✨ School Inspector Report
xviii.
There has on the whole been a steady increase in the average attendance and the fees, and at a higher ratio than for the same quarter of last year. This is the more satisfactory considering the prevalence of sickness and unfavourable weather.
It will be seen from the Schedule as to their efficiency, that the number of Schools examined has been 37, including 1071 children. The number of Schools examined is ten more than during the corresponding quarter of last year, but the number of children is, however, 66 less; this is owing to my omitting several larger schools, visited during the quarter for the preliminary examination of their Candidates for Junior Scholarships, also, the attendance in those examined has been decreased by the weather and the Hooping-cough. Examination chiefly without notice, has also caused a less forced attendance.
The generally efficient, or improving character of the Schools, is a source of considerable satisfaction.
The salutary admonitions of the Board have, in several instances, awakened the interest and attention of parents and others, besides calling forth greater energy on the part of Teachers.
The Scholarship examinations have also reacted beneficially on all connected with the Schools.
The Military Drill, introduced into many of the Schools, has, in several instances, been followed by more precise and orderly habits in the children. It has also proved a very wholesome recreation, after lessons, to the youth of both sexes. This is more particularly exemplified in the Leeston School.
The introduction of systems of vocal music into several Schools supplies, in such cases, a great desideratum. "Curwen's Sol-fa System" appears to enable the pupils to speedily acquire the reading of the notation, and the singing of part music in chorus. I believe that this system is introduced by authority into all the Schools of a neighbouring Province, and with a satisfactory result.
The want of assistance in some of the larger Schools, seems to indicate the desirability of initiating a pupil-teacher system in accordance with the provisions of the 20th Clause of the Education Ordinance of 1864.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.
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Canterbury Provincial Gazette 1869, No 5
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Summary Report of Inspector for the Quarter
(continued from previous page)
🎓 Education, Culture & ScienceSchool attendance, fees, efficiency, military drill, vocal music, pupil-teacher system
- J. P. Restell, Inspector of Schools
- J. P. Restell, Inspector of Schools