E.—l

16

Needlework, a new subject authorized in 1928, was added to the curriculum in 1929, and has proved a most popular subject, much work of a high standard already having been sent in. It is found in some instances that children who are comparatively backward in general subjects do exceedingly well in this type of handwork. The second number of The Postman, the annual magazine, compiled almost wholly from material sent in by the scholars, was published in December. The magazine, which was financed by advertising and voluntary donations from the parents, has done much to strengthen the spirit of co-operation between home and school, and also to foster the growth of a real school spirit. Physical Education. This phase of the school-work continues to make very good progress. In addition to physical exercises, folk dancing, organized games, rhythmic movements, field sports, swimming, and life-saving are receiving adequate attention. Physically defective children selected by Schools Medical Officers receive a special course of physical exercises. The treatment of physical education is in keeping with the modern trend of education, teachers relying more on the spirit of the work than on the performance of the various drill movements. During the year physical instructors, seventeen in number, received a special advanced course in physical education under Dr. Renfrew White, and a course in swimming and life-saving and in folk dancing at Wellington. Increased attention to instruction in the various phases of physical education is being given in all the training colleges, and students so trained will be qualified to act as instructors in every branch of the work. In addition, twelve specially selected students received a third year's training in physical education at the Dunedin Training College. A Manual of Hygiene and Physical Training is in course of preparation. Great progress has been made in swimming and life-saving. Last year 15,836 certificates were issued to primary and secondary pupils, an increase of 4,000 certificates on the previous year's returns. Practically all training-college students can swim, and an increasing percentage earn life-saving certificates and other awards. The staff of instructors continues to do very good work both in the training colleges and in the schools. Manual Instruction. Staffing. —On the 30th June, 1929, there was in the employ of the various Education Boards a total of J3l full-time specialist teachers engaged in giving instruction to senior pupils in woodwork, metalwork, and domestic subjects, besides twenty-three specialist instructors in elementary agriculture. These teachers were classified as under. Class VII is the highest, and in Division I are placed those teachers whose classification is based on academic or professional qualifications equivalent to at least a University diploma involving three years' preparation of University standard.

Full-time Classified Teachers in Manual-training Classes as at 30th June, 1929.

Division I. Division II. Class. j j Totals. Men. Women. Men. ' Women. j I I | . I VII .. VI .. .. .. 1 5 6 12 V .. .. .. 9 1 19 8 37 IV .. .... 3 .. 14 7 24 III .. .. .. 2 | 5 12 7 26 II .. .. .. 1 6 8 4 19 I .. .. 2 | 19 11 4 36 Totals, 1929 .. 18 • 31 69 ' 36 154 Totals, 1928 .. 17 23 j 65 38 143