KELBURN SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 109, 10 May 1935, Page 11

KELBURN SCHOOL

CAPITATION GRANTS

SWIMMING AS A COMPULSORY

SUBJECT

The annaul meeting of the Kelburn School Parents' and Teachers' Association was held last evening in the school, when there was only a moderate attendance of members. Mr. W. P. Walker, chairman of the school committee, presided. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that as was the case last year there had .been a considerable expenditure on the. swimming pool, viz., ; £20 16s, as well as a charge of £9 Is 6d for a school telephone, which accounted for the reduced balance. "Thanks to the keenness of the staff," stated the report, "the school was able to- enter a greater number of teams than; previously. * In football (Mr. Pottinger) we had four teams, five boys gaining places in the representative teams, that is, three seniors and two juniors. In cricket (Mr. Vietmeyer) we had two teams which were very successful, much improvement being shown, one of the boys gaining senior representative honours, and two junior. Basketball (Miss Glover), a high standard of play was maintained,) there being three teams playing regular weekly games. Tennis (Miss Hilliard), weekly games for girls. Sixty-four swimming tickets were applied for, and the numbers improved over the greater distances, eleven children .swimming 880 yards. The pupils who entered for the carnival were not as successful as those in last year's carnival, but they acquitted themselves quite creditably. Parents are indebted to members of the school tstafi for their interest and effort in coaching the children at games. "The schools' saving bank scheme is receiving considerable support,: there being 150 depositors making regular weekly deposits. "Through the closing of the Terrace Main School arid, the" junior department being attached to Kelburn as a side school* with, Miss Hilliard :in charge, the roll now stands as 390, the highest for over two years. If a regular attendance is maintained, there is the probability of a rise in grade with consequent additions to the staff. \f A "The school building has been strengthened against'earthquake risk, and the new heating system has at last been installed and is very. satisfactory. Trees were planted on Arbor Day." The balance-sheet, which was also adopted,. showed receipts amounting tp £72 13s sd, the principal items being the balance .brought, forward £38 19s 4d, subscriptions £11 2s 6d, and proceeds of fancy dress ball £17 8s 2d. The expenditure totalled £41 lls lid, leaving a credit balance of £31 Is 6d. It was decided to authorise the expenditure of up to £25 in the purchase of a wireless set, together with extension loud speaker, to one extra room. Mr. W. P. Walker was elected chairman of the association; for- the next twelve months and Mr. McGill was appointed secretary. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr- McGill for the valuable Work he had r put in as secretary of the association during his past period of office. STAFFING AND CAPITATION. Some discussion took place in regard 'to the present method of capitation grants to school' committees and the appointment of teachers, special mention being made of the continual changes in staff-from which most schools suffered. The following .motion was^ carried unanimously:-,--"That this meeting of the Parents' and Teachers' Association of the Kelburn School desires .the Education Board to,advise the Department and the v Minister of Education that roll number instead of average attendance be used as the basis of staffing and payment of capitation ■in all public primary schools.". . The headmaster, Mr. Finlayson, was asked to prepare a report for submission to the next meeting on the present system of education. . COMPULSORY SWIMMING. Messrs. Jolly, and Miller introduced the question of 'teaching scholars to swim (> the latter expressing the opinion that it should be', placed on the syllabus and be made compulsory in passing from class to class. After considerable discussion the following motion was carried:— "That this meeting of parents and teachers of the Kelburn School desire to recommend'to the Wellington Education Board that it: endeavour to influence the Department of Education to make swimming and life-saving a compulsory subject, in the absence of a doctor's certificate,, wherever facilities are accessible and that competent instructors' in life-saving/ be appointed by the board (or Department) to give the necessary tuition." It was decided that both motions shall be circulated amongst the organisations interested as well as being forwarded to the Wellington Education Board, the, Department, and the Minister of Education.