SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 16086, 11 April 1916, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

RAVEN SBOTJRNE. The Ra-vensbourne .School Committee report -: Twelve general and two special meetings were held during the vear. The average attendance at the school during the last quarter was 181, the average number on roll 192. With the exception of the September quarter, when there was a slight lulling off due to an epidemic, the atfor the year was verv satisfactory. The. results of the inspectors' examination show that the head master and his staff arc to be congratulated on the excellent tone, discipline, and general work of the school. The resignation of Mr MMullan, first assistant, was received with regret on November 8, 1915. Mr M'Mullan left us to take up the position 0 . y r '; t . assistant at St. Glair. He carries with him the best wishes of this committee and school. Mr Biichan was later appointed to the position of first assistant, and assumed his duties on the 3rd inst. the financial year closed on December 31 last. The total receipts for the vear were Mot) 12s lid, the expenditure being £lO5 es leaving a credit balance of £25 4s lid. the school savings bank, under the supervision of the head master, is in a verv satisfactory condition. The sum of £l3 <« 2d was raised bv voluntary subscription tor school prizes, donation to school library, and picnic. A large number of new books were added to the school library. The annual picnic was held at Warrington on February 11, and was attended by 173 children, adults, and teachers. The committee desire to thank' the donors ot fruit, lollies, etc. The efforts of the Aavy League, with their literature and tno pictures they have presented, are much appreciated, as calculated to encourage interest and pride in our naval history. The teachers and children are to be commended for their zeal and industry in sewing and knitting articles for the"'use and comfort^ of out soldiers. The instructions 01 the Education Board as to sanitary precautions to be observed in view of the danger of an outbreak of infantile paralysis are being carried out. The, question of the advisability of continuing the practice of giving attendance prizes was opened at the last meeting, and it was resolved _to leave the matter to the consideration of the incoming committee. Mr E. Leach has vacated the jariitorship of the school, and Mr 0. .Andrews has been appointed to the position. ANDERSON BAY. The number of pupils on the roll, states the annual report, is still steadily increasing, and is now close on 300. The work of tho school lias gone on without interruption throughout the year, and we have been free from any epidemic; but in view of tho outbreak of infantile paralysis in other centres tho committee haw taken every precaution, by disinfecting the rooms, to guard against any trouble. The attendance of the children has been exceptionally regular right throughout. The annual inspection was highly creditable to Mr Courts and his assistants. The teaching staff is tho same as last year, with tho exception of Miss •Smith, who resigned, and her place has been taken by Mies Weir. Tho committee have approached the Education Board for more accommodation for tho scholars, as at present the avmnasium hall has to bo used as a- classroom; and although the board have mado it fairlv suitable, yet it deprives the children of shelter sheds in wet weather. Owinn- to the number of calls on the parents' on account of the war, the committee, have not thought it advisable to trv and raise any money locally for general improvements, but would recommend to tho incoming committeo the necessity of raisins some funds to improve the school "rounds and to erect shelter sheds. The committee desire to thank parents and friends for their donations to the prize fund for the annual break-up, and to thank nil those who gave donations and snecial prizes for the annual picnic. The Bible classes have been conducted, as usual, by the local clergymen, and have been 'well attended.

