WEST END SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 116, 12 April 1930, Page 6

WEST END SCHOOL

COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT. Tho following report will bo submitted by the West End School Committee to the forthcoming , annual meeting of householders : : “It is to be regretted that the grade of the school was reduced' as from February 1, 1930, owing to a fall in the roll number, and an assistant was withdrawn. However, the roll is now increasing, and regular attondanco on the part of all pupils should result in the restoration of the original grade before ' long. Judging by the results of the annual examinations and show competitions, the scholastic standard of tho school is high and the headmaster and staff are to bo oommended for tho results. The dux boy for the year was Barry Allen and the dux girl Anna Christensen. On the athletic field tho school appears to be regaining the prestige it once held. In tho junior football competition the boys acquitted themselves very well, and after many close and stern contests suffered defeat in the final by a close margin; One team has been provided with football jerseys and it is hoped that a further set can be provided during tho coming season. Tho winter playing areas, also require attention in tho near future. In the 1930 cricket competition tho senior boys won_ three out of the five games played, and were runners-up to Convent. The junior team, though not so successful, made quite a good showing. In the girls’ competitions the junior team won the baseball rounders. The sports cups in 1929 were awarded to Douglas McEwen and Ada Mouldey. “The requisitions and demands of past committees in pursuing tho policy of making tho school as healthy as possible have now borne fruit, and the damp proofing and rough casting of tho whole of the exterior of the original building has completely overcome the dampness problem. The work has also considerably enhanced tho appearance of the building. The playing areas have also not been overlooked. Further spoil • has been carted on to tho playing area by courtesy of the Borough Council and now some two thousand yards have been deposited. A vast amount of work has yet to bq done and it is to be hoped that this will be one of the first projects of tho incoming committee. There is little doubt that the lack of suitable playing areas and facilities is detrimental to a school’s progress. “The annual picnic was again held at the Esplanade and was a very successful function. The day was not all that could have been wished for, but the site, well sheltered and with its swings, see-saws and chute, is an admirable one. Considerable work has also been expended in improving tho surrounding of the bath, for which work the Wanganui Education Board has made a very appreciable grant of £l5O. Once again the work of the committee has been greatly simplified and lightened by the ladies’ committee, and it has to be thanked for tho very arduous work it has successfully carried out during the past year. The committee appreciates the activities of the ladies to the fullest and realise that .it would be difficult to carry on without their assistance. During the year a very successful children’s ball was held, and also a very entertaining concert. From these sources the committee’s finances benefited to, the extent of over £4O. For several years tho ladies’ committee has closely concentrated on tho project of raising funds for the erection of a swimming bath and to December last their effort had been rewarded by raising the sum of £550. In November last the committee decided to proceed with tho work, and the bath was completed at a cost of £llsß. The undertaking of ' this work meant the raising of a considerable sum of money in a very short period. By an active canvass and the holding of a very successful bazaar the balance of. the finance has been found. The committee wishes to thank all who helped by donations and otherwise, and particularly the ladies’ committeo in its long-sustained effort The swimming bath was officially opened by Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., on April 5, 1930, by the unveiling of a foundation stone very generously donated by Messrs Beattie and Procter, Ltd. It was a proud moment for all who have been connected with the school and marks the accomplishment of a long and strenuous struggle. The baths are a decided acquisition npt only to the school, but also to tho town as a whole. , , . “It is with very deep regret that wo have to record the death of our late secretary and friend, Mr Lyne. His name will always be associated with the school as l one of its most arduous and faithful workers. “The committee desires to thank the local members of the Wanganui Education Board (Messrs Oram and Woodroofc) fer the support they havo given to the school and education generally. Also to record its appreciation to tho headmaster, Mr Moore, and his staff for their practical support. We tender thanks also to Mrs Phillips, not onlv for the excellent way sho keeps the school, but for other very practical ass ' st ' ance. We also thank Mr W. Hunter for his honarary audit of our books, and tho Press for their excellent reports of our meetings. In conclusion, we trust that the interest of householders in their school will be reflected in their attendance at the annual meeting when a suppkmentary bal-ance-sheet in connection with the bath and bazaar will be presented.” TREASURER’S REPORT. Tho financial year as far as the school is concerned ended on February 28, and tho balance-sheet to be presented; to the meeting is to that date only. The principal items are as follow General Account. This account at tho beginning of March 1929, was in debit to the extent of £lO 4s 2d, but in February, 1930, was left in credit to the extent of £33 8s 7d. J his was possible by transferring £42 7s 6d of donations received to the general account. Special account; This account commenced tho year with a credit of £27 14s 3d and we received £147 2s 6d from the Education Board in subsidies for work done, including the concreting of the school yard. Donations received and credited to this account amounted to £B7 13s 6d and echoed concerts, etc., apart from, amounts received by tho ladies committee, yielded £25 0b 5d These moneys wore expended in payment of tho concreting contract, firewood library books, football jersoys, etc., and at th l end of February, 1930. this account was in debit to the oxtont of £9 12s 6d. There is a further liability of £9 12s 6d on this account but a furthor subsidy of £l9 5s is duo by the Education Board and vrhon this amount is received the account will bo square. Baths aocount: This year it was decided to proceeded with tho erection ot tho school baths and an active canvass of the district was launched for donations to tho fund. The ladios’ committee handed ovor £571 collected by them in previous years, and by tho end of February, 1930, a further sum of £63 17s had been collected in donations. Of this, amount, £550 has been paid ovor to the contractor and tho statement to be presented to tho meeting shows a credit balance in hand ol £B4 lis. General report: Owing to the school having dropped one grado, tho capitation grants will bo £lO less for the ensuing financial year than wo have received for sonio years past. During tho past year tho capitation grants amounted to £135 and when it is romombered that cleaning °f the school absorbs £lO4 aud '.firowood £3O for tbo year, it will be soon that any repairs and improvements effected to tho _ school must be paid for out of moneys raisod by y°ur committees, and this district assist tho school financially and by working-bees. Special thanks are duo to tho ladies committee for the great assistance givon during tho year. The committee again desires to express its thanks to tho several donors of cheques, and to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of all who worked so hard to make the bazaar a success and to mako tho baths an accomplished fact.”