RUSSELL STREET SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 111, 11 April 1931, Page 2

RUSSELL STREET SCHOOL.

' COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The report of the Russell Street School Committeo to bo presented to the annual meeting of householders is as follows: — The roll numbor of the school at 28th February was 213 compared with 187 at the same date last year, and with 117 at the opening of the 6chool in March, 1929. Of the total roll 71 are in tho primer classes and these class rooms arc ' much overcrowded. Already the attendance exceeds the number the school was designed to accommodate. The committeo has repeatedly approached tho board regarding extra class rooms and it is hoped that the department will provide extra accommodation after the 31st March. Mr F. C. Campbell remains headmaster, Miss Piercy, infant mistress; and Mr H. V. Mountfort assistant master. During the year Miss D. Berndtson was appointed to the staff. At the end of tho third term Mr J. D. Campbell and Miss M. Mclsaac left the staff, having completed their terms at the school. They were succeeded by Mr D. Biel and Miss J. Sheppard. Miss Tily acted as relieving teacher during the year. Organised sports have had full attention from the staff. The girls have engaged in basketball and baseball and the boys in Rugby and cricket. Life saving land drill has been taught and, thanks to the generosity of the Terrace End School Committee, their baths have been available for tho teaching of swimming. Fifty-one swimming certificates were gained during tho year. The committee much appreciates the interest, timo ana energy which the various members of the staff have given to this department of school life. Mr Lange’s scheme of development has been followed on as far as funds have allowed. Early last year the basketball courts were excavated and graveled by contract, The No. 1 unemployment scheme was taken advantage of to provide curbing and gravel for the main drivo. No. 2 scheme was used to level tho playground for tho primer children. Tho No. 3 schemo has been used to complete the terrace and to surface the basketball courts. The committee has to thank Mr Fnrquhar and Mr J. R. Hughes for plans, specifications, supervision and advice. Tho school is particularly fortunate in having on its staff Mr Mountfort. He enthusiastically undertook tho direction and supervision of the work undor the No. 3 Scheme and has given many hours of his time. The committeo cannot speak too highly of tho valuable service which he has rendered. In August an enthusiastic committeo of ladios organised a fancy dress party and carried it to a successful conclusion. Tho party was woll supported by parents, thoroughly enjoyed by the children and reflected great credit on the ladies and staff who controlled it. It resulted in a very welcome surplus of £2l 9s. Just as valuable was the discovery that we havo so many ladies intensely interested in the welfare of tho school and tho children. The first annual sports were held in December and there was an excellent attendance of parent? and friends. They wore much appreciated by the girls and boys. The accounts show’ that the year ended with a deficit of £l4 10s 7d which is a much better result than was anticipated. Tho committee has thought it wise to support tho various unemployment schemes, even at the cost of gotting into debt. Our relations with tho board have been particularly happy and we again desire to express our hearty thanks for tho kindly help and prompt attention given by tho board’s secretary, its architect and its agricultural instructor. Tho committee joined with other schools in an endeavour to establish a central dental clinic, but, on account of tho financial crisis and the earthquake, completion will bo delayed. It will be necessary for our district to provide at least £SO as its sharo of tho building fund, but the committeo feels assured that parents will recognise tho necessity of dental treatment and find some means of raising tho money. We have to thank many parents and friends for donations, for car sorvico and for hard work; we thank tho Press for excellent reports and announcements and Mr A. J. Phillipps for auditing our accounts. Tho members of tho committeo are Messrs C. E. Lees, G. C. Perrin, C. G. Swallow, F. T. Yasey, R. J. Wright, D. Morrison (chairman), and P. S. Larcoinb (secretary).”