BOARD OF EDUCATION,

(MARCH 29—APRIL 25) 1867.

MONTHLY REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.

To the Honorable H. J. Tancred, Chairman.

Sir,—I have the honour to submit a Summary Report on the schools examined during the month, and also to report the examination of one Candidate for a Mastership.

OF THE SCHOOLS EXAMINED:—

Papanui St. Paul’s ... March 29 ... Present 75 ... This school is well organized, efficiently conducted and largely attended. The average of accuracy is greater than that of any of the other ordinary schools; this is more especially observable in the Spelling and Arithmetic, subjects in which a numerical test is decisive. Taking 1 as the standard of accuracy; this school has attained 0.7, the next nearest approach being 0.5.

The copy books are very neat and creditable, giving evidence of constant supervision by the teachers.

The registers are remarkably neat, they are kept with fidelity and accuracy. The result is, that correct returns are punctually forwarded.

I believe that the Local Committee purpose again to enlarge the School; but, as there is ample school-accommodation in the immediate neighbourhood, their funds would be better bestowed on the remuneration of an assistant teacher, or a pupil teacher.

St. Michael’s School ... April 1 & 2 ... Present 135 ... The building requires some repairs, which the Committee, present at the examination, promise to ensure. The arrangement of the desks and classes is not a good one; they are badly placed and too crowded. The school is not now so over-crowded as to offer any excuse for this arrangement.

The attainments were on the whole satisfactory; but the school ought to take a higher position than it has at present attained among the ordinary schools.

St. Luke’s School ... April 3 ... Present 78 ... The insufficiency and the bad arrangement of desks, pointed out at this date, are being rectified.

The good order and attainments are very creditable to the mistress and the new master; but especially to the former, who formed the school, and has been in charge of it for many years.

Papanui Wesleyan School ... April 4 ... Present, 20 ... Discipline and efficiency weak at present. Should show great improvement by the next examination.

Christchurch Wesleyan School ... April 9 ... Present, 144 ... This is now the largest and most efficiently conducted of the Ordinary Schools. The master, Mr Cumberworth, is devoted to his work. He is assisted by his daughter and another female assistant.

The school excels in knowledge of the Bible and in general knowledge; the average of accuracy throughout the school in Arithmetic and Spelling is very fair.

Several good papers were done during the examination.

Creditable copy-books, satisfactory registers, a good time-table, and a sufficiency of books and apparatus make up the complement of this model school.

Lower Heathcote School, Ferry road ... April 12 ... Present, 31 ... Another set of desks will be wanted.

There is still the same deficiency which I noticed in a previous report as to the furniture of the school. A clock is wanted, in order to ensure punctuality in the school-hours and in the change of lessons.

A fender, to protect the floor from falling cinders or embers; and maps, for occasional reference and instruction in Geography.

The registers were incomplete as to dates, side and foot totals, and averages. No attention has been paid to the circular of Dec. 8, requiring "scholars’ ages,"