GREY MAIN SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1931, Page 2

GREY MAIN SCHOOL

COMMITEEE MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Grey Main School Committee held at the school last evening, there were present, Messrs R. A. Barrowman (chairman), R. J. Williams, J. Tennent, G. Herring, AV. Scott, H. Herring, A. JFairmaid, and the secretary, Mr J. G. McDonald. T . . The headmaster, Mr E. S. Lorking, presented the following report on the month’s work. The roll numbers were 296 boys and 299 girls, and the average attendances were 276.4 boys and 275.2 girls. At Blaketown the roll numbers were 52 boys and 40 girls, while the average attendances were 49.4 boys and 38.3 girls. The average attendances at Blaketown are wonderfully high. A chicken-pox epidemic has swept through the Main School recently and has seriously affected the attendances. I have to report with great regret that Miss Bignell has left t,he staff. Miss Bignell’s work was of a very high standard, and it will be difficult to replace her. The recent term’s examination reveals a sound rate of progress at both schools. One of the gymnasium windows at Blaketown has been broken. Mr J. Hutton, principal of the Grey Technical College, wrote, stating that according to the report of the recent meeting, the chairman had stated that the change-over of pupils from the Main School to the Technical School would involve the parents of the pupils in extra expense. He would like to know whether the statement had been made on mere assumption, and, if so, on what grounds the assumption was based. The assumption that extra money would be required for books was incorrect. It was not intended that the wearing of school uniforms should be made compulsory, and the fees mentioned were those levied in manual instruction for the price of material.

The Secretary stated that a letter had been sent to Mr Hutton, stating that the Committee’s assumptions had been based on a letter received from the Department of Education, which had stated, in view of the fact that secondary subjects would be given the pupils, some new text books might be required, and that the cost of school uniforms should be placed against that of buying new clothing in any case. Mr Hutton replied, stating that the Department’s letter certainly gave some warrant for the statements, but that while secondary subjects would be taught new tejct-bpoks would not be levied in the first year. There was no room for antagonism between the schools when the interest of the pupils was at stake, but there could be a difference of opinion provided all the available data was considered in a judicial spirit. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., wrote stating that he would bring the Committee’s protest before the Minister’ of Education, but he was of opinion that few of the proposed educational changes would be put into practice as the financial stringency would mean a very big cut in education allowances.

> TRANSFER OF SCHOLARS. i The Department of Education wrote in answer to the Committee’s protest against the change-over, stating (1) that while the pupils would be undpr new teachers there would only be a slight change in the syllabus, the pupils taking either Geometry and Algebra or French and Latin. (2) That but few new books would be required, while if the pupils had already been doing secondary work, none would be needed. (3) That the cost of new uniforms should be balanced against that of purchasing new clothes in any case. (4) That as the capitation allowance was already reduced the loss to the school would not be so great. The letter went on to say that the Department regretted that the I Committee did not favour the changeover, as it would enable the children to begin and continue their secondary schooling at the Technical High School without a break. Mr Fairmaid stated that he believed that Mr Hutton did not think the change would eventuate in view of the present economic conditions. The two teachers appointed to the position at the Technical School had taken other appointments. An advertisement had been inserted for two more teachers, but it stated that it was not definite whether the’ position would be available, or if it was available there wqs no definite date for taking it up. Mr Scott said that it seemed from Mr Hutton’s report that he had had inside information on the matter un known to the School Committee. Mr Fairmaid explained that in his professional capacity, Mr Hutton had had ample time to peruse educational reports, etc., and his report was based on these. '

Mr Barrowman said that it was with regret that he had to announce the resignation of Miss M. Bignell. She was a fine teacher and had done great work for the school during the period with which she had been associated with it. He moved that a letter of appreciation for her services be sent to Miss Bignell.—Carried. The Department of Health wrote, stating that among other economy measures inaugurated by the Government was one reducing the number of nurses entering dental clinic training by one-half, and also making the local school committees in districts where clinics were established reponsible for a share of the cost. The Government, as the Committee was aware, paid the salaries of the dental surgeons and supplied the material, and it was now proposed that each school committee should pay £3O annually for every official engaged at its clinic. That amount would be barely sufficient to cover the cost of the drugs and material used. The letter concluded by hoping that the Committee would show willingness to fall in with the scheme. The Government were going to grant authority to the committees to charge the parents for the children’s treatment. Mr Barrowman said that he was of opinion that the matter should be held over until a definite scale of charges was received.

Mr Scott said that if a second nurse such as liad been asked for was supplied, the Committee would have to pay £ 60. Mr H. Herring said that the nurse was not really needed, and she was really being supplied to attends to the children from Cobden and othex- outlying schools. ~ Scott said that, in that case, those schools should make up the additional £3O. Mr Williams said that the local bodms, such as the Hospital Board, should be approached for donations

such as were given to the Plunket Society. Dental clinics assisted in the building of a healthy nation. Mr Barrowman said that the other schools should certainly contribute their £3O. It would be difficult enough for the ommittee to find even £3O. o on 4. Mr Scott: With an extra £3O to pay, and the Sixth Standard gone and the capitation reduced, then the Committee would be in a bad way financially. Mr McDonald: We should try the Lang plan. (Laughter). Mr G. Herring said that with an additional £3O to find the Committee would be practically defunct as far as funds were concerned. Mr Williams said that if the children were charged 2/6 for each treatment. Cobden residents had at present to take their children to the ordinary dentist and pay a charge of 10/-. Mr G. Herring said that the children should be charged 2/6 or 3/- for the first time they attended, and that would pay for their treatment throughout their school life. Mr Barrowman said that discussion on the matter should be held over until the Department advised of the scale of charges.

Mr H. Herring agreed that the matter should be held over, but the previous discussion would at least inform the parents that they might at some future date have to pay for the dental clinics.

The Canterbury Education Board wrote confirming the appointment of Miss B. McSherry to the teaching staff. Mr Scott asked whether Miss McSherry had not been appointed before Miss Bignell’s resignation. Another teacher was yet required. z Mr Herring: No chance of getting one. Mfr Scott moved that the Education Board be written to asking that another teacher be appointed.—Carried. Mr Williams: Ask and you shall receive. Mr H. Herring: Yes, something if it is only a negative answer. Mr Barrowman moved that as the Committee had obtained a new secretary, the Department of Education be written to, asking that urgent attention Pe given to providing the Committee’s subsidy.—Carried. Mr Scott: Keep at them all the time and we are sure to get something. Mr drew attention to the bad state of the paling fence outside -the school.—lt was decided to write to the Department asking that money be provided for repair and renewal of parts. Messrs Williams and Fairmaid were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. It was decided to- interview the Watkins Memorial Medal Committee regarding the advisability of awarding the medals earlier in the year than previously.