GREY MAIN SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1942, Page 2

GREY MAIN SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Greyniouth Mam School Committee was held last evening, there being present: Messrs A. F. Hill (chairman), J. F. Laing (secretary), P. C. Thomson, A. F. Jamieson, E. Parfitt, W.. Green, W. D. .Taylor, T. Blackie, and the Headmaster (Mr J. Graham). „,„,n/n Accounts amounting to £l7/9/2 were passed for payment. _ , The. Greymouth, School Children s Protection Committee wrote, stating that at a meeting of parents it had been, decided to, stress the urgency of providing air raid shelter for all the children and staff of the school at the school.—lt . was decided to forward the resolution to the Canterbury Education Board. . , , . The Board wrote, giving a list of repairs and improvements which the Board’s West Coast foreman has been authorised, to put in hand at the school. x The Board wrote, stating that it was not prepared, and was not in a position, to provide air raid shelter at schools such as the Greymouth Main School for children who could reach their homes within a reasonable time after the sounding of the alarm. The Visiting Committee (Messrs Hill, Parfitt and Blackie) in the course of a report on their visit to the school, stated that the new class room was nearing completion, and that they had been advised that applications had been called for the position of assistant master for the new department. It was stated further that a concrete wall had been erected at the site of the coke dump, making a decided improvement, and that a similar wall was to be built at the site oi the wood dump. The asphalt on the basketball courts needed repairs urgently, and it was recommended that the garden plot alongside the dantal clinic be dispensed with, and the strip asphalted. Disappointment was expressed with the slow progress being made with the excavation and drainage work preparatory to the building of the shelters. It was also stated that it was understood that the Borough Council had some suggested plans for constructing public conveniences in or near the only area in the school grounds suitable for .gardening purposes, and that the agricultural instructor for the Board had suggested that a strong protest should be made if the Council intended lessening the area available for the garden. After some discussion on the question of the shelters, it was resolved that the Borough Engineer, who is the supervisor for the shelters, be asked to endeavour to have the work expedited, and also that his attention be drawn to the necessity for the reconstruction of the rock drain running from the grounds, and crossing the site of the proposed shelters. In connection with the repairs to the basketball courts the visiting committee was instructed to prepare a report for the next meeting embodying an estimate of the cost of the repairs, and the liability of the Committee in the matter. An offer from Mr W. H. Boucher of the use of a section near the school for the digging of shelter trenches for the school children was accepted with thanks. The Headmaster .presented the following report:—Roll number 278 boys, 242 girls, total 520. Average attendance: 251 boys, 215 girls—466. I regret having to state that Miss E. O’Grady relinquishes her duties on the staff on August 21, after five years’ service. Miss N. Jarvis has received notice that her agreement with the Canterbury Education Board terminates on November 30. Last week,, football and basketball teams from Reefton visited Greymouth, and many interesting games resulted. The visitors were entertained by the Main School, staff .and children. It is proposed to. hold a weekly drill refresher at the Main School early in the next term. —The report was approved.

It was decided to make representations to the Board in an endeavour to retain the services of Miss Jarvis, and to ask Mr Turley to take the matter up at the next meeting of the Board.

After the reception of the Inspectors’ reports, which were confidential, members spoke in appreciation of the work of the Headmaster and staff. Mr Laing said that such fine reports from the Inspectors showed the excellence of the work of the Headmaster and the staff for the welfare of the children and the school.

The Chairman said it was very gratifying to see such a glowing report on the scohol. He thought that the Committee, on behalf of the parents, could thank the Headmaster for the way in which he and his stan were carrying on with the work of the school. It was decided to write to Miss O’Grady thanking her for the excellent service she has given the school for the past five years.