ST. CLAIR. Tho number on (he roll on 51st- March. 3915, was 228. Tiie average attendance for Hie year was 222. Tjio number on the roll on 31st December, ISIS, was 234. The report from the inspectors is very satisfactory, and reflects great credit'upon the tea chin :* and the eood work done bv Mr the stall. Tho rostdt-.s of the proficiency examination wee excellent. The pupil teacher and probationer were hoik successful in passing their cxaminati ons. The school library is popular with tho children, and the demand for books bv the children is gratifying to the coin-mittc-e. During Ike year 'two cor,certs were given by pupils and ex-pupils. Theso pioved most successful financially, and. were muck appreciated by parents and friondo who attended. During the year the. hca'th of the- children has been excellent. When tho threat of an epidemic of infantile paralysis occurred, ihe committee arranged for the fumigation of the school buildings and outhouses. This safeguard is still being enforced. During the period under review the school lost the services of Mr Lenihan and Miss Lyders, tho former being promoted to another school, whilst the latter resigned from Hie service, of iho board. Their positions have been filled by Mr M'Mullan and Mrs KusseH. In both theso teachers your commit i'-e have the fullest confidence, and wo consider the school fortunate in securing such, competent assistance. Work has commenced at the site of the new school, and ifc is hojxd the school will be opened tor rise early next year. A roll of honor for ex-pupils who have served and are serving the nation k;'s h<->m placed upon the wall ■in the school. Tho committeo desire- to express their sympathy with the friends and relations of tkos? who have given their lives for our Empire, and to those who hove been wounded or have suffered through illness for us. The pupils Tiavo during the year worked continually in making" bandages and other articles for the use of oVr soldiers. The children are to bo complimented upon tho good work they have done. NOTCTH-EASST VALLEY. Tho committee report that the quarterly attendances have been : March. 1915, 599; June, 591: September. 582: December. 617: March, 1916, 614. The June, and September quarters were badly affected with sickness. Tho attendance for last quarter (March, 1916) is tho first occasion on which tho school has ever had an attendance of over 600 during the first quarter of the voir. The average attendance for last year was 602. and tho school has had two additional pupil teachers appointed in consequence. Mr P. J. Anderson, of the teaching staff, left to servo with the reinforcements. ' The animal inspection of the school was held in July, with very satisfactory results, the inspectors' report reflecting great credit on tho head master and teaching staff of tho school, and the committee, had great pleasure in conveying the following motion to Mr Flamank and his staff:—"That, in the opinion of this committee, tho inspectors' report is eminently satisfactory, and tho committee desire to congratulate the head master and his staff on the snlendid results of their year's work." Thirty-one presented themselves for tho proficiency certificate, and all were successful. In the departmental examinations Percy Edwards and Lena M'Cutckeon were awarded junior scholarships, and 23 were successful in the national scholarship and free placo examinations. Every one of the pupils in Standard VI. qualified for a free" place at tho Technical or High Schools. During the year 1915 21 boys and 10 girls from Standard IV. learned to swim at the municipal baths. The statement of receipts and expenditure duly audited to December 31 last shows a credit balance of £45 Is 3d. The Bible reading every Thursday morning has been continued throughout the year with very satisfactory results, and the committee desire to express their appreciation of the services rendered by the ministers of the various denominations who have so willln"ly given their services from time to time. The roll of honor in connection with the school now contains 150 names, witk more to follow, and the committee have cause to feel irroud of the manner in which the ex-pupils of the school havo rallied round the colors during the present war. The committee would also extend

to those who hare been bereaved their heart-felt sympathy with them in their sorrow, the following having given their lives in the cause of their King and country :—Sydney Bees, S. B. Deans, D. Bardsley, Jack Dow, W. H. Harvey, F. Nichols, T. Russell, T. Burnett, ]>. S. Munro, A. M'Neil, R, Mercer, C. Fancourt, and —. Pearson. More than usual interest has been taken in the library this year, there being at present 23 subscribers. Quito a large number of the latest volumes have been purchased, and besides a quantity of old books that were sold to make room for the new ones arriving, 150 old volumes have been donated for tho use of the troops. The committee recommend that the City Council bo approached with a view of'receiving n grant from time to time towards the upkeep of the library until such time as the council will Fee their wav clear to open a branch of the Carnegie Library in the jNorth-east Valley. The committee, in conclusion, would like to mark their appreciation of the excellent working spirit existing among the teaching staff of the school. One and all are working wholeheartedly for the general welfare of the scholars. Parents have every reason to be prnud of the school, the tcacbiiifr and discipline being all that could be desired.