THE SCHOOL YEAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 167, 29 April 1935, Page 7

THE SCHOOL YEAR

REPORTS TO HOUSEHOLDERS. / \ MANY SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. CONCERN REGARDING ROLLNiUKBERS. Though there are no elections of school committees scheduled for tonight, committees elected twelve months ago holding office for two years, meetings of householders in several districts will be held this evening. There will not be any meeting in connection with the Ashburton Borough School. Following are reports which will be presented to meetings:

ASHBURTON EAST. PROTEST AGAINST STAFFING SYSTEM. Regular meetings of the committee were dield at which the attendance of members was very gratifying, and a keen interest was evinced by members in everything pertaining to the welfare of the school. Owing to the school falling a grade, and the consequent smaller amount received from the Education Board for incidentals, the balance-sheet, which opened with credits of £2B / s Id in the general account and £l7 12s 2d in the No. 2 account, has closed with a credit of £4 9s 6d in the general account, and £8 11s 3d in the No. 2 account. The Education Board replaced the dadoes in Nos. 2 and 3 classrooms and boarded up'the ends of the washbasinstand, besides making a grant of £l2 toward the cost of top-dressing the paths round the school. The school was visited hy several members of the Education Board on May 31, but though they made several promises with regard to necessary improvements such as painting, etc., the committee has been very disappointed in having to record that these promises have not yet been fulfilled. The year 1934 was remarkable chiefly for the amount of sickness which affected, more seriously than for years past, the average attendance of the pupils—this more particularly during the second term. A second feature of the year, independent of local conditions, was the reduction in permanent staff, due to a fall in grade (6C-6B), the direct consequence of the exclusion of the five-year-olds. How impossible it has beento hold the higher grade will be seen by the reference to the roll numbers, term by term, in 1932, 1933 and 1934, namely 1932, 500, 490, 472; 1933 : 440, 444, 474; 1934 : 445, 455, 472. To keep an average of 441 on either set of figures was manifestly impossible. The time is opportune, we think, to register once more a protest against the absurd system of staffing on average attendance, instead of average roll, as during both the years quoted, we were responsible for all the children on the roll. The full effects of our fall in grade .are not yet apparent, for, with rationed teachers still available, we have had a staff considerably greater than our grade has warranted. It is to be feared that next year we will be back to larger classes, and an inevitable lowering of efficiency as a teaching institution. Then will the loss of an experienced (grade 2) teacher be most keenly felt. During the year, a milk-ration scheme has been instituted. This has been possible by the assistance of the Ashburton branch of the Sunlight League, to whom the thanks of those interested in the children's physical welfare are due. The medical inspection of the whole school was carried out in May by Doctor Baker-McLaghlan, as was the annual inspection by the Department’s inspectors. Both of these visits were made under very bad conditions, there being present only 350 out of the then roll of 482.

The school opened with a roll of 435 in February, and the present roll is 433. The attendance so far lias been good, and parents are urged, in the interests of their children,, to see that it remains so throughout the year. Outside of classroom teaching some few events call for comment. The summer and winter sports have been carried on with enthusiasm and a fair share of success in the Inter-School fixtures.

We are particularly gratified at the winning of the boys’ banner at the inter-schools athletic meeting. This is the first time this coveted trophy

has come to the s6hool. A large number of swimming certificates have again been qualified for, and in this, as in other departments of sport, the school is indebted to members of the staff, who have given of their time and their special knowledge ungrudgingly. Much remains to be done before the conditions unlder which the children are getting their primary education are what they should be. __ In spite of the constant watchfulness and concern of the committee, buildings, grounds and equipment leave much to be desired, and, we fear, will do so as long as primary education receives far less consideration from the Government than its importance to the community and the country deserves. The events of the year of outstanding interest were the annual picnic to Timaru, again largely attended, and the visit to Ashburton of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. For the first time, also, we held our own school sports after examinations were completed, and these, though not largely attended hy parents, were most successful.

