TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1942, Page 1

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF GOVERNORS The Grevmouth Technical High School- Board of Governors met on Monday evening. There were present- Mr T. E. Coates (chairman), Mrs G. Blair, Messrs J. B. Kent, D. S. Kennedy, W. D. Taylor, A. A. Adams. P. J. McLean, W. H. Parfitt, E. O. Henry and the Principal (Mr W. M. Stewart.). The report of the Principal was as follows: School roll and average attendance. —As is inevitable m the f resent labour conditions, withdrawals continue- to bo_ made or pupils to fill the places m commerce and industry of men on military duty. Since my last report, one boy has been admitted, and six boys and g-rls withdrawn, leaving the school roll at 287—153 boys and 134 girls. The average attendance', alter showing a very great improvement, and reaching 93.9 per cent, for one week, has suffered again as a result of the recrudescence of seasonal influenza and , has averaged 88 per cent, for the four weeks under review. Staff.—The staff, except for two individual days’ absence due to sickness, has been on full duty during the period. It is with pleasure that I report that Mr Excell’s health has improved very much, and ne is looking forward keenly to resuming full dutv at the beginning of September. School routine. —The mid-year examinations were held during the lasi week of July. The second term ends on Friday, August. 21 and school resumes for the third term on Tuesday, September 15. Manual Training.—Occasional difficulties crop up from time to time, chiefly in connection with transport due to present conditions; these however. thanks mainly to the care and co-operation of the manual training teachers, are met as they arise as well as circumstances permit, and this section of the school work continues to function smoothly and efficiently. Evening School. —Most of the classes continue to show satisfactory attendance, and a few of them are really good in this respect. Several classes, nowevc-r, are still giving some concern; on examination I find that in a number of instances, especially where girl students are concerned, the main difficulty is the prevailing black-out conditions, and this of course is hardly in our power to amend. Possibly, as the lighter evenings draw on, there will be considerable .improvement. In the meantime, as a result, of action in the direction of personal communication with parents, the position has already shown definite improvement. Sp’orts and School Activities.—Enjoyable return matches in Rugby and basketball have been played by our first and third fifteens and first and second girls' teams with the top teams of Hokitika D.H.S., while our second fifteen and B. basketball team had close, successful and enjoyable games at Reefton against the D.H.S. and Convent. .At the time of writing this report our first teams in Rugbv and basketball are in Christchurch to play the annual fixture against. Papanui Technical High School. I have to express the thanxs of the school for the hospitality extended to our teams, which 'alone makes possible these very valuable outside contacts. Three teams in Rugby and two in basketball are engaged in regular Saturday competition, while a fourth Rugby team has had several matches against primary school teams, and five girls’ teams play in mid-week competitions. Of all ’these teams, I note with pleasure the fine performance of our A team in basketball which has played consistently well in the senior grade, and has ver.)- good chances of filling the top position. Since my last reoort £5 lias been received in school subscriptons, making a progress total of £96 Is. Other receipts have been £9 5s in rail fares. Payments have amou’Red to .123 Is 3d, these being for various outlay in Rugby and basketball. Accounts outstanding amount approximately to £l2 5-s, the chief item being for purchase of books for the school library. The balance in hand at the present, time is £133 0s 9d, The Department wrote asking for information concerning appeals for teachers. The Principal reported that he had supplied the necessary information.

The Department wrote urging the need for conserving petrol and rubber supplies. The Principal said that the matter did not concern the school as all travelling connected with it was done by train or public bus.

Mrs F. W. Shallcrass wrote on behalf of the Greymouth Women’s Patriotic Committee, thanking the school for its effort in collecting tins for patriotic purposes. The Principal said that 1900 tins had been collected.

Mrs Blair and Mr Adams reported on behalf of the Visiting Committee. Mrs Blair and Mr McLean were appointed the Visiting Committee for this month.

Accounts totalling £246 3s lid were passed for payment. The School Account showed a credit balance of £669 5s Bd.