N 7
in method was apparent: Decimal Fractions were almost invariably treated as Vulgar Fractions. Class 3 (again excluding the A Division) was very little better in attainment than Class 1. Class 2 did very good work, as did also Class A. In Algebra Classes 5 and 4 did very well; Class 3A was distinctly good; but the remaining sections of this Class were again weak, carelessness in the use of signs being general: guessing at results was apparent in several cases. Classes 2 and 1A shewed excellent results, notwithstanding that the questions set were more difficult than in previous years. In Geometry, & marked improvement was noticeable all round, "with the exception of Classes 3B, C, D and E where the subject is apparently not understood. Trigonometry, an optional subject, was taken by 30 boys, divided into two sections. Both did excellent work on difficult papers. Notwithstanding the weaknesses I have referred to, the general Class results are distinctly good.
Promotions. The curriculum in the Upper School is now based upon that laid down in the Oxford Local Regulations. This has necessitated extensive changes. In previous years special Oxford Local Classes were formed in February or March of each year, in preparation for the July examination. This year, however, the Oxford work was commenced in September, after the Midsummer Vacation. As our Annual Examination for promotion is held in January, difficulties naturally rose in Classes 2, 3 and 4 where the boys had to commence their new year's work 5 months earlier than they would have done in the ordinary course. When extensive changes are made, however, difficulties must inevitably occur during the period of transition. Under the new scheme the School Year extends, as far as the curriculum is concerned, from Midsummer to Midsummer, closing virtually with the Oxford Local Examination. It follows as a natural result that most of the promotions from Class to Class must accordingly take place at Midsummer, and therefore that the School Year will in effect end at Midsummer. The next Examination for Class promotion will be held in July next, when the boys have had a complete scholastic year at their work. The examination will be more searching than that just held. Under the present system a boy is promoted who obtains not less than 34% of the aggregate number of marks for all subjects offered. In order to obtain promotion a boy will be required in July next to obtain at least 40% of the aggregate number of marks, and in addition 40% in each of the following subjects:-English Composition, English Conversation, Dictation and Arithmetic. Failure to pass in any of these subjects will be an absolute bar to promotion.
I must state here that under this new scheme the percentage of passes at our Annual Examination in July next will possibly compare unfavourably with those shown in our previous Annual Examinations, and that a number—probably the majority—of those who fail will leave the College. But the disparity which is often apparent between boys in the A and C Divisions of a Class will grow less with each succeeding year, and with the raising of the standard which must inevitably result I anticipate that we shall attract to the College more boys of the type we require,—not boys who are content to find themselves regularly at the bottom of their Class, but boys who regard their studies seriously and aim at excellence instead of mediocrity.
The system of awarding marks for annual promotion has also been revised. In order to promote the study of English,—the most difficult subject in our curriculum—higher marks are awarded for Conversation, Composition, Translation, etc. And to encourage boys to work