REEFTON SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1928, Page 3

REEFTON SCHOOL

ANNUAL REPORTS AND MEETING. (Our Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, May 1. Despite severe weather conditions some fifty-one householders braved tile elements to attend the annual meeting of householders for the annual election of the new committee. Mr W. B. Auld was voted to the chair and thanked those present for their attendance. .

In presenting their Annual Report, the Committee desires first to express their sincere sorrow and regret at the loss sustained by the school and district generally, through the death of 'Mr. R. Wills, who for many years had been a member of this Committee, and by a long term of service had rendered valuable assistance in all matters connected with the improvement of the school and its surroundings. In placing on record this appreciation of his services, your Committee feels that it will be a difficult matter to fill his place in the ranks of the school workers in this district. During the year 16 meetings of the Committee have been held, the attendance at which was as follows: —Patterson 15, Baird 14, Cleaver 14, Mori 14, Auld 13, Panckhurst 13, Robinson 12, Wills 11, Absalom 9. The Rev. Mr. Robinson, who for the past two years has been an active member of the Committee will not be a candidate for re-elec-tion, having been transferred to another district. Mr. Absalom after three years’ service is also not seeking reelection.

Buildings and Grounds —The school buildings have as usual taken a considerable amount of attention to keep them in a proper state of ’repair, and although they are now in fairly good order the cost of upkeep will continue to be a severe tax on the Committees’ finances. The completion of the new Science Room has provided a much needed addition to the school accommodation, and by being used as a class room relieves the congestion which for a long time seriously hampered the school work in the main building. A grant of £5O has been obtaine from the Board, and has been expended in completing the levelling of the ‘playground so that the grounds are now in good order, and a small outlay should provide for their future maintenance. A giant strike, sand pit, swinging boats and other appliances for the amusement and recreation of the srpaller children has been provided, mainly through the efforts of Miss Garth and Miss Moore, whose kindly and thoughtful work in this matter is greatly appreciated by all connected with the school. Dental Clinic —In accordince with the recommendation of last year’s meeting of householders your Com.rnittee concentrated their efforts on the wort of providing a Dental Clinic for the schools in this district, and have after a considerable amount of hard and persistent work succeeded in their endeavours and the establishment of the Dental Clinic is now an accomplished fact. The building is now in course of construction, and a Dental Nurse had been appointed to take up her duties during the coming month. In connection with this matter the thanks of the Committee and community generally are due to Mr. Hudson M.P. through whose persistent 'and untiring efforts the services of a Dental Nurse was obtained this year. The assistance and co-operation of the Committees in the surrounding schools which has been so freely given is also 'gratefully acknowledged by this Committee, who feel assured, from the interest taken in the matter by those outside Committees that the task of financing the upkeep of the Dental Clinic will cause no further anxiety. School Staff —Several changes have been made in the school staff during this last year, Miss Hopkirk who for a period of eleven years had charge of the Secondary Department in the school resigned in order to take up a position in the North Island. Her departure was deeply regretted as it was recognised that the care and attention she had given to her work and the keen interest taken in the welfare of her pupils was an important factor in building up and increasing the popularity of our secondary school. The school sustained a severe loss by the resignation of Miss Garth and Miss Moore who after a long period of faithful and efficient service retired on superannuation. The excellence of the work done by these two teachers and the kindly interest taken by them in the welfare placed under their charge earned the affection of their pupils and the regard and esteem of everyone connected with the school life of the district. In spite of the number of changes in the teaching staff excellent work has been done in the school, the usual number of pupils entered for the annual examination and a good proportion of success rewarded their efforts. On the whole a high standard of efficiency has been maintained and the headmaster and his staff are to be congratulated on tlje able and efficient manner in which they have carried out their duties. An extra, assistant has been appointed in the secondary department and attention is being given to the teaching of commercial subjects. In this connection the want of typewriters is severely felt and it will be the duty of the incoming committee to give this matter their earnest attention.

School Excursion —The annual school excursion was carried out in a satisfactory manner, an excellent train service was supplied by the Railway Department and an enjoyable day was spent at Hokitika, the school committee there and the residents generally assisted in making the outing a success.

Your Committee desires to sincerely thank Mr. Cereseto for assisting the Committee by providing picture benefits for the various school funds, to the Press for their assistance in giving publicity to all matters connected with the welfare of the school, to the school staff for the careful attention they have given to their duties, and also to the public generally for the support and co-operation at all times so generously given.

