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THE HIGH SCHOOL

PAST YEAR'S WORK. • THE BREAKING UP CEREMONY. The ceremony in connection with the breaking up of the New Plymouth Boys' High School took place in the Assembly Hall at the school last night. The building was tastefully decorated, and there was a large attendance of parents and friends.

Sir. L. C. Sladden (the chairman of the Board of Governors) presided, and others on the platform were: Mrs Sladden and the .Mayoress (Mrs J. Clarke), Sir Robert Stout (the Chief Justice), the Mayor (Mr. J. Clarke), and Messrs H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, E. A. Washer, A. Morton, L. A. Nolan, and Dr. Pookes (members of the Board of Governors), Mr. W. H. Moyes (the principal), and the members of his- staff. Mr. Sladden, in opening the proceedings, thanked those present for their attendance. He mentioned that there was no prize-giving ceremony last year owing to the epidemic, and, in fact, this was the first year since the war that the hoys had had prizes, for during the war they gave up their prize* in order that the funds expended on prizes could be devoted to patriotic purposes. (Applause.) Mr. Sladden went on to say that the school had, in recent years, gone through many troubles. The old school had been destroved by fire in 1916 and this was a serlfus disaster, retarding the progress of the school, and since then there had been many other troubles. "But at last we can see daylight," added Mr. Sladden. He touched on how the public had come to the rescue of the school, and mentioned the re cent decision of the Government to give a £ for £ subsidy on the money raised by the public. Though no "definite promise' had been given they had received a good hint front the department that on any further sums raised by the public for the erection of class rooms or other legitimate ohjects, they would pay a £ for £ subsidy. When the department originally set out to help the school they had aimed at providing an institution which would accommodate two hundred boys, but so great was the advance that the school had made that to-day the school had a roll of 350. The department was interested in the school and had observed the progress madp. and they would no doubt give everv help to the Board in future plans towards expansion. Mr Sladden concluded his remarks by extending a hearty welcome to Sir Robert Stout. PRINCIPAL'S ANNUAL REPORT. The Principal (Mr. W. H. Moyes) reported as follows: In presenting the 38th annual report of the boys' school, I would like, first of all, to express our appreciation of the fact that it is entirely owing to public generosity that We were able once again to hold our prize giving in a hall of our own The past year has shown how utterly Impossible It would have been to conduct the affairs of the school successfully had this hall not been included in the new buildings. The school year commenced on February 10th, but, owing to the unfinished state of the buildings, serious work could not be undertaken until some days later. It was. In fact, bile in the first term before classes could be properly organised, and even then very little science work could bo attempted, owing to 'he lack of equipment and to the difficulty expert Jarcd in obtaining the necessary supi nlles of chemicals and apparatus. The work of the year has therefore been carried on under great disadvantages which, coming after the serious break caused by the epidemic, have rendered it extremely difficult to cover the full syllabus of work set for the various examinations. E/wovor, lam glad to say, the lost ground has been gradually covered, and next year will see an end to the difflcultles against which we have had to cmtend since the destruction of the old school by fire In 1916.

As was to be expected, the completion of modern and up-to-date school buildings attracted a large number of new pupils. One hundred and fdrty-foilr new boys entered during the year. The total roll number for tlw year is 336, an increase of 76 on that of 1918. The demand,for boarding accommodation is shown by the fact that no fewer than 168 boys have been in residence. While these figures must be regarded as eminently satisfactory, we must not lose sight of the urgent necessity for further expansion. Already the accommodation provided is taxed to lis utmost.,- it is, in fact, Insufficient for our present needs.

