HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Taupo Times, Volume V, Issue 208, 27 January 1956, Page 9

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Points For Parents And Pupils To Consider With the re-opening of the Taupo District High School due next week the following notes may be of help to parents in considering the course of studies likely to be of most advantage to children commencing in the Secondary Department. i Four different courses of study are offered, namely (1) General, (2) Commercial, (3) Homelife (Girls), and (4) Industrial (Boys). These courses satisfy the conditions of the Education (Post-Primary Instruction) Regulations 1954 as to the necessary "common core" subjects, namely, English, Social Studies, General Science, Mathematics, Music, Art and Craft, and Physical Education. * Need For Steady Work At present the General Course and the Commercial Course both lead directly to the School Certificate Examinition, the Homelife Course and the Industrial Course can be extended in the third year to meet the requirements of that examination. When the proposed Manual and Home Training block, on the Waiariki Road site, is built, as it is expected to be.late this year, both the Homelife and Industrial courses will lead to School Certificate. The General Course consists of the "Core" subjects listed above, plus full mathematics, and is designed for pupils desiring to pass the School Certificate Examination and, later, University Entrance. No child staying less than three years should take this course, nor should any child who is not prepared to work. diligently for the three years. Pupils taking this course must take the "Students' Digest," a monthly magazine, the subscription for which is 5/- per year. Details Of Courses The Commercial Course includes the "core" subjects plus Commercial Practice, Book-Keeping and Typing. In addition to a sound educational background this course provides adequate special training in commercial principles for those pupils wishing to enter the business world. The Homelife Course adds Homecraft, Clothing and Cooking to the "core" subjects and leads to nursing, dressmaking and saies work. The industrial Course, with Woodwork and Commercial Practice added to the "core" subjects, is designed for those desiring apprenticeships in the trades. Both the Homelife and Industrial Courses are at present planned for pupils who remain at school for no more than two years. School Certificate The School Certificate Examination is a four year course, but pupils may sit in three years if the conditions of the Post-Primary Regulations are satisfied. It should be realised, however, that only the child who is very good academically can reasonably expect to pass at the end of three years. Statistics place the failure of third year pupils as high as 75 per cent. School Certificate is necessary for entrance to many careers, such as School Dental nursing, admission to Teachers' Training Colleges, and is of great help in many Public Service pro-: fessions. The unlforms for pupils of the Secondary Department of the Taupo District High School are as follows : Girls : Summer, grey pinafore frock with white blouse. Sandals or black shoes with white sockettes. Winter, Grey gym frock, white blouse, maroon blazer, maroon tie. Boys : Summer : light grey shirts, grey shorts, sandals (or grey socks with black shoes). Winter, grey shirt, grey shorts, grey socks, and black shoes, grey pullover, and if desired maroon blazer. School badges are procurable at the School at a cost of 5/6 each. Textbooks may be procured at the School during February. Exercise books are the 1A, 1B and 1D according to the list and may be procured at any stationery shop.