MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9991, 11 March 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the SJasterton District High School Committee was held in the secretary's office last evening. There were present,— Messrs R. Brown (chairman), C. Perry, A. Hendry, J. Carpenter G. Townsend, R. Chapman, T. J. Thompson, E. H. Waddington, H. v/Leary, and W. M, Essthope, (secretary). A letter was read from the secretary of the Pahiatua District Hjgh School Committee, stating that the Pahiatua Committee had protested against the new rural course .being made compulsory. A letter was also received from the secretary of the Levin School Committee, stating that the majority o£ parents of children attending the Levin School were in favour of the rural course. The secretary said that he Carterton District High Scnool Committee had passed a resolution against the rural course being made compulsory. Considerable discussion ensued on this subject, and finally, on the proposition of Mr C. Perry, seconded by Mr A. Hendry, it was decided to inform the Education Board that the Committee who had listened to Mr Fleming's explanation of the new rural course, were still of the opinion that the rural course shoud not be made compulsory, and that children attending the country schools, should have the same facilities for passing the matriculation exmination as the city schools. Correspondence was received from the secretary .of the Educattion Board in reference to the Woodwork Building, stating that tenders for its erecton were to be called at one •. The Museum Committee (Mcs-rs Brown, Waddington and Thompson) were appointed a committee to dt.l with any question that may arise in connection with the building. The. Headmaster, Mr W. H. Jackson, reported, inter alia, that the atendance for the month was as fol-. lows "Main School.—Roll 587, average attendance 543. Side School.— 165, 153". Secondary Classes. —65, 63. An excellent record of attendance has been made for the month. The' accompanying absentee report I contains the names of a number of J scholars who were allowed by their parents to extend their mid-summer vacation by several weeks and thus I to interfere with the attendance reI cord, and also the work of the school, I for the first week or two after the I holidays. This experience is asually met with after every holiday, and it is much to be regreted. Two of the teachers of the staff have received appointments in other schools. Miss McLandress, M.A., of the Secondary Department, has been

appointed to the Greytown District High School and Mr H. Sutton to the Karori School. The two probationers appointed to the staff— Mis«? E. Dagg and Miss C. Evans—have both taken up their duties. A good start has been made with the new subjects of the rural course programme. Both teachers and scholars are entering on the work with enthusiasm. For the 75 per cent, of our secondary pupils who do not remain long enough for raatriculatfon, tbe new course is undoubtedly more beneficial than the old one, from both an educational and a utilitarian standpoint. It is essentially a course of practical work and gives little scope for "cram." For the matriculation pupils I have arranged with the chief inspector to modify, within the limits allowed, the programme, in order to admit of Latin and Mathematics being included in their subjects. I have pleasure in reporting to the Committee that, in spite of the bad weather experienced, our school cadets were so well looked after that no one appears to have suffered in any way. Major Haslam, and the other officers of our school in reporting to me, state that excellent discipline was maintained, and that the behaviour of the boys was all that they could wish".

v The Chairman read a communication from the Rev. H. Watson, requesting the committee to still further pursue their representation to the Education Board for introducing the Nelson system of religious instruction in the Masterton School, and respectfully suggesting that the opinion of ! the parents be obtained. It was decided to act on the latter sug'gestion, and Messrs • Brown, Thompson, and ' Hendry were appointed to frame a circular, to be sent to the parents, asking their opinion. The visiting committee, Messrs Townsend and Thompson, recommended that part of the aßphalt in the girls' playground be repaired, and the ground flushed. It was resolved to proceed with this work at once. Messrs R. Brown, E. H. Waddiugton, and R. Chapman were appointed a visiting committee for the myntb. The treasurer's report showed a credit balance of £lO4 16s Id, and accounts amounting to £39 were passed for payment.