RUSSELL ST. SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 108, 7 April 1932, Page 8

RUSSELL ST. SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The final meeting of the year was held by the Russell Street School Committee last evening. Mr I>. Morrison presided and there were also present Messrs Perrin, Wright, Lees and Larcomb (secretary). # The Education Board advised that the committee was entitled to nine members and ,that nominations could be made at the householders’ meeting, as the attendance for the year had been above 200 but below 240 memVipro vPfl. The board advised that the capitation would be forwarded immediately. •—Received, Mr Larcomb stating that it had not yet come to hand. The headmaster (Mr F. C. Campbell) reported as follows: —“The present roll is 227 and the average 213. I have to acknowledge from Mr G. Arlidge the receipt of four bushel cases of apples for distribution among the primer classes. In the inter-school cricket the school has done particularly well, the team having won all its matches. During the season just closed pupils of the school have gained 80 life-saving and swimming certificates. These represent a gain of 30 over the 1931 season. The school team gained fifth position in the Pat Cunninghame life-saving competition. In the Wrigley Memorial Shield competition the girls gained fourth place. Mr Mountfort is to be complimented upon the results of his efforts in this department of the school’s activities. The school will again hold a short Anzac Day service on the lines of last year’s. To the outgoing committee I would express on behalf of myself and staff our appreciation of the efforts made in connection with the school and its environment.”—Adopted. A letter of appreciation is to be forwarded Mr Arlidge for his donation. The chairman commented on the satisfactory nature of the school’s sports activities. Mr Mountfort is to be forwarded a note of the committee’s appreciation of his keen interest in this connection. It was left to the chairman to arrange with tho Returned Soldiers’ Association for a speaker on Anzac Day. Ensign Thorne is also to be approached to officiate.

Mr Larcomb reported that the committee had obtained £l9 lbs 3d from the recent fair. The net result was £l9 13s 9d.—lt was decided to convey the committee’s appreciation and congratulation to the ladies’ committee for their assistance in this effort. ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the third annual report to be submitted by the committee to the meeting of householders: “The roll now stands at 227 as compared with 117 when the school opened. At the beginning of this year the new class-room was available for use and it has relieved the overcrowded condition which existed last year. The committee expresses its thanks to the board and Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., for their efforts in securing this room. The committee expresses its appreciation of the work ot the teaching staff from the headmaster to the junior. We recognise that they are particularly capable, conscientious in their work and energetic, not only in the class100ms but in all matters which are for the benefit of the children. Mr D. Biel and Miss Joan Sheppard left the staff at the end of last year in accordance with the department’s regulations. They have been replacel by Miss E. Tankersley and Miss R. Beard who are specialists in music and physical culture respectively. The sports department work has again had the full attention of the staff. Football, basketball, cricket and rounders have been organised and well carried out. The Terrace End baths, through the generosity of the Terrace End School Committee were again available for our swimming classes and a large number of children have been taught to swim. The annual sports day was entirely successful, as were the swimming sports. The healmaster and staff arranged the usual parents day during the year. It was particularly well attended and was valuable for the insight which it gave parents into the conditions at the school. The school has been particularly fortunate in having such an energetic body of ladies to assist it. Miss Anderson resigned the chairmanship of the ladies’ committee during the year and her place was taken by Mrs McDonell. Mrs Munro again acted as secretary. The ladies organised and carried through the fancy dress party, the bazaar and the afternoon tea and other attractions on sports day. They raised a total of £44 13s 3d for the benefit of the school. This is a particularly excellent contribution _ considering the depression from which we are suffering. The dental clinic facilities are not yet available to all pupils, but we have been advised that tho school will have full admission to the dental clinic during April. The committee has been as active as possible in ciirrying on the grounds improvement scheme with the funds available. Unemployed relief work was again made use of as far as possible. The front lawn has been completed, gardens improved, the drive completed and the bath site excavated. There remains to be done seveini paths and the completion of the baths. The commottee again gratefully recognises the wonderful work which has been done by Mr iL V- Mountfort in supervising these works, lie has given a great deal of time and energy and the oommittee is fortunate in having a teacher who has practical knowledge to enable him to carry out such work so well. In addition to the completion of the grounds improvement sciieme the school has many requirements, such as a piano library, museum and certain indoor equipment. “The year .commenced with a_ debit Baianoe at the Bank of £l4 10s 7d. It ends with a credit balance ot £3 3s Id, But the committee has debts of some .£14.. The withdrawal of subsidies on -voluntary contributions seriously affected the finance of the school. The capitation received from the board ■was £BL This amount merely covers cleaning, heating and lighting, but it leaves nothing tor repairs and maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. The committee recommends parents to interest themselves as far as possible in the proposed education economies ■with a view to ensuring that the educational necessities of the country receive full consideration in comparison -with other expenditure. The committee acknowledges its thanks to the .Education Board, to Mr J. A. Nash, 31 P and to the Citv Council, Palmerston North City Band, the Press and to many others for valuable assistance freely given. The school is now entitled to a committee of nine members, Last year Mr A, S. Burgess, a member of the committee, left the district and his place was not filled.