SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Star, Issue 17689, 16 June 1921, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Tho regular meeting of the Port Chalmers School Committee was held last evening, tho following members being present: —Rev. W. M. Grant (chairman), J. M'Lachlan, AV-j Thompson, J. Osborn, A. It. Sutherland. It. D. Jack, E. Fleming, A. I). Asher, and J. Howden. The memo, from tho Education Board re saluting the Union Jack or the Now Zealand ensign and tho singing of the National Anthem by tho pupils of tho school at least once a week was heartily supported by the committee, and it was loft to the chairman to arrange with tho rector to have it carried out. Tho janitor reported that during tho winter holidays the school and Technical school had been scrubbed, and all the windows left open for the schools to bo thoroughly aired. The heater had been in use during the month, ; end had worked very well. Tho rector reported that tho average roll number for i the past four weeks had boon 463 and tho average attendance 434; in the secondary department the average roll was 42 and tho average attendance 41; aver- , ago for the whole school 475, Tho at- j tendance shield was won once each by ! Standard ll.'with 98 per cent., Standard VI. with 99 per cent., Standard V. with 96 per cent., and Standard I. with 941 per cent. At the present time the at ten- | dance is considerably affected by sickness. < A beginning was made last week with the providing of tea at lunch time, and so far seventy-four are taking advantage , of it. In connection with the teaching of ! local history, it was decided to procure a' set of photographs of early Port dial-: raers, and have them framed, so that the children could be instructed accordingly. The committee considered it a step' in the right direction that tho children should be taught local history. _ The visiting committee reported having visited tho school and finding that some of the fences wore in a very bad state, but that the condition of tho school reflected great credit on the janitor. Mr J. M'Lachhm and .Mr R. I), jack were appointed a visit- ( ing committee for the month. [ The usual monthly meeting oi the Moray | Place School Committee was held on Mon- j day evening; present —Mr Malcolm Stc-j venson (in the chair). Messrs R. llughsoii, : A. Miller, F. J. (TNcill, E. J. Thomson, i H. E. Payton, J. Kroon, and B. J. M,‘Ar- i thur. An instruction was received from tho secretary of the Education Board fori the head master to arrange for the saint- j ing of the Flag and the singing of the National Anthem once a week by the pupils | of the school. Tho chairman stated that j this had already been in force for about j two weeks. A letter was received from | j Mr A. A. Paape in connection with his i | donation of two medals for the champion j | boy and girl swimmer of tho school, in 1 I which ho stated that conditions for com- i petition were being drawn up by the Dun- | edin Amateur Swimming Club. It was . j decided to forward a letter of appreciation | to Mr W. Duff for the interest he, had j taken in the coaching and training of the j I boys’ football team. The head master re- | ported that the attendance for- the last I j month had been good, and that there, was j | now a total of 503 pupils (151 girls and 152 : j boys) attending the school. lie also ! ! stated that the work in the school garden i t had been suspended for the winter, owing : to the sodden nature of the ground, and ■ ‘ asked the committee to consider whether I { it was advisable to carry on the gardening ’ | nest year, or carry on a class for wood- 1 | work and carpentering. A committee con- j I sisting of Messrs A. Miller, E. J. Thomson, I I B. J. M‘Arthur, and the chairman was | i appointed to go into this matter fully and j j report at a subsequent meeting. The | | Visiting Committee reported that they: I found everything in and around the school I in splendid order, the class rooms well I heated, and the general appearance of the j children and their work quite up to the i standard of anv other school. Mr Park, j j secretary of the Education Board, inti- t mated that the, inspection of tho school I would take place on or about the 50th f inst. Messrs J. F. O’Neill and B. f J. M‘Arthur were, appointed the Visiting f Committee for the ensuing month. ’ I