HAWERA SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 March 1929, Page 2

HAWERA SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hawera Main S'chool committee was held on Tuesday evening, when the following members were present: Messrs J. W. Harding (chairman), T. J. Salmon, G. H. Westwood, F. C. Foden, M. 11. Jones, W. H. Entwistle, L. H. Carrel and IJ.1 J . O'. Veale (secretary) . The headmaster, Mr. F. A. Bates, reported that the roll number had greatly increased since the re-opening after the annual vacation and increased average attendances were a feature during the month. The average attendance for February was 586 as compared with 559 or February, 1925, and 573 for December last.

The new heating system and the painting of the outside of the school were completed. The school had received a visit from the Hon. H. Atmore, Minister of Education. He' had inspected each room, met the teachers and given a brief talk to tile children of each class. Swimming had been a feature of_fche work of the month. On four afternoons each week classeis were taken for instruction and practice in the borough baths. Large entries had been received for almost all races at the annual swimming sports, and many good -finishes bad resulted. The Thompson Gup for girls had been won by Jill Hunter and the Gray Cup by Blonald Buckland. The nett proceeds, £5 10s, would be devoted to buying books for the school library and for material for the infants. In. each book would he entered the name of a winner of one of the races with a record of his success. The hook would be taken home by the boy to be read after which it would be placed in the school library for general use. .... ~ Long distance swimming had resulted in 26 pupils gaining merit, certificates for swimming a half-mile and 31 proficiency certificates (220yds). Instruction in life saving was ingThe shelving in the reading room had been completed by Mr. Reed, assisted by the woodwork boys. Arrangements were being made to classify books for issue to' pupils. Correspondence was received as to alt-erationis and improvements, to the school. The chairman reported having received an extra grant of £2O as a special allowance towards the increased expenditure incurred through additions to the school. A half holiday for the school was derided upon to admit of attendance on March 20 at the gymkhana of the Elgin out A. and P. Society.