PORTOBELLO SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 10

PORTOBELLO SCHOOL.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir.—ln reply to the letter appearing in Saturday’s issue over the signature of Mr C. W. Sinclair (chairman of above school), and without entering into a Press controversy, I desire to make known publicly ! the position of the School Committees’ Association and its attitude to the question. The matter was introduced to the quarterly meeting of the association in constitutional form by a .letter from Mr D. Ward, secretary, asking for. guidance on the peculiar position •arising with reference to the award of the dux medal. Mr Armstrong, of the Portobello School, spoke in support, stating_ that they were unaware that the association meeting would eventuate so soon until the quarterly notice was received by the secretary, and had already approached individual committees for their opinion. Evidently the Portobello Committee is divided on the question, and we think that the,section opposed to the views of the chairman made application to the association for its opinion without his knowledge. AVhether that may be the case or not, I think, in view of this explanation, the attitude of the association should be made clear and justified. ' It is neither our desire nor, that of any of the delegates to trespass on the domestic preserves of any committee affiliated, or “ publicly prejudice issues still under consideration ” by them. ■ Had overtures, not been made to us the matter would not have been discussed, and in all fairness to_ the_ association .we think Mr Sinclair might have made inquiries as to our appearance in the controversy before rushing into print and denouncing our action so scathingly. Wo protest strongly, individually arid collectively, against the charge made of undue interference in the affairs of any committee affiliated ; our desire is to help, not hinder.—l am, etc., R. S. Veiicoe. (Hon. Secretary Otago School Committees’ Association.) December 12.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Mr C. W. Sinclair, chairman of the Portobello School Committee, in Jiis p letter in Saturday’s ‘ Star,’ com-

merits on the action _of the School Committees’ Association in giving a ruling on the question whether a sec-ond-year pupil is eligible for the dux medal. Mr Sinclair is either not in touch with his committee or fancies he is the committee, as the association received a remit from the Portobello Committee, and its delegate spoke to the motion. It was_ with some diffidence that the association approached the subject, and only the fact that a country committee asked for a decision decided the association, after, a very wide discussion, to give it. As mover of the motion, ,1 resent the insinuation that I was influenced by anyone, and probably my. experience of school' committees and their difficulties extends over ,as long and _ varied a period as does that of Mr Sinclair. —I am, etc., Norman \V. Mac Lean, Deputy Chairman, Anderson’s Bay School Committee. / December 12. . SO TIL* KDITO*. Sir,—-At the meeting of the School Committee last Tuesday night it was reported by the head master that the pupil who was leading for the dux medal was a second-year one, who had already passed the sixth standard with competency. He suggested that the committee should fully discuss this, as the pupil in question was the chairman’s son. The chairman retired whilst the discussion took place. A motion was carried that only a firstyear pupil be awarded the dux medal. This motion was subsequently withdrawn in favour of writing to six of the school committees in Dunedin for their opinion before coming to a decision. This was on the understanding that we would be unable, in the short space of time, to obtain the opinion of the School Committees’ Association, as the meetings were only quarterly. You will note that the chairman was not present during the discussion, and therefore did not know what transpired. On returning to the meeting the secretary read to him the motion. The only remark he made was that he thought the head master should decide. On learning that the School Committees’ Association meeting was on Thursday the Bth inst., I as delegate attended and placed the matter before it. At the next meeting of the School Committee, irrespective of the chairman’s opposition, a motion was ciirried that only a first-year pupil be eligible for dux medal.—l am, etc., T.A.A. ■ December 12. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I think the chairman of the Portobello School Committee has overstepped the mark in writing to you in the strain he has. I believe that this was not the concurrence of other members of the committee. Evidently the opinion of the School Committees’ Association regarding the dux medal, which to my mind is a just and proper one, does not suit him. It is to be hoped that the Portobello School Committee will follow the opinions of both the .Plead Masters’ Association and the School Committees’ Association. Surely it is permissible for delegates to attend these meetings without the consent of the chairman.—l am, etc.. Parent. December 12.