PAEROA SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4278, 12 May 1950, Page 10

PAEROA SCHOOL

HOUSEHOLDERS MEET CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TWO YEARS’ WORK REVIEWED In presenting his report to the meeting of householders of Paeroa od April 26 the chairman of the Paeroa District High School Committee, Mr S. Wheeler, said: “Of the nine members elected at the last householders’ meeting seven held office at the close of the term. The other two members resigned due to their leaving the district. Firstly your former chairman for seven years, Mr Chas. Webb, in 1948. Mr Webb was a very able chairman and member and his work is well-known to all of you. The committee in conjunction with the parent-teacher association made a suitable presentation to him prior to 'his departure in recognition of his excellent service. The vacancy created was filled by the appointment of Mr L. Trim, who unfortunately had to resign later owing to his transfer to Hawera. His place was taken by Mr R. Ead'es, who is still a member. Mr L. Wrigley resigned last December but the vacancy was not filled owing to the approach of the end of the two year term. Mr Wrigley also did good work and was a valuable member.

“During the term the school 'had several (rhMnges in the Wtaff. Mr Rusco, former headmaster, transferred to Napier at short notice at the end of 1948. No opportunity existed to formally farewell Mr Ruscoe but the committee and the parentteacher association and staff joined in making a presentation to him as a mark of appreciation for his excellent services to the school.

Many Improvements Made “The committee has had a busy and interesting term of office and many improvements have been effected. There are, however, several improvements still necessary and the committee has consistently kept these before the Auckland Education Board with the hope that they will be eventually carried out. Shortage of material and manpower together with the vast accumulation of work not done during the war years and the steadily increasing roll, necessitating more classroom accommodation have made the work of the committee rather difficult at times. Roll Now 655 Pupils

“The total roll in April 1948 was 589. Today it is 655—525 primary and 130 secondary. The accommodation at both schools is now taxed to its utmost but with the. erection of two prefabricated classrooms in the very near future the situation should be eased somewhat. The erection of these rooms is now overdue as the work was supposed to have been commenced last month. Accommodation at the primary was so acute last year that it was found necessary to have the detached room opposite the dental clinic divided into two rooms and this year it has been found necessary to accommodate forms one and two in the secondary building. Residence for Teachers “For some time prior to the committee taking office negotiations for the erection of a teacher’s new residence were carried out and the committee’s efforts were eventually successful. A new residence was erected in school property above the primary school and is occupied by the senior master of the secondary department. The lack of housing for the teaching staff is evident in many places but your committee has been fortunately able to secure housing for all the married members of the staff. Site For a New School

“The desirability of securing a suitable area of land, reasonably adjacent to the town, as a site for the erection of a new primary school in the future was realised by your committee which submitted proposals to the board in August 1948 for the purchase of an area considered suitable. Protracted negotiations followed between the board and the owner but it is regretted that the purchase was not finalised and the area is not now available. Bicycle Accommodation

“The need for additional bicycle accommodation at the High School was represented nearly two years ago but the accommodation has not as yet been erected. A tender for the work was obtained and forwarded to the board which then forwarded it to the department in Wellington. Final approval is still awaited. Improvements Effected

“Various improvements have been effected during the two years, some of which are as follows:—

“Telephone installed in the primary department; Zip heater instal lation in the primary school; primary school playing area resealed and classrooms painted where deemed necessary; High School building repainted;

school pianos have received attention and other equipment and sports gear purchased. “A fine primary school library has been established with the assistance of the parent-teacher association, which made the original donation and has since donated further sums for the extension of this library. Shelves have been erected in one of the infant block rooms not suitable for a classroom and fluorescent lighting installed. An electric school bell was installed at the High School in place of the old hand bell. “A new milk stand was erected at the High School and arrangements for the installation of a radio and speaker system in the primary school are also nearing completion. Agricultural Course

“Towards the end of 1948 your Committee discussed what appeared to it a necessity namely, some alternative course to the academic course for secondary pupils and it was resolved that an agricultural course would be the most suitable. The matter was discussed fully with the then headmaster, Mr Ruscoe, his secondary staff and officers of the board and the department. The course was commenced in a small way at the beginning of 1949 and attracted a number of Form IV boys. The position of senior master at the High School Was raised to that of a special post and the school was very fortuneate in having in Mr H. R. Heward’, an agricultural specialist, appointed to the position. The course was then further developed by Mr Reward and has attracted wide attention throughout the district and this year approximately 30 boys are taking the course as complementary to this course. A home science home craft course has been established for the girls. These courses plus an increased roll necessitate the full time employment of both instructors but advice has recently been received that owing to difficulty in staffing the Manual Training School at Kaitikati a three day timetable only would be available from the commencement of the secend term. Your committee has strongly protested to the board' regarding this matter but so far without success. Transport “Transport arrangements were made for the conveyance of quite a number of secondary pupils from the Netherton district to. the Paeroa school. The bus contractor continues to provide a very good service. “The balance sheet is before you tonight and you will see that aH accounts are in credit —the total being £l7l/12/-. The general account should ‘be larger but refunds to the committee by the board for approximately £l7O have not yet been received. I would like to place on record the committee’s appreciation of the excellent service rendered by the retiring treasurer, Mr R. S. Nicol, who is not seeking re-election. Mr Nicol always presents his accounts in a most businesslike manner and his accounts have, been returned 1 from audit with no comments. Only those who have served on the committee with Mr Nicol know the amount of work entailed' and regret that Mr Nicol is not standing this year and thank him for what he has done.

“Another member, Mr P. Williams, is also not seeking re-election. Mr Williams proved a most valuable member and we extend our thanks to him for his excellent service. To the other retiring members who are seeking rejection I desire to personally thank them all for their co-operation andassistance. They have all- proved an excellent team, have .been imbued with the desire to serve and the result has been an excellent team spirit. Work of School Staff

“To Mr G. H. Gubbins, headmaster, and his staff we extend our thanks and appreciation for the good work done at both schools. Mr Gubbins possesses progressive ideas and has in no small measure enhanced the standard of the school. Mr Heward has given the High School new life and has raised the tone considerably. Excellent results were obtained at the examinations and pupils are a credit to the staff. Parent-Teacher Association “The parent-teacher association has again done a wonderful job. It members are keenly interested in the welfare of the whole school and the pupils and' are always ready to assist with any worth-while objective. The association is a vital link in the chain of school activities and has assisted in ways too numerous to mention.

“Our thanks are also due to the press for the publicity given to school affairs and the interest displayed in the activities of the committee and the school.

“To the Paeroa Borough Council we express appreciation of its willing cooperation and assistance. To the school caretaker and his assistant the committee extends its thanks for a very fine job. The cleanliness of the schools and the tidiness of the grounds are a tribute to their efforts.

Not Seeking Re-election

“In conclusion may I add that I am not seeking re-election to the committee. I have enjoyed, every minute of my seven years on the committee. It monibus relations which exist between is vry interesting work and the harthe committee, the staff and' the parent-teacher association have been mainly responsible for the excellent results obtained. “To the members of the new committee I trust that they will find their term of office as interesting and worthwhile as I have found mind. I feel confident that although much has been done and much yet remains to ‘be done the work of the committee will continue to prove well worth the time and effort required. “Today’s children are the citizens of tomorrow and will some day take over the course of affairs in this winderful country and what little we can do to assist them towards being good and useful citizens with a good educational start in life is really work well dope.”