SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 244, 14 September 1932, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

TERRACE END SCHOOL

The monthly meeting of tho Terraco End School Committee was held last evening, Mr W. B. Cameron presiding. Also present were Messrs Maepherson, Smith, Allan. Davidson, Nash and Luke (secretary). Apologies lor absence were received from Messrs Petersen and Tennent.

The headmaster (Mr A. W. Thompson) reported that the number on the roll was now 655, tho second term having ended with an average of GO9.G, out of an average roll of 064.3. The average attendance lor the past three terms, on which tho school was graded, had been 623, so that the school had fallen a sub-grade. Owing to this decrease in attendance he had received information that a teacher was to he removed at tho end of tho year. The roll at the Hospital class was 9. At the end of last term Mr P. J. Hickey retired from the staff. His place had been filled by Miss M. Quirke, while Miss P. M. Hastings had been appointed for a further term. The football season had closed, tho Midget team, coached by Mr Hickey, being successful in winning the Millar and Oiorgi Cup. He had received through the committee tho set of eight volumes of the children’s university books which would bo of great value to the school. 'The amount collected during the past four weeks in connection with tho Savings Bank schomo was £ll Is Bd.

Tho chairman expressed regret at the impending loss of a teacher. It was due to prevailing conditions and to the growth of population on tlie other side of Featherston Street. With tho return of normal times it was hoped the position would he rectified. The Midgets wore congratulated upon their success and a letter of thanks is to he forwarded to Mr Hickey, the team’s coach.

Accounts amounting to £IG 4s lOd were passed for payment. The treasurer reported that the concert receipts were £3O 0s 9d and the expenses £3 Os Gd, leaving a return to the school of £27 Os 3d. The credit balance at the hank was £23 Is 4d, after paying in £lO4 received this month. Capitation would not he received again until December, hut the baths would soon he providing funds for tho school. Ho estimated that, at tlio end of tho year, there would be a surplus of about £ls. The chairman congratulated the headmaster and staff upon their excellent concert. Tho idea of holding two sessions was splendid aml the financial result showed the possibility of raising much needed funds lor the school by this means. Mr Thompson briefly returned thanks.

Mr Luke reported for tho visiting committee on material required for the cricket season and on essential repairs to the school and to the grounds. It was decided to attend to the preparation of a first class cricket pitch and to purchase tho material required. The matter of school repairs is to be brought beforo the Wanganui Education Board.

The date of opening the school baths was left to the headmaster and

caretaker, the wish being expressed that the date might be brought forward to October if the weather were suitable.

Messrs Davidson and Luke were appointed a visiting committee for the coining month. It was decided to grant two half-holi-days for the Royal Show.

CENTRAL SCHOOL.

At the monthly meeting last evening of tho Central School Committee, Mr W. G-. Black presided, also present being Messrs Cameron, Taylor, Tait, Kerslako (secretary), Jarrett and Gordon ; and the headmaster, Mr Bary. The headmaster reported that the average attendances for the last three terms had been ; December, 751; May, 754; August, 712. An application had been made for the deletion of the August term attendance owing to the epidemic of influenza, but with this granted the average attendance for the year, 753, was not sufficient to maintain the grade, for which purpose an average of 7GI was required. The result had been a reduction in tho school staff, no appointment being made to replace Mrs Robotham, who retired from the service at tho end of last term. The present roll was 791 and the average for last week was 737. Through the rationing of teachers, Miss McIntosh completed her period at the end of last school term anti had been replaced by Miss At. Hill, who commenced duty on September 5. It was proposed to hold, with the assistance of the ladies’ committee, two parties for the children. Attached to the report was a copy of the inspectors’ report on their visit to the school in July. The Education Board had also forwarded a letter of commendation upon the work at the school. Since the new building had been erected it had been found necessary to reorganise the playing areas, with the result that the concrete cricket pitch was in the wrong place. The committee was asked to consider the formation of two pitches and the purchase of a cricket net. The caretaker was preparing the baths for the coming season. Tho men working under the No. 5 relief scheme were displaying a keen interest in the grounds, which were looking very well. The headmaster desired to thank, through the committee, Air A. W. Just for a donation of annuals for planting in the gardens. The headmaster’s report was adopted and the chairman stated that it was extremely gratifying to tho committee and tho headmaster to receive the report made by the inspectors’ and the letter of commendation from the Education Board. On the chairman’s motion congratulations were extended to All- Bary.

The chairman, Air Taylor and the headmaster were deputed to inquire into the matter of providing cricket pitches, with power to act. The chairman and the secretary are to deal with tho acquiring of a cricket net. It was decided to celebrate Arbor Day on tho 23rd inst.

The chairman drew attention to what lie termed the unfair use of the school grounds by persons without authority, and cited instances. He moved that steps ho taken to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. Plots had been ridden over by persons on cycles and other harm done. It was decided to warn trespassers that they will be prosecuted and to lock the gates after school hours. The police are to be asked to keep the grounds under observation.

The chairman congratulated the Dental Clinic Committee on the reasonable attitude it had taken up with regard to exemptions from payment and their “common-sense decision to reduce the exemption fee to committees to Is 6d per pupil.” Tho decision would greatly help the school committee’s finance, Air Black added. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to recommend to the Dental Clinic Committee that it endeavour to arrive, at the earliest opportunity, at an efficient system of on rolls the attendance, of pupils and the checking of attendance notices, and that the committee receive a deputation of headmasters and school committee chairmen with a view to finalising the matter.