School Committee.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2697, 7 October 1905, Page 2

School Committee.

SOUTHBRIDGE. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Southbridge School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present:— Dr Withers (chajrman), Rev Jackson, Messrs Hufcbard, Owers and Haley. An apology for absence was received from Rev Hamilton. Correspondence was read and dealt with. The headmaster reported the number on the roll m the primary department to be 161, average 12.5 ; secondary department 48, average 41 In regard to Mr Hicks' report the chairman said that it wotfld be necessary to have a larger room for the : secondary department, as about 50 pupils crowded into the room at present used were far too many. It would not be necessary to erect another room, as the one at present occupied by the infants would do nicely. Ot course it would not be wise to come to any decision m the matter until the teachers had been consulted. He thought they were entitled to another pupil teacher or an assistant, as the attendance had risen considerably during the past month. If the appointment were made, the teacher selected could not commence duties until after the

summer holidays. The chairman thought they should write to the Education Board re the matter and feel their way, as it were, and this, was agreed to by those present. With reference to the proposed changing about of the infants' and the secondary department rooms, Mr Hubbard moved that a committee : consisting of the chairman and Revs Hamilton and Jackson be appointed to inspect the rooms on a date to be arranged and report accordingly at the next meeting of the Committee. Seconded by Mr . Owers and carried. Mr Owers moved and Rev Jackson seconded that Mr Baxter be asked to fill up the vacancy on the Committee caused by the resignation of Mr Marquand. Mr Hubbard asked to what extent the Education Board subsidised the swimming baths. The chairman said there was no subsidy. The sum of £\ 7s 6d (as 6d per head) had been paid to Mr Thompson by the Education Board for instructing the pupils m the art of swimming during the past seaaon He thought that more children should be induced to take advantage of the bath during the coming season as apart from cleanliness, it was a great boon to the children m o:her ways. •.'-..• Rev Jackson thought the teachers should use their influence with the children to take more advantage of the bath. The chairman thought that perhaps a technical class for boys could be started after a while, which would induce them to spend their spare time profitably. . This was all the business.