HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1916, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth High School Board was held last night, when there wen: present; Messrs. n. Hutchcn (chairman}, H. Trimble, L. C. Sladden, S. G. Smith, F. G. Hirst, R. W. D. Robertson, F. W. Atkinson, and E. P. Webster, and Dr. Fookcs. THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. Miss Hodges, Principal of the Girls' High School, reported that in the senior department two pupils had left, the roll number being now 7(1. In the preparatory department, tho numbers were unchanged. The stoves placed in three of the classrooms during the recent cold weather had added considerably to the comfort of the pupils. It was suggested that the school should close for the holidays on Thursday, August 24, and reopen on September 18. Mr. Gill and Dr. Don, Secondary School Inspectors, were at present inspecting the school. It was resolved to give effect to Miss Hodge's recommendation re holidays. SENIOR FREE PLACES. Miss Hodges. Principal of the Girls' School, drew attention to the recent decision of the Department tp suspend or discontinue the award, jf Renior free places, on recommendation by principals, and suggested that the Board should protest against the change on the grounds—(l) That it is retrograde in principle, the total work of the pupil as gauged by his school record being (with proper safeguards), a better criterion of fitness for a senior place than an iolated set of external examinations; (2) that if this year's procedure is meant as a test of the general standard of recommendations by principals—and this, is presumably the'case—it is a distinctly unfair one, in the case of many schools (chiefly boys' schools), that have unavoidably suffered through the departures of masters on service, and their replacement by inexperienced substitutes. A general request from secondary boards that the system should remain as before until the wcr is done with might well be effective, and in any case serve as a cheek against further action by the Department.

A letter on similar linos was read from Mr. Moves. Principal of the Boys' School. The chairman agreed that the change was a bad one in principle, and lie moved that the following resolutions be sent to the Minister of Education: (1) That in the opinion of the Board, the new method of testing qualification for senior free places by examination is wrong, because (a) it will not provide as good a test of fitness as the school record of the pupils, which should be accepted under proper safeguards; (b) it will tend lo restrict the school work of the pupils to the acquisition of knowledge necessary for examination purposes, which is generally acknowledged to be detrimental to sound mental training; (2) that this Board is of the further opinion that it would be inexpedient and unfair to alter the method at the present time, when the work of the schools is unavoidably suffering through the departure of masters on war service, and their replacement by inexperienced substitutes. Mr. Atkinson seconded. Mr. Smith asked if the regulation was not merely bringing high schools into line, with other schools. Mr. Trimble said that the new regulation prohibited the granting of a senior free place, unless the pupil had passeda senior free place examination, whereas previously, a little discretion was allowed. The resolution was carried. GENERAL. The chairman reported that in connection with a complaint in the Daily News regarding lie lack of heating at the Girls' temporary schpol, he and Mr. Robertson had visited the school and had temporarily installed some of the heating appliances that were to be used in the new school, and this had proved very satisfactory. The action was confirmed.

It was resolved that the question of insurance be dealt with by the town members of the Board. The chairman, Messrs. Fox and Webster, were appointed a committee to go' into the matter of supplies for nevt term. The Town Clerk notified that instructions had been given to the Borough Engineer to put in a crossing at the Mangorci Road in connection with the Girls' School. The Borough Engineer had also been instructed to report in regard to the request for the widening of the footpath. The chairman stated that Mr. Stanley Smith had agreed to supervise the laying out of the grounds at the Girls' High School, and the work was now being proceeded with. FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS. The Board decided to carry on the school work temporarily in the wing that has not been destroyed, and in Niger House, utilising the four large rooms as class rooms. Tlie arrangements for furnishing wen. also decided upon, and it is expected that school work will resume at the commencement of next term. A NEW BUILDING. The question of a new building was discussed in committee, and it was decided to at once have plans and estimates prepared for a new buildins in concrete or brick.