I. ALBERTA NORMAL SCHOOL. REPORT OF DR. COFFIN, ACTING PRINCIPAL NORMAL SCHOOL, CALGARY. HON. C. R. MITCHELL, B.A., B.C.L., Minister of Education, Edmonton, Alberta. SIR, I have the honour to submit for your consideration the sixth annual report of the Provincial Normal School at Calgary. The usual sessions were held during the year 1911, the first from January 3rd to April 28th, and the second from August 27th to December 22nd. The attendance is shown in the following table: During the first session, of the first class, three students discontinued the course, twenty-nine were recommended for first class interim certificates, and two for third class certificates; during the second session thirty-four were recommended for first class interim certificates, eleven for third class certificates, and two students discontinued the course. Of the second class, during the first session, sixty received second class interim certificates, nine received third, and five discontinued the course; during the second session, seventyeight received second class interim certificates, ten received third, and five failed to complete the course. In the first session of the year the special short course for British teachers was also held for one month, beginning January 10th. Sixteen teachers attended this course, four men and twelve women, two having been granted first class professional standing, and fourteen second class. Inspector Fife, of Edmonton, was the special instructor in charge of this class, and the members of the regular staff assisted by giving instruction in their specialties. The attention of this class was mainly directed to the study of The School Ordinance and Regulations, the Course of Study and such features of the curriculum as might be less familiar to them. The opportunities afforded by this short course, and the appreciation shown by the teachers taking it, show the wisdom of this new departure. The selection of Inspector Fife for this work has been particularly fortunate. At the close of the first session the following changes in the staff took place: Mr. W. H. Thompson, B.A., resigned from the principalship, and the vice-principal assumed the duties of this office as acting principal; Mr. J. C. Miller, B.Sc., A.M., also resigned, in order to complete his course for the Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at Columbia University; and Miss E. M. Burnett, supervisor of art and primary work, resigned on removal from the province. In July the following appointments were made: Mr. W. G. Carpenter, B.A., Principal of the Calgary High School as instructor in Science, Mr. R. H. Roberts, M.A., of the Edmonton High School staff, as instructor in Mathematics and History of Education, and Mr. A. E. Hutton, of the Owen Sound Collegiate staff, as instructor in Manual Training, Drawing and Writing. A further extension of the work during the year was the introduction, under the contract with the Strathcona Trust, of a course in Physical Training. Classes were begun in the second session, and a full thirty hours' course was completed before Christmas. Although the work has been necessarily conducted after the regular teaching hours the course has been quite successful, and has on the whole been thoroughly enjoyed by the students. Apart from its value as a part of the teacher training it is of distinct value to the students personally, and our only regret is that our floor space is not larger and better suited for marching and running exercises. Sergeant Instructor Armitage, who has had charge of the classes, has given general satisfaction. Not more than two failures were reported at the final examinations held before the District Officer Commanding. Naturally, since the institution of the scheme in Canada, an increasing number of those who come from the eastern provinces already hold certificates; nevertheless, many of these are glad to repeat the training. It is a great satisfaction to report that our library is steadily increasing and that the use thereof by the students is becoming more general. Special library periods have been set apart in the weekly programme in order to enable the students to become more freely acquainted with the books and periodicals. Not to exceed fair limits of space in this report by going further into detail, I feel called upon to mention one specially regrettable condition of things: namely, the weakness of our students in English Composition. Very little can be done in four months, for students of almost mature years, in establishing readiness and correctness in oral and written expression, and the need is therefore urgent that training in practical English, rather more than in the technicalities of rhetoric, be given its full value in the High School course. |