SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14034, 15 April 1909, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS.

HIGH STREET. _ The annual report of the High Street School Committee, to be presented to the meeting of householders, states: Attendance : Average number on roll for the, year, 578: average attendance, '530. Both these figures show a decided increase on the corresponding ones for the preceding year, which must be taken as suggesting that the popularity of the school is not on the wane. Penny* Bank : The deposits *-!r t J ,! '.)' cllr exceed the withdrawals by £l7 7s 3J,d, and the total amount standing on the credit eide of the ledger is £219 lis. Examinations: These are now held in December, and all promotions take place at the beginning of the year. The inspectors report very highly on the condition and tone of the school, and state that the methods of teaching adopted are very good. Cadets: Xo. 1 Company are uniformed, and equipped with the service model carbine. Captain Robertson is still in command, and the corps are well drilled and disciplined. Conduct of Pupils : The head master reports that the behaviour of the pupils has at all limes been excellent, and that they are punctual and regular in their attendance. Bible Class: Owing to the poor attendance during 1908. Mr Duncan Wright notified the Committee at the beginning of this year that lie t'elt reluctantlv compelled to discontinue his weekly visit's !o tin' school. The Committee placed on record in the minutes their p:sl estimate of Mr Wright's painstaking assiduity for thirteen years, and their sorrow that he hud found it expedient to abandon the class. Swimming Baths: The Committee have not yet sufficient funds in hand to warrant their proceeding with the erection of the Daths. Old Boys' Club : The Committee regret that it should be disbanded, and sr-gest that some organised etfort be made to revive the club on a sounder basis than tormerlv.

CAVKRSHAM. The report of the. Caversham Committee states that the work of the school, under the management of .Mr C. Youn" (head master) and Miss Donald (matron] and staff, continues to maintain its high standard of efficiency. The inspectors' report was considered satisfactory, and the Committee passed a resolution complimenting the head master and staff on the result of the year's work. Owing to an increased average attendance and to alterations in the staffing regulations, the leaching staff lias been increased by one probationer and one assistant teacher* The number on the roll at the end of the year was 615. There have been 255 scholars entered during the year, and 227 have left. The average attendance has been: Hoys 303, girls 253. being 95 per cent, of the number on the roll, which should be considered highly satistactory. The Committee have endeavored to encourage regular attendance bv continuing the practice of awarding framed certificates, and the number of scholars who earned these were 128 first class, 76 second class, and 73 extra. Beside these about 100 books were distributed for class work i.iul special subjects, and the Committee are indebted to the householders for their liberal contributions, amounting to over £oo. to the fund devoted to this purpose. The transactions of the penny savings bank were: Deposits, £132 Is lidwithdrawals, £ll6 14s 6d. There is a balance to credit of depositors of £B6 2s Id. The Cadet Corps numbers 39. With the object of improving the shooting of the cadets, an improved U.S.A. air rifle was purchased, and fhe result has been very satistactory. The company have been greatly handicapped by the want of a convenient rifle range. The refurnishing of the upper miant room has been satisfactorily settled, the Board having early in trie year undertaken the work and 'completed it to the entire satisfaction of the Committee. Another matter that should give general satisfaction is the provision macie tor the extension of the playground On learning that the property adjoining the school was on the market for sale the Committee succeeded in persuading ' the Board to purchase it for the above-men-tioned purpose, and it is now being cleared ant prepared for use. A proposal to start a library m connection with the school came from the Education Board. After consultation with the teaching staff the Committee were compelled to leave the matter in abeyance, but heartily commend the project to the favorable consideration ot the new Committee. For two years negotiations have been in progress 'with the Dunedm Drainage Board with a view to securing a proper sanitary equipment for the school So tar nothing has been done, and it , s hoped that the new Committee will persevere in this matter until the work has been completed. Other matters hat have engaged the attention of the Committee have been the renovation of the walls ot the old portion of the building and the refurnishing of several of the class rooms. 'J he Committee have so far failed to impress the Education Board with 'he necessity for the former work. In connection with the latter, a promise has been given that the work will be carried out as opportunity offers.