SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 16087, 12 April 1916, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

MORAY PLACE. The attendance has increased continuously since the Moray Place School district was defined in 1909. The average for the year has been 525, and the attendance was /ery regular, and the health of the children excellent. The new system of physical drill was brought into operation at the beginning of the year. The result is undoubtedly excellent. A special feature of this drill is that those children showing physical defects aro formed into a class, and special tuition given to them to remedy these defects. The results are as yet unknown, but up to_ the present time there is evidence that this special treatment is beneficial. The annual examination of the school took place at the usual time. The report by the inspectors was very good. Tn the proficiency examination all the candidates wore successful, and the school won both the Caledonian Society’s scholarships of five guineas each, also a junior national achilarship; and these indications point to an increase in the efficiency of the school. The staff, which number eight, have to be congratulated on the success of their year’s work. Mr J. N. Stewart, head master, has the interest of the school thoroughly at heart, and under his able supervision the school progresses very satisfactorily, and the tuition given ;o the scholars is very thorough. The other members of the staff have also worked hard during the year, and the results of their labors must be gratifying to them.. The school band, under Mr Lake’s tion, still continues the source of usefulness for which it was inaugurated, and it has during the year assisted at many patriotic functions. During the year the hand made two excursions into the country, staying overnight and returning next day. Needless to say, the conduct of the hand boys was excellent. The ochool garden is a source of great interest to the boys of Standards V. and VI. An additional piece of ground has been acquired, and the boys have worked hard, and have secured a fair crop of vegetab'es. The instruction given in this direction will be of great value to the boys in after years. The Eev. C. E. Nevifl and Sisters Mabel and Jean have conducted Bible classes during the year. The finances are in a very satisfactory condition. The income for the year amounted to £lßl, and the expenditure to £lO7, and wo finished the year with a credit balance of £73. The girls and boys attending the swimming classes at the Municipal Baths acquitted themselves very creditably at the swimming carnival—obtained two first, three seconds, and one third : a very creditable performance The school still continues to do its share of patriotic work; large numbers of useful articles have been prepared by the girls from material purchased by the parents and friends. This work will probably _be extended in the future, as a fund is being acquired from which material will be purchased to bo made up by the scholars. . Wo must also draw attention to the excellent manner in which our janitor, Mr A. W. Foster, does his work.

MAORI HILL. At the beginning of 1915 the roll number was 331, and this increased until on December 31 the roll was 364. The average roll for the year was 342, and tho average attendance 326, tho percentage of attendance being 95.3. The present roll is 375. In July the school was examined by Inspectors Richardson and Robertson, and their report was again of an excellent nature. For throe years in succession tho whole of tho pupils of Standard VI. have gained their proficiency certificates. The pupils of the school have taken a great j interest in patriotic affairs, and since the beginning_ of the war have raised over £llO, besides doing a considerable amount of sewing and knitting for the soldiers. Mr Wright is still conducting his Bible class, and has every Monday afternoon an attendance of over 130. There are 78 depositors in the savings bank, and tho amount to their credit is £64 5s 6d. The school band have taken part in several patriotic functions, and are making good progress. A sewing machine for the use of the upper classes has been placed in the school, and part of the cost of this was met by the members of committee. The school is well represented in our overseas force at the front, no fewer than 27 old hoys having obeyed tho Empire’s call. The finances are in a satisfactory condition, the income from all sources "being £lßl 19s Bd, and the expenditure £l22°ls 6d! leaving a balance on December 31 of £59 18s 2d. CAVERSHAM. The attendance for the past year has been excellent, the average roll number being 660, and the average attendance 630, giving an average percentage of 95.4. The reports on the examination of the school are of an excellent character. The health of the scholars has been good throughout the year. _ The school is fumigated every term holiday, and the floors are disinfected daily. The school choir this year gave the proceeds of their concert to patriotic purposes. The total amount contributed by the school children towards such purposes was £65 16s 6d. They also assisted in making useful articles for the use of soldiers at the front. The roll of honor instituted at the beginning of the war now contains over 70 names. ° Duriim the year the various ministers of the district have carried on a Bihle-reading lesson every Friday morning. The income°on 'the general account was £73 14s 6d. This added to the balance (£IOO 3s lid) carried I from last year brings tho total to £275 18s sd. The expenditure wa-: £176 Is 9d, leaving a balance of £97 l.ri Bd ‘ ~ | MUSSELBURGH. i The school opened in August, 1905, with 91 pupils, and in 1915 this has grown to 612, with an average of 571 for last quarter. The school has now reached the highest grade, and soon will reach the maximum allowed by tho Education Board. : Tho present credit balance in the savings i bank is £l4B 10s 9d, being an increase o; £lO 15s lid on last year. The number : of volumes in the library is 637, and 70 ' in the junior library. The band have been of great assistance during tho year, and , their services have been greatly appreci- j ated. The new uniform fund is £57 in ! credit. The purchase of new uniforms has | been delayed in the meantime, owing to | aii the mills being extra busy on war I material. The committee feel that at least i £IOO should be in band before purchasing. ] as the total cost will be about £l2O, niil j the annual expense in alterations and re- ! newals will he considerable. The Navy ; League are ahvavs well supported; lid' pupils are members. Proficiency was i gained by 21 scholars. Teachers and | scholars (loyally helped and supported bv ' the parents) still unite in making nec-s- : sary articles for our soldiers, and their ! gifts are warmly appreciated by ■ the j workers. The scholars are keenly interested | in the collections in aid of Dr Barnado’? I Homes, and our school heads the lists for | the number orhoys and girls assisting in 1 this movement from Dunedin. The school I club attained third place in football, and were runners-up in cricket. Stuart Muir won the senior championship medal and Mr S. Tyson’s medal for swimming. The response by ex-pupils to the Empire’s call has been excellent. No fewer than 35 oxpupils and two ex-teachers have enlisted and are doing their duty for the Empire, The honor roll is now being prepared for unveiling. The weekly Bible class is still conducted by ministers and helpers from several denominations.