Two educational experiments since last year’s householders' meeting are worthy of chronicle. In 1934 an “arithmetic week” was undertaken, with interesting and profitable results, and just recently a large scale map of New Zealand has been laid down in the playground in concrete. This is already stimulating the study of geography. During the year the scnool received from the Education Board a school environment certificate for 1933, as a mark of appreciation for the care taken of the school and its surroundings. This lias been framed and hung in Standard VI. room.

The staff are conscious of, and grateful for, a very large degree of interest and co-operation on the part of parents and friends, and trust this feature of school life will increase, and further that the community as a whole will not rest satisfied till all children have, through their school, the best possible education, with a correspondingly good start in lire.

ALLENTON SCHOOL. DIFFICULTIES REGARDING THE ROLL. The committee has pleasure in presenting their annual report' for the year 1934-35, this year being again one of good progress in all departments. The school work has been well maintained, being upi to the standard oi other years, and this in spite of the fact that for the staff the year was an exceptionally difficult one owing to epidemics of measles and influenza. However, over the broken attendance of a very great number of the children the school work progressed .very satisfactorily. This is borne out by the very excellent inspectors’ reports and the result of the examinations. At the annual proficiency examination 18 children gained proficiency and tvvo gained competency certificates, while in connection with an examination conducted by the Ashburton High School four boys (Robert Plunkett, Ken McConnell* Robert Maynard and Norman Capon) were awarded John Bell Memorial Scholarships. A good standard of work was maintained in the other classes, most of the children being promoted'. . . The roll-number has been maintained, the present number being exactly the same as last year. The outlook for the future is not too bright, as the three largest classes are in the uppei part of the school, and it is going to be difficult to enrol as many children during the year as will be withdrawn each December. . . Staff.—Mr G. E. McCurdy and Miss N Flynn resigned their positions on the staff. Mr W. Hunter and Miss J. Dunbier were appointed to the vacancies. Miss E. Jary acted as relieving teacher from April until August, when Miss Dunbier took up her duties Sport.—The outside activities of the pupils have been well looked after, and very satisfactory success was obtained by the children at the annual swimming and athletic com me sports. Teams will be entered in the various grades of the football and basketball competitions conducted by the Mid-Canterbury Schools Sports Association. , Improvements. —The trees on the school grounds along Winter’s Road were removed and a new Cyclone fence erected. The fence was supplied and erected by the Canterbury Education Board, the committee subscribing £25 toward the cost. This part of the grounds has been levelled and planted with shrubs, the Agricultural Inspector advising the committee on the class of ornamental shrub most suitable. The Education Board granted £2 15s toward the cost of these shrubs.

The Board removed the horse paddock, this giving more room for gardens and improved the appearance of the grounds. Library.—The school library has been augmented, the Board having granted a subsidy of £3 4s 6d toward the cost of book,s procured. Entertainment.—The annual fancydress ball and concert were again organised by the staff, and proved most ranged last winter by the committee were not so well attended as they might have been. The break-up and prize-giving ceremony was held on December 19, Mr Stanley Smith being the principal speaker. The annual sports organised by the staff pioved a very successful function, the sum of £l2 being realised. This amount has been placed to the credit of the swimming bath fund. The committee is holding euchre parties this winter to augment this fund and trust these will be well supported by the residents of the district. The annual excursion to Timaru was held in February, the Ashburton Woollen Mills joining with the school.

In the early part of the year the committee, in conjunction with the Allenton Sports Club, decided to hold a carnival, and from the proceeds of this function the committee received £2B 6s 4d. Health. Dr Baker-McLaghlan visited the school, and gave a very favourable report on the health of the children.

Mr W. Barrett, who lias been secretary for the past eight years, has tendered his resignation. During the time lie ivas in office he was of very great assistance to the committee, and it is with great regret that we received his resignation. From this evening Mr G. H. Hardy will be carrying on the duties of secretary and treasurer. The committee desire to place on record their appreciation to the minister who conducted the Bible reading classes in the school, also their thanks to the headmaster and staff for their assistance during the year in raising funds for the school and for the efficient manner in which they carried out their duties. They also wish to place on record their appreciation of the very happy and cordial relations which exist between the committee and the staff.

