SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 16089, 14 April 1916, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

FORBURY. The year has been a quiet one. but still prospermia. Having acquired all tho available property adjacent to the school. we set ourselves out to make it habitable! and with that end in view we let a contract to fill in the new property, and we arc pleased to say the work was carried "'it to fhe entire satisfaction of the committee, and the bovs' playground is row greatly extended. A large portion of the other playing area has been asphalted, which will be appreciated when the winter months come along. The janitor's residence has also received attention, havinc been thoroughly renovated, and also a new fence erected on the Oxford street h-uiuaga The hygienic pact of the school work has been well carried out during the year, and we are pleased to report that ino school has been practically free from the prevailing epidemics, which is in a great measure due to tho manner in which the janitor has carried out his duties, and iis a further preventive the committee intend erecting a small incinerator to destroy all rubbish, etc. Tho average atteadan.-e lor the year 1915 was 631, the number :V tne four quarters being 651, 657, 591, and 640. Ihe third quarter was low owinc t.- the prevalence of measles. The aver° n,j-e for 1914 was 650. The average roll i.umber for the year was 672, and the psr-<:.-ntage of attendance was 94. The average for the first quarter of 1916 is 651 out oi a roll number of 678. During 1915 iiA hrst class attendance certificates and 7o second class were awarded. Thi-- number was somewhat lower than the previous years mimoer, owing to sickness. During the past year, for. quite obvious reasons tne number of depositors in the savins bank shows a reduction. The amount deposited during tne year was a-bout iillo, and the withdrawals amounted to £ll6 leaving a balance of £9O. As usual, large withdrawals took place at Christmas tinic, about £lO3 beiny withdrawn. Mr Duncan Y\ right still continues his good work in conne'juuii with the niole class. Inspectors Kichardson and .Robertson examined the school in June, and their general report on the management, methods of instruction, and discipline of the school was quite up to the High mark of previous years. During 19i5 50 pupils were presented for tne proficiency certificate, 48 passing and one gaining a competency certificate. During the year the bovs . Ve "' good a PP ea 'ance on the iootbai neid, though tney did not gain the high position won in the past two years. lu.cricket, owing to the break in uie middle of the cricket season and the want oi suitable ground, much progress lias not been made. .Now that an asphalt pitch lias been laid down the boys will have better opportunity to learn the game i-tie girls at, tiio end of last year too* up basket ball, and under Miss Ludd's tuitior made good progress in the game. As in the previous the girls and boys of btandard IV". attended the baths, and a large number of them learned to swim. During the year permission was granted by tne Education Department for the girls to depart from the usual sewing syllabus and devote a great part of their sewing time to patriotic sowing. The supply oi articles forwarded to the Otago Women's Patriotic Association and the Overseas Club ha* been most creditable to the school ' Besides supplying articles, collections have been taken up lor various funds, and about £l2O has been raised in the school in this way. During the year the committee decided to have a roll of honor of all es-pupiis who have offered their services to tight for their King and country. Mr Endey and Mr 2v. Johnson have been compiling it, and have up to date received 154 nanles, six of whom, we are sorry to say, have made the supreme sacrifice.

KENSINGTON. ''The Kensington School Committee report that the roll number for 1915 was 364, and the present roil as 4CO. The committee congratulate the head master and his staff on the excellent report received from the Education Board inspectors, the results being all that could be desired. All the scholars in Standard VI. obtained proficiency certificates. To the hon. secretary of the Olago branch of the Navy League the, committee tender thanks lor two framed pictures. Several other excellent pictures have been placed in the, school during the year. The Bible lessons have been continued throughout the year. The excellent attendance indicates that the parents appreciate the- good work done by the visiting clergymen. The small library provided for "each of the standards is much appreciated. A large amount of good work has been done by the statf and scholars in aid of our soldiers at the front. The articles made and sent away number 1,587. A roll of honor is being prepared by the head master. The finances are in a sound condition, there seine; a credit balance of £7B in the bank, in? tone and discipline of the school r© iect great credit on those in charge.