SCHOOL COMMITTEES' REPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 14 April 1908, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' REPORTS.

MORXINuTON. Fourteen meetings were held during the year, the attendance of nicinben bciiig as follows:—J. Hope, D. Henderson, and .1. Ford W eacb, J. A. Haslctt 12, J. (Jarsidn 12, A. Napier 11, Rev. D. J. Murrav 10, .1. j Holgate V, Rev. W. Scorgio 7. During the holidays the school and "outbuildings were thoroughly overhauled and cleaned, spouting, drains, tanks, filter tanks, and the playground cleaned and cleared of rubbish, and all needful repairs -attended to. The school flagstaff, which was found to be a source of danger, was removed to another part of the building, securely fastened up, and repaired. The sam'tary and all oilier matters peviaining to the benefit of the school were attended to during the year, to the satisfaction of the Committee. The whole of the school playground has been top-dressed, and the parts not asphalted have been done, so that now the whole of the school grounds are covered with asphalt and top dressed, which is a great benefit to the children as a playground, especially in wet weather. The Committee claim that tho approaches and surroundings of thj Hornington School are second to'none in tho district, and the thanks of the householders arc due io tho Works Committee for carrying all these improvements to a finish. The money spent on works and repairs has been fairly large, and as the Education Board only allow half-cost, and in some cases; nothing, toward such works and repairs, you will see the necessity of at times appealing to the public for assistance, such as having a jumble sale, flower show, etc. Towards prizes the Education Board allow nothing, and that has to be provided for cither by contribution or by some other means. When you know that the ordinary Education Board grant is only £7B 4s lid, and tho special extra grant £l4 18s 6d, making a total of £93 3s sd, and that the cleaning, fuel, and sanitary expenses of the school alone amount to £75 19s 2d, you will see the small margin there is for other expenses. The credit balance would not be so largo by about £l4 if the asphalt contract had been finished before March 31. As it is, the outgoing Committee leave a good-credit balance, so that the new committeo can meet all liabilities (this being the only one) left by them. The total receipts for the year amounted to £205 17s lOd, and the expenditure to £l7l Is lOd, leaving a credit balanceof £34165. Of the receipts £37 2s 4d was carried forward from last year; £ll2 5s lid was received from the Education Board; and the balance (£56 9s 7d) was raised locally. Tho annual examination of the school took place in July, and the report of the inspectors shows that the head master nnd his staff still keep tip the high state of efficiency for which the school has been so long noted The only change in the staff during the year was caused by Miss Botting entering the Training College on the completion of her term as pupil-teacher. Miss Haslett was nppointcd in her place. Tovrards the end of the year Miss Whinain was granted three months' leave in order to visit Sydney for the purpose of studying up-to-date methods of kindergarten work. Tho cadets, under the care of Captain !■ Mathews and Lieutenant Mellop, still maintain a high level of efficiency, and the reports on their work are of a highly satisfactory nature. Sergeant Eric Napier won a prize of £1 at tho shooting competition. Cricket, football, and tennis clubs have been in full swing during the year, and the school holds a high position in every department of sport. It is hoped that the Committee will soon bo in a position to provide a fives court. The Committee have had tho subject of swimming baths under consideration, and it is intended to discuss the sub--iect at tho annual meeting of householders.

Aa ideal site for baths can bo found on th-' school grounds, where the necessary excavation can be done at a very small cost. The weighing and measuring of the pupils in the Fifth and Sixth Standards are still carried out systematically, and the records are carefully kept. The annual show proved a great success, the vegetables, flowers, and fruit shown being of splendid quality. It is to be hoped that parents and friend? will do ail in iheir power to encourage this very important branch of_the school work. The Committee desire to ih.ink the residents for the very substantial help given at all times in support of any movement for the advancement of the interests of the school; also to express their gratitude to the head master and staff for the manner in which the school work is carried oui. It affords (ho. members much pleasure to testify to !Inattention devoted to the manners of pupil*, and also to the excellent discipline which prevails.