SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ REPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 11

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ REPORTS.

ST. LEONARDS. The Committee met on twelve occasions during the past twelve months, and have given careful attention to the requirements of the school and grounds, which'they now hand over to the incoming Committee in satisfactory condition. There are numerous small repairs, tending towards further improvement, which could be effected, but the small quarterly allowance granted bv the department demands the strictest economy, and matters of necessity call for first attention. The average attendance for the year has been: For quarter ended June, 1908, 45; September. 1908, 46; December, 1908, 45; March, 1909, 46. ihere is a slight increase as compared with the March quarter of last year, which stood at 41. and the Committee are glad to state that there are palpable signs of improvement during the ensuing year, as the number dh the roll now stands at 56, with promise of further addition at an early date. The annual inspection of the school by Mr Goyen was made on sth August, and proved most satisfactory. Great credit is duo to Mr Phillipps and Miss Lothian for the good results in their respective rooms, and the Committee had pleasure in placing upon record a minute congratulating Mr Phillipps and Miss Lothian on the efficient state of the school at the annual examination. In September last the Committee received Mr Phillipps’s resignation as head master of this school to take up duties on the staff of the Albany otreet school. Ihe Committee regret losing the services of Mr Phillipps, who has always proved an efficient and painstaking teacner, and thanks are due to him for the efficiency which the school invariably maintamed during his term of head mastership. i ?a' V - V arrin ß^ n < of Pine Hill) was selected as Mr Philiipps’s successor, and since taking up duties on 2nd November last has gained the respect and esteem of the pupils. During the month of October the school was satisfactorily earned on by Mr Menzies. The annual break-up was held on the 18th December, and proved a most successful function Ihe parents and friends of the pupils contributed liberally to the prize-list, and the Committee take this opportunity of thanking all who responded so heartily to the call made upon them, and especially Mr 1 urdie, for his kind services in judging on that occasion. The Committee gratef,• acknowledge their indebtedness to the Education Board for large improvements effected on the residence, and for the courteous manner in which thev have met the Committee in all matters 'placed before them during the past rear. Owing to the numerous calls made upon the par? ents for school purposes, the Committee deemed it advisable not to have a picnic this year. The balance at the credit of the school account with the Post Office Saving Bank is £4 17s Id. NORTH-EAST VALLEY. Your Committee report that the attendance for the several quarters of the vear was as follows : —First quarter; Number on roll, 545; average, 508. Second quarter; dumber on roll, 547; average, 498. third quarter : Number on roll, 560 : averag n r^ 7 ’ Fourth quarter: Number on a y era 3 e .> 420. Average for 1908, Ihe above figures show a substantial increase as compared with last rear, and in consequence the school has risen one wade and secured an extra assistant. The annual examination was held in June, and your Committee have to congratulate Mr Murray and his staff on the excellent report received from the insnectors. The statement of receipts and expenditure shows that there is a debit balance of £8 7s 5d owing to the fact that ihe householders have not been asked during the past vear lor any contribution whatever. In consequence the locally-raised funds have been small, and the Board’s allowance has been inadequate to meet the necessary expenditure. V anous improvements in ‘the fences and mounds have been effected. Followin'* on the scarlet fever epidemic, the school was thoroughly disinfected. Bible instruction classes are regularly held by Mr Duncan M right and the Rev. G. W. Hardin", in February, 1908. Mr Wright’s class commenced with 140 boys and girls, the average being 170. ihe average this vear is even higher, and, the attendance of bovs especially excellent. The Thursday class conducted by the Rev. G. W. Harding continues to increase in size. At present nearly ninety names are on the roll with an average attendance of over erihtv. During the year the cadets, under the'carclul and capable supervision of Major Murray and Captains Rawlinson and Moore have given some attention to shooting, with the result that they have been wonderfully successful m their several competitions , M , ol ' t . ( ; f , seTa ' and securing the fiouth Island shield with a score of 724 out of a possible 840. The No. 1 Dunedin Battahoii of Public 6chool Cadets, commanded by Major Murray, lias thus held the shield twice first the Port Chalmers P.S.C. were wmnere. and now the North-east Valiev P.S. Cadets. The Regent Road School, Calimi Hill, Edinburgh, are going to exchange flags with the school. After a lengthy and most creditable sen-ice of twenty-one years, Mrs Sdiiugleton resigned her position as janitress, and out of tmrty-one applicants Mrs G. Tavlor was appointed m her stead. From all points f view the school is in a flourishing condition. It has been the Committee’s continued aim to make it so by fostering the advancement of the children'generally, and in this connection too great praise cannot be green to the teaching staff, who work haimoniously together and spare no pains in their endeavor to improve the standard oi education and discipline.