RUNANGA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1945, Page 6

RUNANGA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] Mr R Armstrong presided at the usual meeting of the School Commit - tee also present being Mesdames W. Wright R- Barker, Messrs R. Ewan, C .Kennedy, F. Oakley, R. Thompson. R ev W. Brittel, and the Secretary, Mr J Duggan. The Headmaster (Mr p Heath), who was also present, rennrted the average school attendance ■’ 93 P er cent., and the staff as 100 ner cent. A new clock had been purchased for one of the schoolrooms, and Mr W. Hodgson had very kindly repaired three others. Four swimming carnivals had been attended by pupils, resulting in three West Coast 1 championships being brought to the school. Mr H. Christie (Chief Commissioner of th eßoy Scouts) and Sir Joseph Ward (District Commissioner for Canterbury), visited the school on Monday, and addressed lhe boys. Both expressed delight with their reception, and were particularly impressed with the bearing and conduct of the boys. Owing to continuous bad weather, school swimming trials had to be abandoned. Canterbury Education Board wrote refusing the Committee’s request for a large clock (which it was desired to hang in the school hallway), on the grounds that no large clocks were now procurable, and that owing to lack of finance clocks were no longer being supplied to schools. The Chairman's action in procuring a suitable number of records was approved of. All members of the Committee expressed themselves as highly surprised and disappointed at the failure of the Minister of Education, when recently in Runanga, to visit the school. It was decided on the motion of Messrs Oakley and Thompson that the Minister be written to in terms expressing regret and indignation. Arising out of a question brought forward by a member as to the issue of student progress report cards, the Headmaster stated he personally preferred the group system, and was quite prepared, at any time, to discuss with parents the individual merits _of the child concerned. It was decided to support the Headmaster in this direction. This Friday evening will see the first of their season’s functions for which the committee have arrangements well in hand. All praise is none too high for this laudable object, which fully -merits the support of .all. ..