STRATFORD SCHOOL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 68, 25 July 1913, Page 7

STRATFORD SCHOOL.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT

Following is the report of the inspection, on March 28 and 31, of the secondary department of the Stratford District High School, by Mr T. H. Gill:— The staff is as follows:—Mr F. A. Tyrer (D), headmaster; Mr F. J; Morgan, M.Sc. (A 3), first assistant; Mr E. C. Bowler, 8.A., second assistant; Miss Edith Jackson, M.A., third assistant; Miss Jessie Gordon, 8.A., fourth assistant; Miss Edith Tooman, 8.A., special assistant. Boll.—Boys 78, girls 61—139. Present : Boys 74, girls 56-130. Of the total enrolment, 25 pupils held senior free places, 107 junior free places, and 7 pay fees. Seventeen free place holdrs hold scholarships as follows:—Education Board Junior and Junior National 10, Education Board Senior 7. Nearly four-sevenths of the pupils come from outside the local school districts:—lnglewood 22, Midhirst 17, Lepperton 8, Waitara 8, Tariki o, Norfolk Road 4, Toko 3, Ngaere 2, Eltham 2, Te Roti 2, Hawera 2, Durham Road 2, Douglas 1. Some of these pupils in addition to travelling daily by train distance* ranging from one mile to 28 miles, walk or ride two to three miles from their home to the railway station. The definite courses of correlated groups of subjects have been arranged :

(a) A general course for pupil# whose object is the Civil Service, teaching or professional life, consisting of English, Latin, French, mathematics, mechanics, botany, elementary phyr sic#, geography, history and civics. This course, taken by 70 pupils, reaches the standard of attainments of C.S. Junior in two years, Matriculation in three or four'years, and University Junior.. Scholarship examination in four or more years. (b) A rural course consisting of English, mathematics, botany, chemistry, dairy work, physical measurements, history and civics for all pupils, agriculture, surveying, ironwork and farm carpentry for boys, and hygiene and dressmaking for girls. The time for the various subjects of, the rural course is as folfdWg:—English: Language, literature and history, six hours; mathematics, 8 hours; science pure three hours, applied three hours; manual Work, four hours. An attempt is being made to secure a qualified instructress in laundry work for the girls taking this course. Of the pupils in the rural divisions 31 come by a train which reaches Stratford an hour after the school work has begun. This loss is distributed equally over arithmetic, algebra, geometry, physics and botany. In addition to the usual period l for agriculture, at least' a week’s continuous work is done twice a yjear. As. the ,Ne’.r School arranged: a coursp ip commercial work, and the railway sendee has been made available for pupil* desirous of attending that school,,no provision is made for a commercial;, this voar.

Although the construction of a good time-table, is a work iotfivsomij» diffi culty, satisfactory arrangements have been,, made- for., the: rotation-, of and for the allocation of a reasonable amount of time to each. a

The methods of teacliing ,|in user ranged from satisfactory to very good, and the skill displayed' in applying, them had a similar range. This variation was in large measure due to the experience of the members of the staff. In all case# there was a degree of thoroughness and earnestness worthy of high commendation. The teachers are energetic, painstaking, and thoroughly interested in their work, and their efforts were responded to with much willingness by most of the pupils of the classes. They endeavoured to cultivate thoughtfulness and create a ■genuine interest in all the work undertaken.

The order, attention and conduct of the pupils both in tho school and in its precincts were, on the occasion of my visit, all that could be desired. There is an excellent spirit of work and a fine tone. The secondary department reflects credit on. the headmaster and his assistants, especially in the formation of habits of earnest, painstaking application in their pupils.

Physical education receives the following attention :—The hoys play cricket and football, receive instruction in swimming and have military drill, including physical exercises: the git Is play tennis and round rs, receive instruction in swimming, and have Swedish drill and other exerciser.,