THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 178, 14 December 1912, Page 5

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

A SUCCESFCL YEAR. BREAKING-UP CEREMONY. The Good Templar Hull was crowded yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the breaking-up ceremony of the New Plymouth High School. Mr. E. Doekrill, Chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and in his address, recalled how this time last year they were assembled for the purpose of bidding farewell to the former principal (Mr. Pridham) who had guided the destinies of the school since its inception 30 years ago. It must have been gratifying to him, and to everyone for that matter, to see go many of his old boys present who were holding important and responsible positions. No doubt when his audience had heard Mr. Moyes read the report they would come to the conclusion that there had been very steady progress made during the year, and that the ground work of a sound and thorough education had been laid in ail cases. Proceeding, the speaker referred to some of the important innovations made during the year. Touching on the recent decision to separate the boys and girls, he said it was a. proposal to which the Board had looked forward for a great many years. Unless this step was taken he felt sure there would, with the increase of scholars which was anticipated, be no room in the school next year. In deciding to transfer the girls to a temporary building the Board had done all in its power to secure the best possible accommodation in' the town. Those who had objected to the proposal would doubtless withdraw their opposition when they learnt, as he (the speaker) had that, day, that the Government had handed over absolutely to the Board of Governors the site on the Hospital Road for the purpose of erecting a girls' high school. Personally he had no hesitation in saying that this action on the part of the Government meant that they were going to follow up the gift of a section with a very reasonable grant to enable the erection of the buildings. Thus within two years the girls would be permanently provided for in a building even more favourably sitnated than the Boys' High School. He had no doubt that the Board had a lot to thank Mr. H. Okey, M.P., for in connection with the granting of the site, and he hoped he would be equally as active in endeavouring to obtain a grant. Referring to the erection of the boarding establishment, Mr. Dockrill said its. career had been one of progress, ever since its erection. It started with seven boarders, which number had now increased to 18. He then went on to say that the Education Department had very wisely decided to add an agricultural course to the other branches of education to be | pursued at the school. The Board was determined to make this course a sue-' cess. It would mean the fitting up of a room (at present in use) as a laboratory, which would be impossible if the girls did not remove to another building. The decision of the Board to introduce a preparatory class next year was favourably commented on by the speaker, who held that it was an absolute necessity with boys who intended *o go in for higher education, if • they were to hold their own with boys wlio had the advantage of a preparatory class at the city colleges. Mr. Dockriil then eulogised the services of a retiring member of the Board, Mr. S. Percy-Smith, who leaves shortly on a visit to England, pointing to his useful work as a member, and his gifts of native shrubs for beautifying the school grounds. Before concluding, the Chairman wished scholars and masters alike an enjoyable holiday, and those leaving the school to return no more a prosperous career. In resuming his seat he called'to the boys for a-hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Smith, which was liberally responded to.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT: In a lengthy report covering all the various activities of the school, the Principal (Mr. W. 11. Moyes) said: "It is gratifying to report that notwithstanding the disruption that must necessarily follow the resignation of a headmaster of such long standing, the work of the school had been carried on with, a reasonable amount of success. We have still much to achieve before we can take omr /place the loading schools of the Dominion, but I think I am right when I say that we are on the way to seeing our* hopes in this direction realised. The widespread interest shown in the school by the people of Taranaki and the ready support that has on all occasions been forthcoming, have been most gratifying to my staff and myself. Should the support afforded the institution during the current year continue, the near future will see your school no longer one of a purely local character, but one that can draw its hoys from all' parte of the Dominion. The number on the roll now constitutes a record. It is worthy of note that 7tactically all those who attended on the opening day are still in the school. It would appear from this that parents are at length beginning to realise that a mere smattering of secondary abjects is of very little use and that ar, "this formative period in a hoy's l.'f; the greatest benefit is to be derived from the secondary school training -mending over some years." Touching on the new buildings. Mr. Moyes said that some £.'2000 had been spent on erecting and equioping a bearding department, and there was no boarding school in New Zealand that provided bettpr accommodation. AN APPEAL.

Continuing, Mr. Moyes said, inter alia, A perusal of the Gazette will show that large sums are being spent in equipping those of our schools that are recognised as leading institutions. All these have swimming baths, tennis courts large gymnasium, and a hundred and one things necessary for the mental and physical training of a boy.' Buildings are. in many cases, erected by voluntary contributions. In the case of one Southern school the voluntary contributions in 1910 amounted to over £SOOO. I take this opportunity of making an appeal to obtain for your school'what is so badly needed—a spacious gymnasium and swimming baths. ■ • Referring to vocational training, the report stated I hat on the occasion of Mr. Gill's visit of inspection to the school .34 pupils sat nnd qualified for the senior free place examination. The numbers entered for the public examinations are ,-iri follows: Junior Education.Board Scholarship and National"Scholarship >5, Senior Education Board Scholarship ,14. Junior Free Place 2, Junior Civil Service 29, Matriculation 20, entrance examination for Duntroon Military College 1, Taranaki and Junior University Scholarships 4, Senior Ciyir;Service ! 3— total 78. As to the result of these ex-, aminatioiiis I cannot help feeling .

