SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 243, 13 September 1932, Page 9

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL

MONTHLY MEETING,

The monthly meeting of tho College Street Sheool Committee was held last night, when Colonel J. H. Whyte presided. Others present were Messrs Wollerman, Andrews, Worboys, Tucker, and Porsson (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs Mowlem and Turnbull. The headmaster, Mr W. A. Swinburn, was also in attendance.

The headmaster reported as under: “The roll to-day is 534, the average attendance last week having been 497. The school resumed with a good attendance, though some pupils are still absent through cliickenpox. The laying down of tho special covering on the quadrangle floor during the holidays has proved of great advantage both to tho comfort as well as the appearance of tho school. The football and basketball seasons are now over. Our teams lost the senior girls’ and midget competition which they won last year, but won the junior girls’ basketball competition. Miss Valentine, in charge of special classes, paid an inspection visit to the special class.”—Adopted. Tho chairman reported that while the .exemptions granted children whose parents wero not in a position to pay dental clinic fees were practically the same at the school as in the previous year, the Dental Clinic Committee had been able to curtail the charge to each school committee per child as a result of receiving a grant from the City Council. The charge had been reduced to Is 6d and whereas*' it had cost tho College Street School Committee £7 last year, it was expected that the chargto would bo curtailed by half this year. Despite repeated requests by tho headmaster, the parents had not come forward to claim exemption. None who applied had been refused exemption, added the chairman, and it would seem that many were of the opinion that it was only necessary to treat children’s teeth once every two years. Tho position was disappointing for unless the names were kept on the roll they were automatically ruled out. Tho caretaker was extended congratulations by Mr Tucker on the condition tho school was in following the vacation, Mr Tucker’s remarks being endorsed by the chairman and the headmaster.

An invitation is to be extended to Lieutenant-Colonel Sandlo to address the scholars on Arbor Day and, if suitable, tho function will be observed to-morrow. The chairman mentioned that Colonel Sandle intended leaving for Wellington on Thursday and there was, consequently, a possibility that ho might not find the date convenient. Tho treasurer (Mr Tucker) presented a financial statement which led Mr Wollerman to ask whether tile committee could emerge from the present year without having to undertake further efforts to raise funds, the chairman replying that ho thought the position was quite satisfactory in the meantime.

HOKOWHITU SCHOOL. The monthly meeting of the Hokowhitu School Committee was held last evening, Mr G. D. Pattle presiding. Also present were Messrs Wilson, Hepburn, Daniels, Gill, Burns and Houston (secretary'). Mr Sankey forwarded an apology for absence.

Accounts totalling £3B were passed for payment. The headmaster (Mr L. J. Plank) reported that the attendance was affected by an epidemic of influenza towards the ond of the second term, resulting in an average attendance of 321 out of an average roll of 356. The school reopened with a good attendance. Miss Z. Heatley, who acted ns relieving assistant during the second term, had been succeeded by Miss It. Lancaster. Miss Heatley had been a very conscientious teacher at all times, doing her work faithfully and well, said Sir Plank. Arbor Day would be celebrated next week and the headmaster hoped to have planted a number of trees and shrubs to further beautify the' school surroundings. The school concert, held last month, had been well supported by parents and showed a net profit of £l6 3s. —Mr Shailer was to be thanked for his donation of roses.—Adopted. Members expressed gratification at tho good financial result of the concert. It was decided to hold Arbor Day on September 21. The committee passed a motion expressing keen appreciation of the work which Mrs Gill had done on the ladies’ committee, also expressing regret that she had resigned her position as secretary. After a discussion it was decided to call tenders for the caretaking of the school.

The matter of procuring timber for the erection of partitions in the baths was left to the cliairman and secretary. Subsequently a meeting was held with the ladies’ committee, when general matters were discussed.