SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 30 April 1935, Page 7

SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY

HAWERA SCHOOL JUBILEE ; SUITABLE CELEBRATION PLANS HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEET ING Preliminary arrangements for the celebration of the diamond jubilee of the liawera Main School were undertaken at last night’s statutory annual meeting of householders, when it was decided to hold a general meeting of all ex-pupils and others interested on May 14 in order to further the project. Tentative suggestions as to the form the celebrations might take are that an assembly of pa*t and present pupils be held, followed by a reunion conversazionne, a Sunday thanksgiving service and possibly a ball on the following Monday night. The present school committee, "with Dr. W. M. Thomson, as chairman, and Mr H- Collier as secretary, together! with others present at last night’s meeting, were formed a temporary jubilee committee to convene the forthcoming general meeting of expupils. The wish was expressed that as many as possible endeavour to attend, and that where possible lists of t-lie names of old pupils be supplied so that a roll may be compiled. The present school lias been in existence since 1875 and several of the original scholars are still resident in the district. Dr. Thomson, who presided, expressed pleasure at the good attendance of householders, which was most gratifying to the committee, and indicated, lie said, a healthy growth of public interest in its activities during the past year and particularly as regards the approaching school jubilee. The committee elected in 1934, he pointed cut, would hold office until 1936, so that there would be no election at this meeting.

necessity for economy

‘ ‘The activities of the committee again have been considerably curtailed in consequence of the continued necessity for economy in expenditure, concurrent with depleted income,” stated Dr. Thomson in liis annual report. “Although the financial report shows r, small balance to the credit of fhe committee, this has been made possible only by the efforts of the committee and staff in the necessity to supplement the capitation income and by the excellent support of parents and friends of the school given to such efforts. Especially, at this juncture, 1 desire, on behalf of my committee, to extend sincere thanks to the members of the Hawera Drama Circle, to the principal, staff and pupils of the Hawera Technical High School and to. the supporting public who made the effort in the Grand Theatre last November a financial success.

‘‘.The school attendance continues to drop and' the efleet of sueli continued decline cannot but be drastically felt by the school in that the loss of teaching assistants must inevitably follow. “At the close of the third term in December last the school lost another very efficient assistant when Miss C. Trewin was transferred to Central School, New Plymouth, and under the regulations whereby the grade of the school was lowered consequent upon the decline in attendance, her plac-e was not filled. Another assistant left at the same time in the person of Mrs Roberts and her position was filled by the appointment of Miss Walker and Miss Simpson is to come in May. EFFICIENT TEACHING “The standard of teaching at the school continues to be well maintained and parents are fortunate indeed that their children continue to study under such efficiency as obtains. “The vexed question of the exclusion of five-year-old children from attendance was taken up vigorously by the South Taranaki 1 School Committees’ Association and was the subject of a remit to the Federation of School Committees held in the latter part of last year. .That the pressure brought to bear for a review of this matter will hear fruit is the hope of members of school committees in this district.' In conclusion. Dr. Thomson expressed his thanks to the members of the committee for their loyal co-operation during the past year and to the headmaster (Mr J. W. Thomas) and staff for their loyalty and devotion to duty and their special services in connection with the welfare of the school generally.

He also referred in terms of the highest praise to the work of the secretary of the committee (Mr Collier), who had devoted the utmost of his time and energy to the onerous duties of his office. The committee was deeply grateful to Mr Collier for his interest and enthusiasm and was pleased to know that his services in that capacity were still available. The treasurer (Mr J. I>. Tait) reported a balance to the credit of the committee of*£2 Is lOd on the year’s working. SCHOOL ATTAINMENTS. After returning thanks to. the committee for its courtesy and oonsidera-

