GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1942, Page 2

GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD’S MONTHLY MEETING

The Board of the Greymouth Technical High School held its monthly meeting on Monday. Mr. T. E. Coates presided, also present being Mrs. G. Blair and Messrs J. B. Kent, C. F. Shapcott, P. J. McLean, F. H. Denton, W. H. Parfitt, T. Pratt, A. A. Adams, E. O. Henry. The Principal (Mr. Stewart) in his report, stated that the roll stood at 278 (150 boys and 128 girls), the average attendance being 89.9 per cent. “On October 13 and 14 the school was visited by the Departmental Inspectors of Technical Schools. As a result of improved weather and the care of the groundsman, the grounds and gardens are once more assuming their usual attractive appearance. There seems a fair prospect of the playing-fields being maintained in good condition for the Summer. Cricket and tennis are in course of organisation and it is proposed to continue the classes in life-saving. School subscriptions Jiave been received to the amount of £lB/14/2, making a progress total of £ll5/18/-. Payments have amounted to £ 14/17/8, the chief item being £ll/19/2 for books for the school library. The balance in hand is £132/12/8, with no accounts outstanding.”—The report was adopted. The Board passed a motion of sympathy with the” relations of the late Mr. J. Goodall, M.L.C. The Education Department advised that Appeal Boards had been recommended to grant adjournments in respect of candidates for the University Entrance examination.—Mr. Stewart said that no boys would be involved.

The Board inquired if the school would place its workshops at the disposal of the education scheme for the armed forces during term holidays. It would be desirable for the Board’s own instructors to act as tutors, being paid accordingly.—Mr. Slewart said the two instructors concerned were more than willing to co-operale and lie himself was agreeable. The Board decided to offer its co-operation. To increase the supply of teachers in domestic science, the Departement advised that a three-year course for a homecraft teachers’ certificate was being instituted in Dunedin. The Christchurch Technical College wrote offering suggestions regarding education for the younger members of the armed forces among these being that after the war men with little or no employment experience should be kept in camp while undergoing educational courses and that after the war the school leaving age be raised to 15. Mr. Pratt supported the former suggestion, but Mr. Adams considered the latter was open to argument; there might be cases where children who showed no aptitude at school would be better in employment. It was decided to study the proposals more fully before the next meeting. The Greymouth Women’s Patriotic Committee expressed thanks for the children’s contributions towards the soldiers’ Christmas parcels fund. Mr. Henry reported on the visit of the Hostel Committee, saying he thought Mrs. Stewart would make a , first-class matron. Mr. McLean said that it had not been possible for Mr. W. D. Taylor and himself to attend the school as Visiting Committee, and they were reappointed. Mr. Adams suggested that the caretaker be authorised to obtain help for a few weeks. —This was decided upon. Mr. Coates inquired if it was proposed to hold the usual fete; probably £lOO could be raised for the hostel, he thought. Mr. Stewart said he had not contemplated holding the function, believing the public were being sufficiently “knocked” for patriotic purposes. , . Mrs. Blair was deputed to ascertain the opinion of the women folk concerning the matter. Accounts totalling £l7O/19/7 (hostel £99/6/11 were passed for payment. The debit balance in the school account is £l7B/12/6.