Owing to 'he epidemic, the annual examinations were not held until January of this year, with tho result that some candidates did not sit In the Junior TJnlversl'y Scholarship examination, Ronald Syme gained fourth pTace for New Zealand, but was unable to take advantage of the scholarship, as he was under 16 years of ago. It was confidently hoped that this year his name would appear at the head of the list, but I regret to say that while the examinalon was being held he was 111 with measles . I wish to take 'his opportunity of publicly congratulating Syme on his meritorious performance; it has seldom been beaten by candidates 1n the past. Taranakl Scholarships wero won by D Denny-Brown and D G. D Mackie, while K C. Roberta and D. F Sax'on passed tho matriculation on the scholarship papers P F Atkinson. E. Boulton, R I. Harrison, R Howell •T Knapman, C Noble, R. E Pope H l' Richardson, R. M Rockel. R. 0. Sinclair a' R. Sturtevant, N. Waddle, G Webster, 'and J. Willis were all successful In passing the matriculation and allied examinations, and partial passes were gained hy G Boon and M Nicholson. Senior National Scholarships were won by Ronald Syme and J W. Jllle't, and Junior National Scholarships by R Bellringer, F. Corkill, and S Fookes During the year a terms class has been held for those boys desirous of continuing their degree work while at school. In October, threo candidates (J. Willis, R Pope, and C. Noble) were entered for the University terms examinations, and all three were successful. Noble gaining first-class passes in Latin and In English In this connection I would again remind you that tho school offers excellent opportunities for matriculated students n-ho find themselves unable to proceed •o the University It does not seem to be generally t-nown that any boy can work for his BA degree while at school and can as an exempted student of anv of the University colleges, sit for tho degree examinations I am slrongly of opinion that a bov of II! is too young to send to the University, afrd I finally believe that he would be well advised to have one year in the slxlh form of a secondary school before attending lectures at a University college.

The Staff-With tho cessation of hostill'les and the return to New Zealand of many secondary school teachers who had been fighting In France, the matter of staffing had again «o receive altendon. During the war, eight masters of the school saw. active service Three of these V. J. B. Hall. R. D Kldd. and M. Macdonald, made the supreme sacrifice and R H Espiner returned to New Zealand' very seriously wounded The question of a fitting memorial to these late masters has not been lost sight of, and arrangements arc now beln" made to erect memorial brasses In the school assembly hall.

We were very pleased, at the beginning of the year, to welcome back from France Mr A W. Diprose. who left us in 191(1. Mr H V. Searle, M.Sc, after having seen service In France, was offered and accepted a scholarship at Cambridge University, where, since the signing of the armistice, he h.is taken his BA degree Mr. Searle intends to leave England immediately, and will reloln the staff at the beginning of the new form.

During the #enr. Mlws E Billens, B A., who had heen holdinjj a war appointment, accepted a position on tho staff of the Palmerston North High School, nnrt Mr. E. A. Bowe, M.Sc, of the Cbristchureh Boys' High School staff, was appointed to nil tho vacancy thus caused. Unfortunately for tho school, Mr. Rnwe has been awarded the 1857 Exhibition Scholarship, and leaves for England at the beginning of next year. While regretting the loss the school will sustain by his departure, I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating him on the well deserved distinction he has won. The staff has been further strengthened by the appointment of Mr N D; Day. who has tor some Tears been teaching under the Tarnnakl Education Board, and of Mr H. Oalder and Mr. TV. Wllkie. These three masters are all Old Boys of the school, and have, as such, rendered valuable service In helping to cement the bond existing between the Old Boys' AaI soclatlon and the school. Another appointment made during the year was that of Mt. F. ,T Eggleton. who for the second and Uflrd I term, has had charge of the physical Inctrucllon. For two and a half yean, owlaf

to the lack of suitable buildings, it was found impossible to carry out a course in gymnastics, with the natural result that there was a marked deterioration in the physique of the hoys attending the school. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that we heard of the Board's decision to appoint a permanent physical instructor, and we have every reason to feel satisfied with the choice made. School Institutions—With a return to our own buildings and to more normal conditions, (it was naturally expected that more) enthusiasm would be displayed In connection with the various school Institutions. This has been the case, and, to my mind, the most gratifying feature Is the Increased Interest that day boys arc taking In their school and Its mrny activities. While in the racecourse It was, I know, felt by many, that the school was run mainly for the, boarders, and I am pleased to say that this feeling has <how entirely disappeared, and that the day boys again, realise that they form an integral part of the school, and that its good name and Us progress depend upon them as much as upon those who reside within Its walls It Is pleasing to;be able to report that the revival In cricket noticeable in the town has had Its effect upon the school. Three school teams are playing in the competitions, and altogether there is a market Improvement in the play of the senior boys. There Is, however, much, room for Improvement in the standard of junior cricket, and this will never be satisfactory until the ground In the gully is completed and move wickets are provided. In the first term of the year the annual match against Wangnnui College was played on the school grounds. The gamo ended in a victory for the visitors by 145 runs. The chief event of the football season was the match against the Auckland Grammar School. After tho rather disastrous defeat of last year, it was with mixed feeling's that we Journeyed to Auckland to again try conclusions with the Auckland champions; but on this occasion fortune favored the school, and, after a most exciting game, the school proved victorious by a narrow margin of four points.

