SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 17636, 15 April 1921, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

FORBUEY. The outgoing committee report, inter aliaThe school and surroundings have been kept up to the usual standard of condition. The Education Board has carried out alterations and minor repairs to buildings, and during the summer holidays the whole of the existing aspnalt was properly graded, patched where necessary, and top-dressed, and is now in splendid condition. The hygienic part of the school has been well carried out by .the janitor (Mr M'Kay), who is ever ready to do anything tor the benefit of the school. Before the school was reopened it was thoroughly fumigated by the janitor, and was as clean as it was possible to make it.. The year 1 1919 was a very broken one, owing to epidemics. The schools, by order of the Education Board, did not open til] the beginning of March on account of influenza, and during the second and third quarters there was a severe outbreak of measles and mumps. First quarter—average 666, roll number 714; second quarter-average 642, roll number 718; third quarter—average 663, roll number 730 j fourth quarter —average 689, roll number 748. By departmental regulations the first three quarters were not counted in the average fox the year, so that the school staff and finances should not suffer through the epidemics. As a consequence of the epidemics the number of good attendance certificates at the close of the year was very much smaller than usual Eighty-sis pupils did not miss one attendance, and forty-nine did not miss more than five attendances. Last year the numbers for these two classes were 193 and 112. Thirty-four special certificates were awarded, two being given for eight years’ attendance, eleven for seven years, nine for sis years, and'twelve for five years. Forty-three were distributed the previous year. The alterations promised by the board were carried out during the year, and some of the classes can now be accommodated in smaller and more convenient rooms. This year Stanwards HI. and V. are divided, and occupy the four new rooms. 'These new rooms have been beautifully finished, with abundance of light and ventilation. Standard 11. room has also been fitted up with better ventilation, and the passageways in the main building have been thoroughly renovated. The cavings bank deposits amounted to £405, and the withdrawals to £526, leaving a balance at the close of 1920 a sum of £13 7 15s 9d. As usual, the withdrawals at Christmas were very large, and amounted to over £260. There are also references to the school record in sports, the school band, and the visit of the Prince of Wales. RAVENSBOURNE. The annual report of the, retiring committee states that the attendance, which averaged 181 for the whole year, was largely affected by the various epidemics that were about.” The changes _in the school staff are chronicled, and it is stated that 100 per cent, of the pupils passed their proficiency at the annual examination. During the winter months the giving of cups of cocoa was again carried but amongst the pupils. The penny savings bank deposits for the year were £33 10s lid; tho withdrawals were £47 6s 7d, leaving the amount to credit of depositors £53 6s 6d. CAVERSHAM. The annual report states that the report of tho inspectors on tho work of the school was of a very satisfactory nature, showing that the staff had carried out its duties faithfully and well. Tho thanks of the committee were conveyed to Mr Moix and staff on the excellent results obtained. In the examination for proficiency certificates sixty pupils were presented, fiftyone of whom gained proficiency and eight competency. In the scholarship examination one of tho pupils (Raymond Parker) was successful in obtaining a national scholarship. The school choir, under the skilful leadership of Mr A. H. Robinson, continues to do splendid work, the concert given in His Majesty’s Theatre in December last being a great success. Part of the proceeds of the concert is to be devoted to furthering the interests of the sport* side of the school work. This is a work which the committee is entirely in sympathy _ with, and one which it is desirous of seeing extended. Opportunity was taken at the choir social in December to make a presentation to Mr Robinson •of a gold watch, suitably inscribed, The average attendances for the four quarters have been as follow: —March quarter, '646; June quarter, £43; September quarter, 557 December quarter, 535. The number of scholars on the school roll at present is 659. The fall in attendance during September quarter was due to the prevalence of influenza, measles, and mumps.