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The loss in fees for June and July is due to the fact that it was found necessary to reduce to the Lower School some pupils whom, mainly on account of their age, I had first of all placed in the Upper School.
Withdrawals.
Six children were withdrawn from the school in the course of the year-four because their parents were leaving the Colony, one (who has since been re-admitted) because she was too small, and one because it was thought that the Convent School would suit her better.
Staff
The teaching staff during this period has consisted of the Head- mistress (Mrs. JAMES), the Infant Mistress (Miss CALCUTT) and myself.
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Curriculum.
The following subjects were taught at the school during the year:- Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, English Composition, English History, Geography, English Grammar, Drawing, Sewing, Algebra and French.
We have been at considerable pains to make the teaching as interest- ing and attractive as possible to the infant pupils (who form a majority in the school), and their evident keenness on coming to school, coupled with the accounts which we receive from their parents, prove that we have met with a certain measure of success in this direction.
They have shorter hours and more frequent intervals than the bigger children. Miss CALCUTT gives them Object Lessons, and often makes them learn their ordinary lessons marching round the room; Mrs. JAMES teaches them to colour skeleton drawings with crayons, and also teaches them Musical Recitations with character gestures; while I teach them three times a week by the aid of Education Pictures.
Desks.
The new patent adjustable desks arrived from America towards the end of the year. They are now in use and are giving complete satis- faction. They are greatly admired by all the Schoolmasters who have seen them, while two schools-one in Hongkong and one in Canton-are taking steps to procure similar ones.
Gifts, &c.
H. E. Sir W. J. GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G., presented the school with a framed portrait of himself: Mr. W. C. JACK presented the school with a flagstaff and a large British flag, while the Committee of the old Kowloon School defrayed the expenses of a Tea, a children's Pantomime and a Christmas Tree, for the benefit of the pupils.
Nationality.
When the school was started it was predicted that innumerable difficulties would arise in the way of maintaining it exclusively for Eu- ropean children. These difficulties *
were easily
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overcome, without hurting the feelings of any of the Asiatic or Eurasian applicants who had to be rejected.
Religious Instruction.
It has
No religious teaching is given as part of the school course. been given out, however, that the school buildings are always (except during school hours) at the service of any Minister of the Gospel who may wish to give religious instruction here to those among the pupils who attend his church.