N 4
9. The Staffs of both the Kowloon and Victoria Schools were increased by one English Mistress. This is the main cause of the increased cost per unit, as shown in Table I.
10. Peak School.-The School was opened on January 6th in temporary premises at the Peak Hotel. 8 former pupils of a small private school, which had been carried on for some time in the house of a resident of the Peak, formed the nucleus around which the present numbers have grown. In all 41 children have passed through the school, and the year closed with 30 in actual attendance. 11 pupils have left; in 9 cases the reason was the departure of their parents from the Peak District.
11. The Staff has consisted of one Head and one Assistant Mistress. In July, Miss Skinner arrived from home to take up her duties as Assistant Mistress, when Miss Stevenson, who had filled the position temporarily, was transferred to the Belilios School. The Staff has since been strengthened.
12. The following extracts are from the Report of the Inspector:-
"With children of such varying ages, and with the limited Staff of the school, the classification of the pupils has been a somewhat difficult problem. In the Lower School the Assistant Mistress arranged the pupils into three separate Classes, while in the adjoining Class-room children between the ages of 7 and 12 were taught by the Head Mistress.
"Work. The work generally has been of a most elementary character; a modified form of kindergarten was adopted with the youngest children.
"The subjects taught include Holy Scripture, Reading, Writing, Number, Dictation and Composition (written and oral), History, Geography, Drawing and Brushwork, and Needlework for the girls. A special feature of the teaching has been the use of the Direct Method of teaching French by means of songs, recitation and simple conversations. The singing and recitation both in French and English are particularly good. The children seem very happy, and undoubtedly take a great interest in their work.
"Discipline.--On the whole the discipline is now satisfactory, although at the beginning of the year the older boys were a good deal out of hand.
"Drill. The need of a suitable open space for physical exercise has been greatly felt. In the case of boys this has been partially overcome by the appointment of a Scout Master to teach drill after school hours twice a week. The movement has proved very popular.
"The Scout Movement.-All the boys, except the very young ones, have been taken on walking or climbing expeditions, and they have had several "talks" on the subject from Major Bowen, A.P.D., who has undoubtedly earned the gratitude of boys and parents alike by his unflagging devotion to the welfare of the Peak boys."