOARD OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN PRGFICIENCY EXAMS HEADMASTER'S REPORT The usual monthly meeting of the Rotorua ILigh' School Board was held last evening, the following being present: — Mr. R. B- Nesbitt (chairman), Archdeaeon Chatterton, Messrs. H. A. Goudie, H. Tai Mitchell, H. M. Martin, Mrs. I. M. Davidson and the secretary, Mr. J. D. Davys. Regret was expressed by the board on hearing the news of the serious accident which had fallen Mr. W. Steele and on the motion of Archdeaeon Chatterton it was decided to forward the board's sympathy to Mrs. Steele and family and express the hope that Mr. Steele would make a rapid recovery. Dealing with the headmaster's report the chairman expressed his pleasure at the success obtained in the annual examinations at the school for proficiency and competency certificates. On the motion of Archdeaeon Chatterton the secretary was instructed to forward the board's eongratulations to the headmaster and ' his staff. Steps necessary to arrest the serious position which is arising through the falling roll were considered in committee and certain recommendations adopted. The grounds committee were asked to consider the question of cost in conneetion with a proposed swimming bath at the school. On receipt of advice of the award of the William Robert Friar Memorial prize for the year to Company Segt.-Major R. J. Devin, the board expressed its appreciation of this success and decided to forward its congratulations to the winner and also to Captain Evans, O.C. the school company. Headmaster's Report In the course of his monthly report the headmaster, Mr. W. G. Harwood, said: — ■ Staff: — It is with much regret that I have to report that Mr. R. G. Webb is not yet fit to resume duty. He is, I believe, making very satisfactory progress, and there is every likelihood of his return before the end of the school year. Examinations: — On the 24th inst., the school was visited by the primary inspectors for the purpose of conducting examinations for proficiency and competency certifieates. Seventy candidates were presented, of whom 63 gained proficiency certifieates and seven competency certifieates. There were no failures. At the present time examinations are being held for seniOr free place and training college entrance. The university entrance and allied examinations commence next Thursday, December 1- Thirty candidates from the school have entered. In other words 70 per cent. of our fifth form pupils are attempting the examination. I cannot but feel that many of these candidates are extremely optimistic, especially when it is considered that schools with six times the roll of this one only put up sixty per cent. of the fifth forms, in spite of the special classification possible with the larger roll number. Speech Prize: — The Gardner prize for the boys was won by J. S. Alexander. The girls are to be heard before the Rotorua Rotary Club on December 12.

Roll: — I cannot let the end of the school year come without reference to the inadequate and unsatisfactory length of stay at school of too many pupils. Analysis of the roll shows that 73 pupils were admitted in 1931. Of these 34 have left, 10 before completing one year's secondary education and 23 during the second yearOf the 55 admitted this year, 11 have since left so that in all 45 out of 128 pupils left without completing the intermediate course. This is fair neither to the child nor the school, and has meant the loss of an assistant this year. I have hopes next year of extending our work in agriculture to the third year, with the addition of metal work and of extending our commercial side to enable candidates to be presented for the bookkeepers' examination of the University of New Zealand, and of offering shorthand as a subjeet in school time, but all these hopes cannot be realised unless the roll returns to the 1931 level namely, 175. Baths: — I would suggest to the board that the present is an opportune time to consider the construction of swimming baths at the school under one of the Unemployment Board schemes. By this means the baths could be constructed for the cost of supervision, insurance and cement. Sports' Fees: — In 1933, I propose to make considerable concessipn in the matter of sports fees in cases where two or more members of the same family are at school. The maximum fee to include all members of the one family at school will be 6s per term, which will mean a saving of 4s Gd per term where there are four members of the same family at school. Prize-giving: — The prize-giving will be held in the Grand Theatre on Wednesday, December 14, at 8 p.m. The school will, in accordance with the departmental circular, reopen on Tuesday, February 7, 1933.