TE ARAROA D.H.S. ADVISORY COMMITTEE: NEW BUILDINGS NEEDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22888, 7 March 1949, Page 4

TE ARAROA D.H.S. ADVISORY COMMITTEE: NEW BUILDINGS NEEDED

(Herald Correspondent.) Following a rota designed to give parents of scholars from outlying contributing schools opportunity to attend and take part in discussions, the annual meeting of the Te Araroa Maori District High School Advisory Committee was held at the Hicks Bay School. Mr. H. W. Henare presided, and there was a very satisfactory attendance of delegates from contributing school districts and of Hicks Bay parents. Also in attendance were Mr. F. T. Woodley, 8.A., inspector of Maori schools, and Mr. A. A. Kirk, 8.A., inspector of secondary schoolsThe chairman reviewed the scholastic successes of ex-pupils who had proceeded on continuation scholarships from the school.

Headmaster’s Report

In his annual report, the headmaster, Mr. W. L. S. Britton, M.A., reviewed the functions of the school in regard to apprenticeship qualifications and preparation for school certificate. He outlined home facilities expected, from parents in connection with homework and regular attendance-

A cordial invitation was extended to parents to visit the school. The headmaster also advised parents how they might make the best possible use of the services of vocational guidance officers. He explained the objectives of the annual school dinner and the aims of the school magazine as a link between home and school.

The school roll was reported to 64 secondary pupils. School Buildings

The headmaster reviewed the efforts made by the advisory committee to secure up-to-date accommodation for high school classes and pointed out that to date the only material advance had been the acquisition of additional land for the necessary new buildings. A letter was received from Tikitiki Maori District High School Advisory Committee to the Education Department setting out the urgent need for new school buildings in this area and the chairman was authorised to endorse the communication on behalf of the local high school. The desirability of having continuation scholarships made tenable at European high schools was fully discussed. Mr. Woodley said they had originally been tenable only at certain church schools and that the departure from this policy had been a wartime measure only. Any permanent change over to European schools would call for new legislation. Following upon discussion comparing city and country secondary schools, Mr. Kirk explained the Education Department’s efforts to make district high schools as efficient as city high schools.

The committee passed a motion urging upon the Education Department the desirability of making a more generous allocation of continuation scholarships, preferably tenable at European boarding schools. Delegates resolved that contributing schools should pay the usual levies to the advisory committee to cover items of expense directly benefiting high school scholars but not provided for by the Education Department. Mr. 11. W. Henare, upon being elect-

ed chairman, thanked delegates for their assistance during the past year. Afternoon tea was dispensed by Hicks Bay ladies after the meeting closed.