BOROUGH SCHOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 281, 8 September 1938, Page 6

BOROUGH SCHOOL.

ACCOMMODATION FOR INFANTS. A PRESSING NECESSITY. Strong objection to the fact that the Department of Education had not yot taken any definite stop in the matter of provision of outoffice accommodation for the infant pupils of the school, was expressed by members of the Ashburton Borough School Committee last evening, ft was urged that as the new infant school was ready for occupation, it was desirable that construction of the proposed new latrines be commenced without further delay. The Department had been informed that the new building would not. be used until a start .was made with the construction of the other necessary accommodation.

“As the present infant school is overcrowded, it will he necessary to occupy the new school building at the earliest possible date,” stated the headmaster (Mr M. J. Leith), who suggested that the Education Board be asked to treat the matter as one of extreme urgency. At present 96 pupils were crowded together in the one inadequate school, a fact that made the position not- only most inconvenient to the teacher, but also unhealthy for tlie children.

A member pointed out that as measles were so prevalent just now something would have to be done immediately to ease the position. Mr W. K. Waters objected to the proposal of occupying the new building before the outoffices had been constructed, stating that the Education Department had been aware of the position from the start.

Reporting for the visiting committee, Mr L. Christmas said that he had inspected the school that day, and was quite certain of the urgency for the new building to he occupied, but was also sure that outoffice accommodation was an absolute necessity. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman (Mr W. H. Sarney), who will communicate with the Minister, the Education Board, Mr H. E. Herring, M.P., and Mr Stanley Smith without further delay. The chairman (Mr Wt H. Sarney) presided, and others present were:— Messrs AV. G. AVels'h, N. L. Milner, A. E. Gill, L. E. Carter, L. Christmas, N. L. F. AA 7 ood, and AA r . Jv. "Waters. Headmaster’s Report. The headmaster reported that the average attendance for the term ending August 19 was 366.5, the total roll at the end of the term being 422. The present roll was 434. The minimum number lor the next sub-grade was 441, and a special effort, was being made to increase the roll to that number before Friday, September 16. The roll number on that date will determine the grade of flue school for staffing purposes. As the grading which is ascertained then will stand until 1940, it was of great importance to the school that every child who was eligible to do so should enrol immediately. The school had had a successful winter’s sport season, continued the report. In football the hoys won tin* senior seven-a-side and midget soven-a-side tournament. The school also won the midget weekly competition. A total of nine players had been chosen for the district school representatives. Eight girls had been chosen to go to Timaru to take part in a basketball tournament. It was decided to insure all equipment not under the control of the Education Board to the extent of £225.