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Appendix E.
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE HEADMASTER,
VICTORIA SCHOOL.
By Government Notification No. 74 of the 3rd of February, 1905, the Victoria School was opened at Tanglunchau on Monday, the 20th March, 1905, to children of European parents, boys and girls being admitted with this restriction, that girls over 12 years of age are not to be admitted or allowed to remain at the School.
Classification. The school is divided into an Infant, a Lower and an Upper School. Pupils are transferred to the Upper School on attaining the standard of knowledge equiva- lent to the 5th Standard of a Public Elementary School in England.
Curriculum.-Upper School. The course of instruction provides for a thorough modern and general education and includes Mathematics, Physical and Commercial Geo- graphy, Constitutional History, English Grammar, Essays and Literature, Hygiene, the Local Industries, Freearm Drawing, Elementary Applied Mechanics, Pitman's Shorthand,* Geometrical Drawing. Lower School. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, Word-building, Composition, Freearm Drawing, Clay Modelling, Object Lessons, Singing, Sewing.† Infant School. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Singing, Drawing, Kindergarten, Sewing.t
*
In all classes the first half-hour each morning is given to Biblical Instruction.
Attendance.-17 pupils were admitted in March; in July there were 33, and at the Inspection in December there were 31 on the Admission Register. During the year 2 pupils left the Colony. There are now 13 pupils in the Upper School-2 girls and 11 boys, the average age of the latter being 13 years.
While the average attendance has thus practically trebled, the pupils themselves have attended school regularly, having put in at least 95% of the total number of attendances possible.
As the school year for 1905 included seven working mouths only, I have not recom- mended any examination in Religious Instruction for 1905, for the reason that all the pupils were re-classified at Midsummer and 18 new pupils have been admitted since Sept- ember. An examination would thus serve no useful purpose, as the syllabus of instruction has to be modified and half the pupils have not received six months' instruction.
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This being the first school year, continuity of instruction has been necessarily difficult; the progress made and the standard of attainment in any subject do not justify any special rewards for proficiency; accordingly I do not recommend the giving of Prizes by the Government in any subject for the year 1905.
League of the Empire.-On Empire Day, May 24th, 1905, the children assembled at school in the morning, an address was given by the Headmaster reviewing the chief events during the Life and Reign of Queen VICTORIA, the National Anthem was sung and a Holiday given for the rest of the day.
It is intended to celebrate Empire Day 1906 by carrying out Lord MEATH'S suggested programme for Empire Day celebrations, and the Victoria School will join the Kowloon School.
Nelson's Day. The Upper School received special lessons upon the Growth of the Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries including biographies of Napoleon, Wellington, and Nelson.
During the holidays the Upper School pupils contributed essays for the Lord MEATH Empire Day Essays Competition, 1906; five of these essays were authorized by the In- spector of Schools for despatch to the Federal Council. The results of this competition will be duly announced.
Athletics. In response to a letter which I sent to parents, subscriptions were sent to the School Sports' Fund to cover the expenses for the supply of material for Cricket, Foot- ball and other games.
The boys take a keen interest in their games, and compete in the Hongkong Schools' Football League Competition. At least one match a week is played, and several fixtures in both cricket and football have been arranged for 1906. All boys are compelled to take part in some sport, unless parents for a valid reason expressly desire otherwise.
* Boys only.
↑ Girls only.