MUSSELBURGH SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 18628, 8 May 1924, Page 5

MUSSELBURGH SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Mussel* burgh School Committee was held last Tuesday evening, Mr D. C. Cameron, jun., presiding. The Chairman submitted the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr E. R. Penrose, and carried unanimously “ That this meeting places on record it® high appreciation of the services rendered to the school by the ex-chairman (Mr W. Jacobsen) during the past six years, and offer him hearty congratulae tions on the success attending tho school during his term of chairmanship. Inward correspondence was read from the N.Z. Educational Institute asking for the support of school committees in substituting the average roll of the school for the average attendance as the basis of calculations relating to the of the school, to the payment of capitation to committees, and supply of school material. Clause 1 of the leaflet supplied reads: “It is the roll number, not tho average attendance, that shows the real size of the school and tho number of pupils that have to be provided for | hence it follows that on the .present basis neither staffing nor other arrangements are made for the whole of the school. In country districts, especially those districts which are much exposed to bad weather and where roads aro bad, this becomes a very important matter.”—This was approved, members of Parliament to bo communicated with.

The Education Board wrote stating that it could not see its way to grant a request for an increase in the grant for incidentals to cover additional expense incurred in connection with the new classroom.

Miss J. Farquharson wrote resigning her position as assistant teacher from May 31.—The resignation was received with regret, and the clerk instructed to write wishing Miss Farquharson success in her new appointment in Wellington. The election of sub-committees resulted; Works Committee —Messrs W. Jacobsen (chairman), E. R. Penrose, D. Cameron; Finance, Air H. H. Johnson; Band—Messrs D. Kayo (chairman), C. Sims, A. Wilson; auditors and trustees pennv savings bank, Messrs D. llighet and R. Moffat; delegates to School Committees’ Association—Messrs W. Jacobsen, A. Wilson, D. Cameron. A sub-committee set. up to go into the question of the supply of coal for the ensuing year reported that the terms of Messrs Tyson and Son were as reasonable as could be obtained, and recommended their acceptance, Wairaki and Alount Linton coal to be used.—Terms agreed to. A visit was paid by the committee to the band room for the purpose of welcoming the new' band instructor, Air Franklin. PRESENTATION. The members of the committee, with their wives, and members and ex-mem-bers of the staff met in the teachers’ room after the committee meeting for the purpose of making a presentation to Aliss C. Graham and Aliss J. Farquharson, assistant" teachers, who are leaving Musselburgh. Aliss Graham has been appointed infant mistress at Anderson Bay, and Aliss Farquharson goes to Wellington as sole teacher in a country school. Air Cameron (chairman of tlie_ school committee), in a happy and reminiscent! speech, referred to tiro long penuu of nine years spent at Musselburgh by Miss Graham. He was a member of the committee when Aliss Graham was appointed (coming from Milton), being chosen from a number of applicants on account of her very high credentials. The reports received from time to time from the insp«> tors had fully justified the appointment. Miss Graham had maintained her position at Alusselburgh with the happiest relations with the committee and staff, who, while regretting her departure, most heartily joined in wishing her every success in her new sphere of duty. On behalf of the committee and staff, he presented Aliss Graham with a travelling^bag. Mr Jacobsen (ex-chairman), in making a similar presentation to Aliss Farquharson, said he was chairman of committee when Aliss Farquharson was appointed, being the only applicant sent on by the board. He was not in favor of that. Committees should have a- choice. However, the board’s choice had turned out to be <v happy and fortunate one for Alusselburgh. Miss* Farquharson was considered one of the best, teachers the school had had, her counsel and advice being much appreciated bv the younger members of the staff. The head master (Mr J. B. Grant), Air A. J. Woods (ex-teacher), and several members of the staff also spoke. Supper was provided by the ladies of the staff, and the following contributed items Misses Wilkie and Pierce, Alessrs Jacobsen and Ritchie.