N 9-
21. Victoria British School.-This school is under the charge of Mr. H. A. Cox, B.A., and two Assistant Mistresses. The average attendance was 30 (31 in 1910) and the cost per unit of average attendance was $138.90 ($106.55 in 1910). This cost continues at a high figure, but it cannot be attacked by the exercise of economies. It can only yield to an increased attendance—a solution of the difficulty which the school with all its advantages very really deserves. The school under its present direction has become a new institution. The standard of work and the tone of the school are becoming eminently satisfactory.
I quote the following from the Headmaster's report:-
"So many changes have occurred in the constitution of the lowest classes, those forming the Infant School, during the year, that it is hard to form any idea of continued progress made in them.
These young children have their lessons given them in as pleasant a form as possible. They spend a considerable time at Kindergarten work, such as basket weaving, paper-flower making, &c. They are taught singing and drill—mostly by means of action songs. Many of them come to school at a very early age; there is one boy of 4 years here at present—these are taught simple reading and words, chiefly on the system of similarity in sound.
With regard to the work in the Lower School generally speaking, there is a vast improvement in all the work done in this section, and I now have ceased to look on the advent of new members of the Upper School from the Lower with my former apprehensions.
Instruction is given there in: Scripture, Arithmetic, Algebra, General Knowledge, Geography, History, English Composition, Reading, Writing, Dictation and Spelling, Recitation, Singing, Drill, Drawing (with pencil and brushwork), and Elementary Science (as a preparation for Hygiene)—the boys in Class 5 come to me for Geometry. I should especially note the improvement made in English Composition.
In the Upper School, which is under my charge, there have also been many changes during the year.
The standard of the work has improved. The boys, though younger on the average, are doing more advanced work than they were doing a year ago. Especially have they progressed in English Composition and I make a habit of devoting two periods on the same day to this subject, one before, and one after lunch; during the first period we have a kind of debate on the subject, whatever it may be, and in the afternoon the essay is written. This method has, I find, produced a marked improvement, not only in the number of ideas possessed by the boys, but also in their mode of expressing them. The hour's conversation is very useful to them too as a lesson in general knowledge, as all sorts of subjects crop up.
I have introduced Latin and French into the curriculum. The French I make as conversational as possible, and in these
N 9-
21. Victoria British School.-This school is under charge of Mr. H. A. Cox, B.A., and two Assistant Mistresses. The average attendance was 30 (31 in 1910) and the cost per unit of average attendance was $138.90 ($106.55 in 1910). This cost continues at a high figure, but it cannot be attacked by the exercise of economies. It can only yield to an increased attendance--a solution of the difficulty which the school with all its advantages very really deserves. The school under its present direction has become a new institution. The standard of work and the tone of the school are becoming eminently satisfactory.
I quote the following from the Headmaster's report:-
"So many changes have occurred in the constitution of the lowest classes, those forming the Infant School, during the year, that it is hard to form any idea of continued progress made in them.
These young children have their lessons given them in as pleasant a form as possible. They spend a considerable time at Kindergarten work, such as basket weaving, paper-flower making, &c. They are taught singing and drill-mostly by means of action songs. Many of them come to school at a very early age, there is one boy of 4 years here at present--these are taught simple reading and words, chiefly on the system of simi- larity in sound.
With regard to the work in the Lower School generally speaking, there is a vast improvement in all the work done in this section, and I now have ceased to look on the advent of new members of the Upper School from the Lower with my former apprehensions.
Instruction is given there in: Scripture, Arithmetic, Algebra, General Knowledge. Geography, History, English Composition, Reading, Writing, Dictation and Spelling, Recitation, Singing, Drill, Drawing (with pencil and brushwork), and Elementary Science (as a preparation for Hygiene)—the boys in Class 5 come to me for Geometry. I should especially note the improvement made in English Composition.
In the Upper School, which is under my charge, there have also been many changes during the year.
The standard of the work has improved. The boys, though younger on the average, are doing more advanced work than they were doing a year ago. Especially have they progressed in English Composition and I make a habit of devoting two periods on the same day to this subject, one before, and one after lunch ; during the first period we have a kind of debate on the subject. whatever it may be, and in the afternoon the essay is written. This method has, I find, produced a marked improvement, not only in the number of ideas possessed by the boys, but also in their mode of expressing them. The hour's conversation is very useful to them too as a lesson in general knowledge, as all sorts of subjects crop up.
I have introduced Latin and French into the curriculum. -The French I make as conversational as possible, and in these
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