HEADMASTER’S REPORT The year just passed has been an eventful one as far as the changes in the staff are concerned, there being now only three teachers on a staff of eleven who were with them last year. Miss S. M. Hopkirk B.A. for twelve years senior secondary assistant resigned upon beinj-j appointed to a similar position in the North Island, and her place was filled by Mr. St. John B.A. who took up his duties on September 12. Mr. C. C. Werry resigned on promotion to the staff of the Wyndham D.H.S. his place being filled by Mr. T. C. Hepburn. Miss

Garth, Infant Mistress, retired on superannuation, Miss M. Brown filling her place. Miss E. Moore also resigned on superannuation, her place being filled by Miss E. Williams. The increased roll number warranted a third secondary assistant, and Mr. E. Hayes was appointed. Mr. Crossman and Miss A. Henry having left for the training college, their places were filled by Miss B. Marr and Miss M. Allen, while Mr. Liddicoat took Miss E. Bruce’s place. In addition to these Miss E. Stallard, Mr. Furse, Miss C. Barnes, M.A, and Mrs. Discaciati were temporary assistants. Early in the year the staff was seriously inconvenienced for the want of a class room, Imt the building of the Science room eased the pressure and the school accommodation is now very comfortable. The primary roll for March 31st 1927 was —Boys 121, girls 100, total 221. March 31, 1928: —Boys 100, girls 97, total 197. The roll to-day shows some improvement there being:—Boys [-110, girls 97, total 207. Secondary Department, 1927, Boys 49, girls 24, total 73. 1928 —Boys 47, girls 23, total 70. The school results for the year were: Proficiency 25, Competency 4; Junior Free Place 2, Senior Free Place 15, Senior National Scholarship 1, Accountants’ Preliminary 1, Partial Accountants’ Preliminary 1, Partial D, 1.

In conclusion on behalf of the staff of the R.D.H.S. I wish to thank your ■committee for its courtesy and honest endeavour to promote the welfare of the school.

The reports of the Committee and Headmaster were read and confirmed. The balance sheet submitted showed a credit balance of £7/10/4. Mr Baird asked if there were any unsuccessful candidates for the Public Service.

Mr Werry, Headmaster, was not aware of any. Mr Baird asked about Rollerson and Davis. Mr Werry said these pupils had secured a partial pass. He was sorry he. had omitted them. Mr Werry speaking to the report noted that Mr C. C. Werry’s name had not been mentioned. Mr Mori, secretary, stated that if any had been omitted the fault was his. He had only inserted the old teachers. Mr I. Patterson noted . that the school had not received any National Scholarships last year.

The Headmaster stated that every school had its lean years. They could not have brilliant scholars all the time. He noted that schools of over 700 scholars had not obtained any. Mr I. Patterson said he refused to believe that there were no scholars of brilliant calibre enough to secure scholarships. Mr Dellaca enquired if only a percentage of scholars were allowed to sit for scholarships.

The Headmaster stated that the staff were requested not to allow more than ten per cent to sit for scholarships. If they allowed the whole of the class to sit, the Rector would get a severe reprimand from the Department on account of the expense. Mr I. Patterson moved that the reports and balance sheet be adopted. In doing so he congratulated the committee upon the good -work done during the year. He was pleased to see that the Dental Clinic was an accomplished fact. He asked what the prospect for the incoming year was.

The Headmaster pointed out that when the sixth standard was the largest class in the school it -was difficult to keep the school up to the present standard. A large percentage of this class left at the end of the year, and in consequence the grade of the school was affected. Th answer to Mr J. B. Auld, he stated that it needed an average attendance of 201 pupils to maintain the present staff. Mr J. B. Auld considered that the school had done well considering the many changes in the staff during the year. He seconded the motion. Mr .W. B. Auld stated that the committee had arranged a temporary room for a Dental Clinic and they were ready as soon as a lady dentist was available. He also referred to the necessity for more typewriters. They had three, but he understood two were out of order.

The Chairman apologised for the absence of Mr D. Panckhurst, who was in Grey mouth. Mr I. Patterson said there was some difficulty in obtaining information regarding scholarships available and the conditions under which they could be won and held. He moved that a list be prepared and posted up in the school. He referred to the Tinline Scholarship which had not been won by a pupil of Reefton school for some time.

The Headmaster stated that every year they had candidates for the Tinline Scholarship, but they had not been successful in securing one. The Tinline Scholarship was awarded to the scholar who obtained the highest marks in the Junior Scholarships. Mr I. Patterson referred to the necessity of Latin being taught in the school. Any person seeking a position in the professions could not obtain same without high marks in Latin. He moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to include Latin as a compulsory subject in the school course. He also considered geography did not receive due prominence in the present system of education. Mr W. B. Auld seconded the motion, but was not too sure as to how far the Committee could function in that direction. The Chairman then read the section of the Act referring to the election of a Committee and referred to the fact that the secretary’s position was purely honorary. The secretary received no payment for his services. Messrs H. Cooper and Robert McIntosh being appointed scrutineers, a ballot was taken which resulted as follows:—Auld, W. B„ 49; Baird, J. J., 40; Cleaver, C. H., 51; Duff, W. J. 50; Lawn, N. 45; Mori, C.P. 47; Newton, W. E. 48; Panckhurst, D. 45; Patterson, J. 45; Wills, A. 22. The first nine were elected.

At a subsequent meeting of the new Committee, Mr W. B. Auld was appointed Chairman and Mr C. P. Mori secretary. Mr W. B. Auld was appointed Treasurer and the Treasurer and Secretary were authorised to sign cheques. The matter of arranging for fuel was left in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary.

Messrs Auld and Baird were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month.