SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 June 1926, Page 3

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

HAWERA HIGH SCHOOL. MEETING OF BOARD. The Hawera High School Board met- at the school last evening. There were present: Mr R. S. Sage (chairman), Mrs J. W. J. Harding, Messrs A. Gray (headmaster), J. W. J. Harding, J. Gray. T. C. Hobbs and W. Entvistle. The headmaster’s report stated (inter alia): The school resumed on May 25, the numbers at present -in attendance being as follow: Commercial, senior 16, intermediate 34, junior 29, total 79; literary, senior 29, intermediate 31, junior 37, total 97; agriculture, intermediate 2. junior 7, total 9; home science, senior 1, intermediate 3, junior 7, total 1.1; engineeer-ing, senior 7, intermediate 5. junior 15, total 27; making a grand total of 223 ‘‘Up to the present,” continued the report, “there has been very little sickness and the attendance lias been good. In order to run as little risk as possible with, the health of the students, it appeared advisable to extend the lunch recess by ten minutes during the winter months, and this has been done. ‘‘The Department, has granted the sum oF £l5O for the heating of the laboratory and the engineering building. In this connection Mr C. H. Moore, the Education Board’s architect, spent some time at the school yesterday (June 14), and went thoroughly into the question of the installation of heaters. “Referring to the work to be done in the plaground, I beg to suggest that the order of importance is (1) paths, (2) laying down of front, (3) laying down of back, (4) fence. “The increased attendance warranted the engagement of a part-time teacher in commercial subjects. I have had considerable difficulty in securing an assistant, hut have now secured the services of Mir Veitch. accountant. “Dairy Laboratory Work.—The boys have been continuing their work under Mr Veale, and during liis holidays work is being given them bv Mr He ward.”

The report was received. HEATING INSTALLATION. Referring further to the proposed heating of the laboratory and the engineering building, as mentioned dii his report, the headni aster -said the- -architect had intimated it would be easy to have the pipe system installed in the laboratory, though in the case, of the engineering rooms some difficulty would be experienced, on account of’ tho sliding doors, in effecting the required grade to and from the boiler. He had suggested -that if possible two heaters be provided for these rooms. The work contemplated did not- include the heating of the office and the preparatory room. It was de-cided to request the assistance of the architect in arranging the expenditure of the grant- of £l5O on the work. GRANT FOR EQUIPMENT. In reply to the board’s application fo-r grants totalling £196 5« 6d for equipment, Lh e Director of Education advised that a grant of £133 15s Jiad been, approved in respect of 50 desks (£l3l 55,), cupboard locks, etc. (£2 10-s). Regarding office furniture, tlio letter intimated that such must be -provided out of the allowance for incidentals. BUILDING REPAIRS. Replying to the application forwarded on December 14, 1925, lor a grant toiwards irepairing cracks which nad appeared in the walls of the school, the Director of Education, writing on May 26, advised that a report presented to the Education Board by its architect stated the cracks were not serious, out might cause damage by letting in water. The architect proposed, thereto re, to fill in the cracks from tli© outside. There was no danger to the building. The necessity for having t-lie work completed was stressed by the headmaster, who also reported on the visit made by the architect, and it was decided to communicate with the Education Board with a view to having it expedited. Regarding a further application made on April 26, requesting that the two outside doors opening on to the upstairs balconies be replaced by heavier doors, it ivas decided to again communicate with the Department, -stressing the urgency of the- matter. HOME SCIENCE WING.

A letter forwarded by the board to the Director of Education on. February 9 requested that the school building be completed by the erection- of the Home Science wing, as sfiown on the original plan. The letter stated that the system of having the cookery taken at the old Technical School in Princes Street was most inconvenient, and in addition the board of managers had no voice- in the conduct of manual classes nor. any control of the building in Princes Street. In the circumstances, •it was felt that the only satisfactory solution was the building of the home science wing as requested, especially a-s the school had been opened this year with 50 or 60 more students than at the opening last year. Replying on April 29, the Director of Education stated that the Department was of the opinion that the Board of Managers should control the old Tehcnical School in Princes Street, and should conduct there the necessary classes in home science for both primary and secondary pupils. He -asked, therefore, whether the hoard would communicate with tho controlling authorities with a view to arranging the matter. Regarding tho question of time-table, it wa-s thought that by sending classes dpwn to the old building for half a day ’at- a time any difficulties would be overcome.

It was decided to communicate, as suggested, with the Taranaki Education Board, the controlling authority mentioned.

GENERAL. On the conclusion of a lengthy discussion regarding improvements to- the school grounds, it was decided to -accept the lowest tender received for fencing, and also to adopt the- recommendations of the works committee for ploughing, levelling and sowing the front portion of the area. Messrs Hobbs and Entwistl© were appointed to make inquiries concerning a proposal for increasing the size of the bicycle shed, and to report to- the next meeting. Approval was given to -a -suggestion made by Miss Earl, -of the school staff, that- she should make- application, in response to invitation extended by the Department, for the exchange of positions for a. year with a teacher of domestic science in Gerat Britain. Accounts toa’ilng £162 3s lOd were passed for payment.