SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 4 December 1914, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The Balclutha school committee held its ordinary monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Present: Messrs A. McEwan (chairman), G. W. Wood, T. A. Johnston, T. Weir, G. H. Beid (secretary), D. Watt, A. McDonald, and the rector (Mr W. W. Turner). CORRESPONDENCE. Alfred Grant wrote on be'hali of the Mataura Horticultural and Industrial Society asking if it would be possible for the Balclutha School to hold their annual picnic to Mataura on the date of the Society's annual show on February 17.—Received. Secretary Otago Education Board wrote stating that the sum of £2 15/being grant for cleaning Technical School had been paid into the National Bank.—Received. From same stating that the Education Board had favorably considered the committee's proposal to regard the average attendance at the school for the December quarter from October 1 to November 23, but definite decision was to be withheld till Mr Turner furnished separate returns for that period. The committee in the meantime to keep the attendance as regular as possible.—Received. • Secretary Otago Education Board wrote stating that the Education Board had authorised an alteration in the forms and desks in standard IV. room as requested and that the work would be done during Christmas vacation. Another letter was received from same stating that at a meeting of the Education Board it was decided on the report of Messrs Richardson and Rodgers that no additional accommodation could be supplied just now as there would not be the number of pupils in the infant room at the beginning of next year as at the present time. A copy of the report was enclosed.—lt was decided to leave the question till the beginning of next year and see what the attendance was then and if needed make another request for an additional room. RECTOR'S REPORT. The rector (Mr W. W. Turner) reported as follows for the past month under date December 2: — The average attendance for the quarter ending November 20: Primary 313. secondary 67, total 380. The pupils in Standard VI. were examined for proficiency certificates yesterday and today Matriculation examination began in the Technical School. As the end of the year is almost ut hand he respectfully requested tliat the committee decide the date of the break-up and speakers for that function. He would also be glad to know if the school would have a holiday on £Jhow Day. It was decided to hold Show Day as a whole holiday, and that the school break up on December 18th. The prizes would be given out in the Oddfellows' Hall at half-past 2. GENERAL. As an average of 4 71 per cent, for the year is required in the secondary department to entitle the school to a third teacher for that department, an effort is to be made to secure the regular attendance of all pupils on the roll. After discussion it was decided to send round a circular to parents and so put the case before them. A motion of sympathy with Miss Elder in the death of her mother w;is passed in silence. Accounts amounting to £lO 12/ were passed for payment.