✨ School Inspection Reports
In the two former the very meagre attainments are disproportionate to the constant employment of two adult teachers in each of these schools. They are both in a disorganized state. Dirt, disorderly conduct, and a general want of tone characterise the Lyttelton Church of England School. Great allowance must be made for the demoralizing influence of their former school accommodation. In the St. Alban’s School there appears to be an unequable distribution of time and labour. Some allowance may be made for interruptions on account of sickness and of the agricultural employment of the elder children. Some fit for the higher classes here are found at school either at Christchurch or at Papanui.
I am convinced that the course of instruction and the whole arrangements in each of these schools requires to be remodelled.
The Arowhenua School is inconveniently situated.
The Elementary Schools here classed as efficient are the
Lyttelton Wesleyan School.
Duvauchelles Bay Church of England.
Papanui Wesleyan School.
Those of inferior efficiency are the
St. Luke’s School, Christchurch.
Lower Heathcote, Ferry Road, Church of England.
Rangiora, Girls, Church of England.
Oxford, Church of England.
Before concluding this Report I may be permitted to remark that it cannot be matter of surprise that so large a proportion of inefficiency should exist. It is coincident with the apathy of local school committees, unaware of the defects in the schools over which they affect to preside. In rare instances has any member of the school committee appeared during the examination. At the High School lay and clerical members have done so occasionally. In the Rangiora and the Papanui Church of England schools, the respective incumbents have attended during the whole or the greater part of each examination. At Kaiapoi and the Riccarton district schools the parochial clergymen usually attend. And the schools so visited are generally more efficient than the rest. Much benefit, either of stimulus, or of encouragement, accrues to both teachers and children from the presence of local patrons during the examinations. There are other obvious advantages which I need not now detail.
It may be my duty, also, here to record my impression that the standard of attainment, whether as to sound knowledge of ordinary and higher subjects, or as to equable progress in elementary ones, has for years past been falling off. It is a natural consequence of the swollen numbers in attendance without a corresponding increase in the teaching power. The fair progress of the younger children in elementary subjects is now more observable in the outlying districts than in the towns.
It is satisfactory to be able to record that greater attention is now being paid to the study of the Holy Scriptures.
I beg respectfully to submit the above facts and statements to your attention and consideration, and have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.
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Canterbury Provincial Gazette 1865, No 22
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Reports of Inspector of Schools
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🎓 Education, Culture & ScienceSchools, Efficiency, Inspection, Canterbury, Education
- J. P. Restell, Inspector of Schools