In shooting, the school continues to- maintain the high standard set in tho past. In tho Imperial Challenge Shield the New Plymouth High School gained fifth place In tho senior competition out of 755 teams, and 4th. sth. and Oth places In the junior out of 5D4 teams In both competitions the High School teams were again easily first for the Dominion. Tho Challenge Shield presented for competition by the Weekly Press Company, was also won by the school, and was presented to the winning team on the occasion of the military barracks held during the third term. In connection with shooting, I may add, that the teams from this school are working under groat disadvantages . The standard of shooting has Improved so much during the past 'rour years that only those who shoot undor perfect conditions can hope to see their naimes at tho top of the list for the Empire. 1 sincerely hopo that the near future will see the school equipped with a proper Indoor range that will enable the boys to compete on even terms with those from the big schools of England and Australia.

The school library has been improved during tho year by numerous purchases and by valuable gifts from Mrs. Ayre-Kcnnv, Mrs. Courtenay Kyngdon, Mr. F. G. Robinson, Mr. T. Avery, and Mr. W. Ewmg. It Is with vary great regret that I have to say tha» the Education Department refuses to recognise, in a practical manner, the necessity for a good library in an Institution such as this. By dint of hard work and Uie expenditure of quite a large sum of money, the library has been gradually built up until it now comprises somo 2000 volumes. Knowing the opinion expressed by the Minister for Education upon the value of a course of reading for young people of secondary school age, we confidently expected to find adequate provision made in our now buildings for a library worthy of the school. Much to our disappointment, our repeated requosts for assistance have met with no response, and In the meantime a very valuable collection of books remains housed in a clas9-room totally unsuited for the purpose.

In every other branch of school activity good work has been done. Swimming and ltfosavlng classes have been held under the supervision of 'masters at the Municipal Baths, while the swimming sports in the first term afforded ample proof of the high standard reached In this branch of school sport. Great enthusiasm is still displayed by the boys for military work, the standard of which Is quite as high as that of former years. Shortly after returning from the second terra holidays, all boys went into barracks, when, for a period of five days, the school was handed over to Lieut-Colonel Cox, the Officer Commanding the Taranakl Group. The temporary disorganisation of the school work was In my opinion, more thoii justified by the improvement in the bearing and the discipline of the boys concerned, and by the knowledge gained In the various subjects connected with the work of cadets Our thanks are due to Lieut.-Colonel Cox. Captain Hallinger, Lieut. King, and the staff of instructors, who spared no efforts to snake tho barracks a success. The curriculum in most cases remains unchanged The syllabus of work in English for the Junior University Scholarship has been considerably extended, as may be seen by a comparison of the new prescription with the old Formerly the programme of work Included passages from tho best known plavs of Shakespeare and from modern English authors for the explanation of common allusions, together with questions testing the candidates' knowledge and appreciation of tho thought and literary style This has been changed to "questions testing the candidate's knowledge and appreciation of tho thought and stylo of standard English authors from Shakespeare to Tennyson—a wide choice of subjects to be given." Preparation for this examination, therefore, Involves the acquisition of docldely more literary knowledge than that required for the B.A. degree. The difficulty is increased by thi fact that examiners at times go beyond the syllabus.

The history syllabus for next voar has been rather ex'ensively altered and broadened.' For the Public Service Entrance, the Senior National Scholarship and the Intermediate examinations, it demands a general knowledge of the history of the British Empire, with special reference to Australia and New Zealand; a specified period of English history, and a rather loose and Incoherent knowledge of civics and applied economics The addition Of tho special period can hardly induco thoroughness in a syllabus already overburdened, while the rather formless collection of civic details will probably end in confusion worse confounded. It certainly seems that a history syllabus Is scarcely the place In which to demand a knowledge of public health and oldage pensions.

The Preparatory School has made remarkable progress during tho last two years. In splto of the many difficulties it has had to face, It has continued to grow until the names of no less than SO appear on the roll The result of the Inspectors' examinations wero in every way satisfactory, and bear ample, testimony to the sound work done bv those responsible for this section of the sehooi Twenty-seven boys from St VI. wero entered for the proficiency examination, and of these -4 gained proficiency, two gained competency, and one failed. In their report on tho school, the inspector stated: "In all subjects this class passed a particilnrlv good crimination, tlie English subjects being particularly strong."