t-ion in all matters affecting the staff Mr Thomas, reviewed the scholastic musical and .spoils attainments of the •school, and referred also to -several essential services. Ho said that a suitable- radio receiving installation would be welcomed in the school so that the children might listen to and profit by tho regular series of educational broadcasts. Renovations and additions were required to the school library which, in its present state, did not- fulfil the requirements of so large a- school. An important) and necessary work was the repairs to the asphalting in the- school grounds which was breaking up and becoming deplorable. So far as musical education and I instruction was concerned the school was fortunate in possessing a, body of Hawera citizens in the Hawera Main School Band and Orchestra. Committee to administer this side of its activities. The committee controlled its own funds’ which included bequest monies and donations and to-day instruments .to- the- value of from £SOO to £6OO were in use by the children who received instructions on the payment. of a. nominal weekly fee. ‘The band and orchestral classes were under Mr H. O. A. Fox and the stringed instrument class’ under Mr R. Maunder. In organising a- band and orchestra. the main difficulty was with children leaving the school on passing the sixth standard, eleven instrumentalists leaving last year alone. However, with the younger children coming on, there remained the nucleus' of an equally good combination. In sport the school had taken its place with other South Taranaki schools and in Rltigby won the South Taranaki divisional championship. The old spirit of playing the game to win was fast dying out, there being inculcated the desire to play the game for the game’s sake. Although in swimming the same advantage hail not’ been taken of baths facilities as in previous years between 5Q and 60 children qualified for certificates. Dr. Thomson, in remarking upon the progress of the school, mentioned the success attained in forestry and agriculturai subjects.

LIBRARY ADDITIONS.

In reply to a question by Mr A. H. Larkman, the chairman said that additions to the library had been made by parents contributing books, but it was difficult to obtain books suitable for such a purpose by this means. He felt that the Department realised the value of a good library and one of its first measures would be to restore the subsidy at one time paid on library purchases. To Mr Larkman the secretary intimated that the Department would not consider making a grant- to the committee for asphalt repairs. The reports and balance-sheet were adopted. In reply to a question by Mr J. W. Arclibold, the headmaster ‘ said that the classes averaged 40 pupils, but with the departu’v> of assistants at an early date a redistribution would increase the average to well above 50, that was, in tho standards., In the infant department the class’ average was lower and most desirable. • '

As a parent Mr J. Dash said he viewed with some concern the high average classes with which teacher® were expected to. cope and from which it was expected they should obtain the very best results./ 11l liis opinion a class roll of even 35 was far too large if the best results were to be obtained. y Dr. Thomson saiiL.t.be Department's answer to this w«,s -invariably that “for the. wholo Dominion the average was well under 40.” This was a false average and lie pointed out the grave injustice dene to children and teachers alike by serious overcrowding. Oil the motion of Mr Dash, seconded by Mi- Arch bold, a- vote of thanks to the committee for its work was carried by acclamation. FIVE-YEAII-OLD ENROLMENT. lte-introducing the subject of admission age Mr Arclibold spoke briefly and on his motion it- was resolved unanimously that the Government be. requested emphatically to. permit the enrolment of five-year-olds.

As secretary of the Hawt-ra. Dental Clinic Committee Mr Collier reported that children attending; 13 , schools in the district availed themselves of the service and tribute was paid to- the most efficient service- rendered by the nurse in charge (Miss I. Rawson) who was regarded by the officers of the Dental Division of the Department of Health as one of outstanding qualification. Dealing with the matter of finances the secretary stated that tlio committee was- required to contribute £3O annually towards the nurse’s salary and pay maintenance and running expenses which absorbed more than the actual amount received: in subscriptions of 2s Gd per child. In order to meet the situation the clinic had to close for a. portion of the year and it was only then that many parents were brought to realise the value of the -service they received. Mr Collier paid tribute to the extent of the secretarial assistance given to him by Miss Rawsciu and also by Mr A. W. Lawn. CELEB RATIONS WORTHY OF EVENT'.

Arrangements for the celebration of the school jubilee were discussed with the Mayor of Hawera. (Mr J. E. Campbell) on his- arrival at the meeting from a, prior engagement. The information gained by the secretary in .the course of preliminary inquiries ’' was submitted and suggestions were ad-

vanced by Mr G. C. Harris and Mr K. J. Yearbury. aho Mayor said that as an ex-pupil ho would like to see the celebrations take a. form worthy of the occasion, especially in view of the fact- that some of the original pupils were still living and resident hi the district. He felt that if some permanent memento was desired of

the event ex-pupils would rally to- | gctlicr and for the possible proceed:.? | of the various, functions achieve that object. It was decided to convene a meeting for Tuesday, April 14, at 8 o’clock in the Hawera. Borough Chambers,