155

ST. ANDREW’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL, LICHFIELD STREET.

September 19—Present 28.

The tone and character of the school has been raised. Considerable improvement in the course of instruction. The room is better lighted and ventilated than formerly; with proper blinds it is pleasant for a small number.

PREBBLETON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL.

September 21—Present 17.

The efficiency of the school has been increased, with some alteration in the Committee. Considerable improvement in the general attainments since last examination. The second class, however, reading a book far too difficult for them, appeared injudicious.

LINCOLN PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL.

September 21—Present 19.

With the present and increased number, the school seems to be doing well and capable of efficiency.

The particulars of each examination are entered in the journal for your reference.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,

Inspector of Schools.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER, 1864.

SUMMARY REPORT, &c.—INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.

To THE HONORABLE H. J. TANCRED,

Chairman.

SIR,—

I have the honor, in obedience to your instructions, to submit a Tabular Summary of the Quarterly Returns as to attendance and payments, and a schedule as to the efficiency of the schools examined, both for the quarter ending September 30.

It will be seen from the tabular summary that during the quarter

The number of attendants has been 1930, a decrease of 61 on the former quarter;

The average daily attendance 1278, a decrease of 11;

The amount of school fees, £991 6s. 10½d., a decrease of apparently £133 6s. 4½d.

The decrease in the attendance is chiefly due to the wintry weather during some part of the quarter. And it is at the same time observable that there is an increase of 131 in the numbers, and of 158 in the average attendance, compared with the corresponding quarter of 1863.

Of the decrease in the payments, £100 is due to the College returns alone, in which the extra fees have not been included this quarter.

It will be seen from the Schedule as to efficiency, that the number of schools examined during the quarter has been 28. Those omitted having been the superior schools (College and High Schools), and five schools in the Peninsular District for examination early in this ensuing quarter.

The number of children examined was not more than 1011; the attendance in several instances having been reduced by bad weather on or before the day of examination.

The same schedule will show that the highest marks for efficiency have been assigned to the Papanui, Kaiapoi, and St. Michael’s Church of England Schools; and the lowest to the St. Alban’s, Kaiapoi Wesleyan, Lower Heathcote, Lincoln and Aro-whenua Schools. This not intended to be a severe censure upon these schools; but to characterise them as at present showing a low grade of efficiency. I have the pleasure of stating that I have not this quarter found occasion for a more serious complaint.

Both school committees, generally, and teachers, have been awakened, where that was necessary, to greater interest in their duties.

Other matters remain for the most part as they were stated in my Report for the June quarter. The details of each examination are given in the Monthly Summary and the Journal.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,

Inspector of Schools.