A LITTLE PESSIMISTIC. T am quite Certain that under the ebullitions that Jiave obtained my staff have not had a fair chance. So long ,as -it, is necesnar-y to teach*, two .classes Jjiilqijc*'' room |it is evident that teachers-'camjot he expected to obtain "-results that will hear comparison with those obtained by? other schools where a teacher is pro« vided for every form in the school,' During the past .war we have had '•• ten forms in tiie school, arid until ejuito-re-cently seven teachers, including niyself to instruct them, ' ; i During the year good work;had htoi, done in practical agriculture, some fifteen boys takiiu* this course in placeof Latin and this it was essential that the school

should provide instruction for those boy« destined to spend their lives on tttt farm. With the object of extending the scope of this course a large block of land had been ploughed, and on this a • definite scheme of experiments will be carried out. It was to be hoped that parents would not imagine that in thus providing ofr the wants of these particular boys we are losing sight of the real aims of secondary education. Dairying had not hitherto been included in the curriculum, but he was pleased to say that this was to be added next term. In order to meet the requirements of a section of the pupils a commercial course iwwld be established next year. Those girls taking domestic science had done good work. This'course was established at the beginning of the present year, but had met with very poor response. Passing on Mr. Moyes referred to the flourishing state of the school institutions, and then refrred to athletics and drill in the following strain:—"The school has, I think, reason to be proud of its cadet corps. The greatest credit is due to Captain Ryder and the boyg for the way in which they had endeavoured to bring the drill to a high state of efficiency; given a few more big boys we need not fear comparison with the very best in New Zealand. On the athletic field we are just beginning to foel our way. The most noticeable feature of this side of school life is the enthusiasm with which the boya enter into the various games. For the first * time in its history the school possesses ■ a fine ground, and this more than anything else should raise the standard of our athletics." '-Ever since," he continued, "your school became a residential one it bus been handicapped by the want of a preparatory department. In some cases I have been forced to refuse admittance to boys who have consequently been sent as boarders to other schools. I am pleased to state that a preparatory . department will be opened in February next. This innovation has naturally met with a certain amount of opposition but its opponents are, I think, losing sight of the fact that the primary object of such a department is to 'draw boys as boarders from outside the district. As far as I know very few boarding schools in Xew Zealand are forced to refuse boys who have not passed Standard 5, and I am confident that once established this department will justify itself in the eyes of the public." Concluding, Mr. Moves comprehensive- . ly returned thanks to his staff for their loyal support, to the Board, and friends and well-wishers of the school.

THE PRIZE LIST. Mrs, Dockrill presented the prizes won during the year. The list is as follow*: BOYS. FORM 111. Highest in form, K. Brokcnshire. Second in form, 11. Le Pine. Languages and literature, A. McHardy. Science and mathematics, E. Marfel. Special prize, P. Oliver. Agriculture, F. King. FORM IV. First in form, L. Avann. Second in form, G. seck. ' • Languages and literature. L. Day 1, R. Monteath 2. Science and mathematics. S. Ewintr 1. R. Campbell 2. Elocution prize, C. Fair. Agriculture, H. Lepper 1, A. Marfel! ■■ FORM V. First in form, H. Hirst and G. Salt (equal). i Languages and literature, Howell 1, Kelly 2. Seience and mathematics, Teed 1, Kelly Drawing (Mr. Hutton's prize), A.- Little. FORM VI. First in form, N. Little. ■ Second in *orm, I. Weston. Special prize, 0. Hamblyn. General excellence enp (Dr. Fookeg' cup), 3\ T . Little. Dux medal for 1012, X. Little. GIRLS.

Dux, Clarice Olive Ambury. FORM VI. Second in form. Amy Harle. Mathematics, Alice Cocker. Languages, Monica Lcnnon. General proficiency, Evie Monteath, FORMV. Highest in form. Belle Allen. ', ' Second in form, Annie Mace. English, Myrtle Mackie. Mathematics and drawing, Katie Eustaee. , General proficiency, Margaret Tobin. FORM IV. Highest in form, Joyce Hamerton Wil-' son.

Second in form, Florence Sturtevant. Mathematics and science, Ida Miles. Languages, Kathleen King. General proficiency, Isabel Whitaker. FORM 111. ! Highest in form, Helen White. Second in form, Sybil Jackson and Airini Pope (equal). General excellence, Alix Warren. General excellence, Olive Simmons. DRESSMAKING. First, Marjory Shaw; second, Mabel Okey.

GYMNASTICS. Senior class, Hilda Rollo. Junior class, Alix Warren. ' ■ Mr. Lints' special prizes for Indian clubs—lst, Helen Bullard; 2nd, Hilda Rollo.

The sports prizes were presented by Mrs. Moyes. The championship winners were as follow:

Athletics, senior cup, Bruco; Junior Hirst.

Swimming: S. Ewing and Gossc tied !. the Senior, and Kelly secured the Jun. ior Championship. ..• ' ?t Boxing: Grey. Gymnastics: S. Ewing, senior; Sykes, junior. ..'-, ....*■* Shooting: Pott. " A MAYORAL TRIBUTE. The Mayor, (Mr. G. ,{v. Browne) addressed those -present/expressing his great appreciation of the work that had been carried opt at;.the echool during "" the year now drawn to a close. He ■'' * agreed with Mr. Mfl.ymthat the boarding house was equal .'to any in the Dominion, Likewise, hd was at one with the proposal to provide housing for the' boys.a'nrtthe -girls. It was • a movement in th\ right direction. He also congratulated \tne school on the prowess of its boys .on the athletic field, which : was duetto the excellence of their training. '-..... • ,-..-- -o > M,r,.H. OJcey.'M.P., also congratulated the school on .the-splendid "report. -He ■ alsft congratulated the jjigh standard achieved in their school mag.azine.. Tjt .was also pleasing to .nofeiithe forward move- in eonneoion- irlth >,the teaching of agriculture. The speaker also \\"cts into raptures, qyei.thje general excellence of tlje School Oftdet Cbrpa. whose work-he ave'rredj ixrualfed that of tho Canadian :Cadets ttb>n on"ithein recent visit to New Plymouth. i.'V '*