The school has suffered a great loss in the compulsory retirement of Mr. MACHELL, for he was not only a very energetic and efficient teacher, but was also always to the front in matters of recreation for the boys. He had been on the staff since 1892, so that his severance from the College will be all the keener felt.
4. The results of the Oxford Local Examinations are as follows:-Of the 8 juniors 5 passed, one of whom was a Chinese. Of the 9 Preliminary Candidates only 2 passed, one of these being a Chinese.
5. Of the four free scholars who were admitted this year, FUNG PAH-LIU (from Sai-ying-pun School) gained the Junior Morrison Scholarship, as the head boy of the Lower School.
6. During the year under review, great strides have been made in recreation and sports. I am happy to be able to state that a greater interest has been taken in sports generally by the Chinese, who have now got both Foot-ball and Cricket Clubs of their own, and I am further pleased to note from the "Yellow Dragon" that 2 or 3 Chinese boys are included in the College 1st Cricket Eleven.
Mr. TANNER is to be thanked for encouraging sea-bathing among the boys, and for starting a Club open to all who were willing to pay the fee, and of which many availed themselves.
The outcome of this was Aquatic Sports promoted by Mr. RALPHS, and held for the first time in the history of this school, and here again some of the Chinese shewed great proficiency.
In response to a general wish expressed by the Non-Chinese students, Mr. RALPHS (having first consulted Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, Colonel of the Hongkong Volunteers, on the matter) undertook to raise a Cadet corps which, with some of the former students, numbered close upon 50. Drills were carried on, and in November the corps was inspected by Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, who spoke very favourably of the appearance and drill of the boys, and stated that a scheme would be presented to the Government for sanction to attach the corps to the Volunteers. The decision is still awaited.
Another subject which I hope is under the consideration of the Government and which I trust ere long will be un fait accompli, is the building of a suitable Gymnasium.
An increased interest is shewn in the "Yellow Dragon," which is still in a flourishing condition.
7. I examined the Lower and Preparatory Schools according to the standing order of the Governing Body, and make the following Report :-
In the Lower School 397 were examined and 368 or 93 °。 passed.
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In the Preparatory School 310 were examined and 294 or 95 °, passed, making a total of
707 examined, out of which 662 or 94 °。 passed.
Compared with last year 101 more boys were examined and 133 more passed.
As will be seen from the attached Table C, Classes IVc. and VIIID. were by far the weakest. This is explained in IVc. by the fact that that class was constituted for the most part of the lowest boys promoted from the lower classes and even some from the Preparatory School. The VIIID. was constituted of new boys who have been but a comparatively short time in the school, and in Grant- in-aid Schools might be exempt from examination.
I was struck by the readiness with which questions were answered in the "Conversation” exa- mination even in the lowest classes, so long as I stuck to the exact matter of the book; and here the innate retentive powers of the Chinese came out strongly, for many of the boys had committed great portions of their reading lessons to memory. As soon, however, as I went off the straight path difficulties cropped up, and there was great stumbling.
8. Our warmest thanks are due to the donors of prizes whose names were published in the public papers when an account of the prize-giving was published.
9. The usual Tables A. and B. are attached.
ALFRED J. MAY, M.R.A.S., & F.E.I.S., Acting Head Master.
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