THE TINWALD SCHOOL. NO MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS

No meeting of householders will he held at Tinwald, but the committee has prepared the following annual report for publication in the “Guardian” : During the year 1934-1935, the Tinwald School Committee has held twelve meetings, all of which were well attended by members, who were most enthusiastic for , the welfare of the school. The year has been one of considerable progress, and many necessary works have been carried out, chief among which are the provision 01. new seats in the schoolground, shingling round the school, new basketball posts and goal posts, repairs to gardening tools, and cutting down of trees and trimming of macrocarpa hedges. A considerable sum of money was spent in providing school stationery and firewood and coal. The Education Board provided beaver-board for the walls of the class-rooms, removed a leaky ventilator from the school root, and improved the drainage from the wash-basins, and three members of the Board visited the school during the year, and made. favourable comments on the appearance of the school and grounds. The committee held the annual school picnic at Timaru in December, and provided sports’ prizes, sweets and biscuits.

The chairman (Mr J. H. Harper) and Messrs A. O. Wakelin, Stevenson and Frew attended several meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association, thus keeping in touch with educational matters.

Toward the end of the year Mr S'. W. Gower, who had been first assistant teacher at the school for over seven years, was transferred to Ashburton, and before his departure was farewelled at a very successful social. Presentations were made to both Mr and Mrs Gower.

The break-up ceremony at the end of the year was a most successful function, and the committee spent a large sum of money on prizes and sports.

The committee, expresses thanks to the ladies of the district for their willing co-operation in all school functions and for their ready help at all times.

The annual Flower Show proved a great success, and a considerable sum Ts available for school requisites. This will be doubly welcome as through a falling ai’erage attendance, the committee’s incidentals have dropped £ls.

In conclusion the committee thanks the school staff for their interest in school matters and for their willing cooperation and loyalty. The committee also thanks Mr T. E. Tarbotton for his continued interest in the school and school sports and for his handsome donations to the sports’ funds.

EAST DENTAL CLINIC.

DIFFICULTIES OF 'FINANCE.

The annual report of the Ashburton East Dental Clinic Committee is as follows:

The Dental Clinic Committee, consisting of Messrs J. H. Harper (chairman), A. C. Wakelin (Tinwald), W. B. Kerr, E. H. Childs (Ashburton East), B. Clothier (Willowby), L. A. Noble (Lynnford), H. Patterson (Eiffelton), H. Driscoll (Seafield), J. Sinclair (Walcanui) and W. B. Bryant (Flemington), held regular meetings during the year, but several of the delegates from the outside schools did not attend very frequently. The following figures show the work carried out hy the nurse (Nurse M. Campbell), and the committee recognise the great assistance she has been and the enthusiastic manner in which she carried out her duties, both harmoniously with the committee and in a pleasant manner with her little patients :

Operations 3095, attendances 1477, new patients 112, patients re-examined 667.

The statement of receipts and expenditure emphasises the great hardship imposed on clinics by the Government’s departure from the establishment of what were to he free clinics. The institution of a charge of £3O per nurse annually is qj heavy drain on maintenance costs and has been the cause of the imposition of a levy of 3s per. child to meet this charge and other incidental expenses. Receipts—Brought forward £1 5s 7d, contributions : Ashburton East £13195, Tinwald £8 10s, Eiffelton £6 6s, Lynnford £2 19s, Willowby £2 17s, Wakanui £1 Bs, Flemington 18s, Seafield 12s; total £3B 14s 7d. Expenditure Government charges £3O, laundry £3 19s 6d, caretaker £2 3s, printing, stationery etc. 19s 6d, sundries 17s 9d, balance 14s lOd; total £3B 14s Vd. The Dromore School Committee lias made application to join up and this request will have to be considered by the incoming committee. If parents would only recognise the great benefits to their children by takink advantage of school dental treatment the committee feels sure they would more readily respond and assist by regular payments of the levy imposed on each child treated, hailing the payment of this charge the committee has no option but to withhold treatment with a consequent heavy cost to the parents for private treatment later and a deterrent effect on the child’s health.