It was with sincere regret that w» learned that Mr. C. A McKinney, who has had charge of this department for the past four years, had accepted a position as organising teacher under the Taranakl Education Board The succes". achieved by his pupils has been in no small measure due to his energy and enthusiasm We were also unfortunate In losing the sen-lees of Miss J Tinmvcll, who, at the end of last year, was appointed Principal $f St. Marv's School, Hawera. Since her departuro the work of the lower preparatory department has been taken by Miss K. Campbell and Mr. D Saxton, both of whom have done excellent work In their respective standards An important innovation this year hss been the Introduction of a church service in the school hall. I desiro to express my sincere thanks to the Rev. H L. Harvle, who has, In tho midst of his multifarious duties, found lime to conduc* a school service every Sunday morning throughout the year This Innovation has proved on unqualified success, and will, I hope, result hi the near future, in tho erection of a school chapel on the school grounds

Tills report would bo incomplete did it not make reference to the old boys of the school Words cannot adequately express what tho school oives to Its old pupils and to the Old Boys Association The latter body, oacked by public support, was largelv Instrumental in providing this fine hall ln which you are now seated. In a hundred wavs wo have been able to feel that there exists an Indissoluble bond between, the school and Ps old Sr? Tho "Sh they nre numerlrallv small, 2.1(1 of our old boys answered the call to arms, and HO or them now lie buried beneath alien sk!es To these nvir admiration and our gratitude go nut. Their glorious deeds Wil be an evnrlnstliig inspiration to the generations of Taranakinns yet to come. With all our hearts we can say

And you, our brothers, who for all our praying, To this dear school»of ours come back no more. Who lie, our country's debt of honor paying— And not in vain—upon the Aegean shore, Till that great day when at the throne in Heaven The books are open and the judgment sot, Your lives for hnnor and for England given, The School will not forget. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to every member of my staff. Working under great difficulties for a considerable portion of the year, they have given of their best. To the host of friond3 who have assisted the school my thanks are also due. Their help and support have been greatly appreciated by all those connected with this Institution. ' I desire, too, to acknowledge the excellent work done by the school prefects, whom I have to thank for a school year totally devoid of any Mrious trouble. Finally, I desire to aetaoW-

ledge the ready sympathy and help consistently extended to the school by the Board of Governors. Sir Robert Stout then gave an interesting address, which is dealt with elsewhere. PRIZE LIST. The Mayor referred to the most recent grants made by the Government, and said it was a rfcognition that the Government was going to do its best for education. Mr. Clarke congratulated the principal and the boys on the position which the school held, and he impressed upon th e boys that the public's appreciation of the school rested with the example of the boys, for it was the boys who were making the history of the school. The way to make traditions was to give the boys who would follow them something to beat. Standard I.—A. Hetherlngton 1, P. Allen 2. Standard lI.—D. Hetherington 1, J. L. Gray Standard 111 H. F. Fookcs 1, T. R. List 2. Standard IV.—V. Barak 1, E. Leech 2. Standard V.—H. Bellrlnger 1, E. Jeffries 2. Standard VI.—M. Lysons 1, B. Blundell 2. Form HID.—J. D. Mackay 1, E. R. Brewster 2. Form lIIC.—J. McMahon 1, F. Newell 2. Form lIIA.—R. Lea 1, A. Gibson 2. Form IVA.—G. Hughson 1, J. Messenger

Form IVA.—-R. Bellrlnger 1, R. Hair 2. Form VB.—W. Berridge 1, K. Ducker 2. Form VA.--M. Barak 1, J. Henderson 2. Form TIB—N. Waddle 1, L. RlchaTdson 2. Form VIA.—R. Syine 1, K. C. Roberts 2. Bendall Memorial Prize (literature).—R. Syrae. White Memorial Trize (essay),—N. Waddle Dux Medal.—R. Synie. Head Boy's Medal.—J. M. Hine. General Excellence Cup.—L. G. O'Hallm- , Agriculture Prizes.—Form III: L. Mackay; Form IV: S. Wood; Form V: D. Sutton. Commercial Prizes—Form III: F. Julian; Form IV: G. Hughson. Society of Accountants' prizes.—N. Bellringer and D. J. Mackay. During the evening a splendid musical programme was given. The school orchestra provided several items which drew gen'erous appreciation from the audience. G. Smith and J. Roberts played a pianoforte duet, Mr. R. Day sang two fine songs, and the boys of the school also sang. The proceedings terminated with the National Anthem.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19191213.2.11

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,640

THE HIGH SCHOOL Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 3

THE HIGH SCHOOL Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 3

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