WEST END SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 7 April 1934, Page 2

WEST END SCHOOL

FINAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. SHORT STAFFING PROTESTED AGAINST. The final meeting of the present committee of the West End School was held last evening, when Mr G. Tremaine presided. Others present were Messrs A. N. Beattie, A. Penketh, W. Schwabe, A. McLean, W. Oliver, L. Hogg, and G. K. Hollier (secretary). The headmaster (Mr H. W. Jackson) was in attendance. The Education Board advised that Miss I. K. Lindsay had been appointed to the position of Grade 2 assistant mistress on the staff of the school, and would commence her duties on May 21.

The chairman of the Wanganui Education Board (Mr E. F. Hemingway) wrote expressing his appreciation of the valuable work carried out by the committee on behalf of the children of the district. It had been a source of great pleasure to him on the occasion of his recent tour to find so much being done to make the schools and their surroundings brighter for the children. Mr Hemingway concluded by expressing the hope that the members would again seek office at the forthcoming election. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The headmaster reported: “The roll is 338. Owing to the prevalence of measles the average has been very low, viz., 265.7, 258, 256.4, 272.5. The wave now appears to have passed its peak and wo are looking forward to a rapid recovery in the attendance. Last month the school was visited by Misses Kennedy and Blackbourn, specialists from the Auckland Training College; the board’s architect (Mr Hodge), and representatives of the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. Prior to Easter I was notified that Mr Campbell (relieving) and Miss .Redin (probationary assistant) were to be withdrawn. As Mr Campbell was relieving in a grade 2 position, it would appear that we have now one teacher less than the number provided for in the Education Act. The dental enrolments total 67 to date.” The chairman pointed out that the school originally had four grade 2 teachers. One had been taken away to fill a relieving position and had not been replaced. Mr Jackson considered that the school was entitled to the additional teacher under the staffing regulations. Mr Hollier pointed out that the burden was falling on Mr Jackson as a probationary teacher could not take the class. It was decided to voice a protest against the withdrawal of a relieving Grade 2 teacher—without the position being immediately filled—to the detriment of the children and to the inconvenience of the teaching staff of the school. Mr Penketh later remarked that it was impossible for the headmaster to supervise the general activities of the classes if he were to be engaged in teaching 59 pupils. The chairman: That is really a matter for the Combined Schools Committees’ Association to protest against.

GENERAL. The draft annual report and bal-ance-sheet was presented by the secretary and at the conclusion of the reading of both Mr Schwabe congratulated Mr Hollier on the manner in which he had maintained the records of the school, and kept the books and accounts to the complete satisfaction of the committee and its auditor. Mr W. Schwabe was extended a motion of sympathy in tho loss Mrs Schwabe and himself had sustained in the death of the former’s brother, Mr J. H. Carter, of Napier. At the conclusion of the business the chairman took the opportunity to thank the members for their loyal cooperation during the year. Everyone, he said, had worked with remarkable enthusiasm for the good of the school, and they, could go forward to the annual election fully satisfied that they had proved worthy of their office. He sincerely hoped that one and all would re-offer their services and again earn the gratitude of the householders. Mr Tremaine also paid a tribute to the work which had been carried out by Mr Hollier as secretary and referred to the harmonious relations which had existed between the committee and Mr Jackson and the other members of the teaching staff. Mr Jackson, in turn, voiced his appreciation of tho happy relations which had always prevailed between the staff and committeemen, while Mr Hollier, in thanking the chairman for his kindly reference, mentioned that it was with sincere regret that he announced his Impending retirement. His position as secretary had given him considerable pleasure and it was all the more regretful that, largely through health reasons, he was being compelled to relinquish office just when the fruits of the committee’s labours were appearing. Mr Beattie also mentioned that he did not intend seeking office again, which led the chairman to x-eiterate his earlier remark that he hoped one and all would again offer their services and asked both Messrs Hollier and Beattie to reconsider their decisions. Mr Penketh joined with the chairman in hoping that Messrs Beattie and Hollier would reconsider the position. Mr Hogg commented upon the general apathy of the householders of the district, adding that few realised the work entailed. Mr Schwabe agreed with Mr Hogg, explaining that he had had five years in office and intended giving way to some other householder. A YEAR OF ACTIVITY. The report which has been drawn up for presentation at the annual meeting of householders of the West End School discloses a year of exceptional activity. The report reads, inter alia: “Tho committee, apart from its statutory duties, has for the past twelve months concentrated on the laying down of a new playing area comprising two acres. The area, when acquired by the board, was in an impossible condition for a playing ground and to effect tho necessary improvement was an undertaking of considerable magnitude. An idea of the size of the undertaking will be gathered from the fact that a gang of at least twenty men were engaged in levelling the section for several months. The undertaking would have been quite beyond the means of a school committee if it had not been for the existence of the No. 5 scheme labour, and in this direction the committee is deeply grateful to the city engineer and his staff who took over the work, utilising the No. 5 scheme under an arrangement whereby the committee’s liability was considerably less than it otherwise would have been. The work is now completed, the grass seed sown and by tho end of the present year the area should be available. This work, together with other ground improvements and routine work, lias proved a considerable drain on the finances, but once again the ladies’ committee has been equal to balancing the' budget. The committee, comprising Mesdames Seivert, Warner, Robertson, Speedy, Beattie, Seliwabe, Oliver, Connop and Mrs G. Tremaine (chairwoman), has been of splendid assistance and no vote of thanks could convey to them this committee’s appreciation of their cooperation. In spite of the economic times every venture undeitaken by the ladies’ committee has been a financial success, a testimonial to their business

methods and organisation. As usual, the most outstanding social function was the school ball, and we cannot allow the occasion to pass without recording our appreciation of the efforts of the headmaster (Mr H. W. Jackson) and his staff, together with the ladies’ committee for their efforts. “One of tlie pleasures of a school committee is in watching the advancement of its school, both scholastically and in the field of sport, and in this direction the present committee has not been disappointed. The standard has never been higher and West End is fortunate in having as its headmaster Mr Jackson and a staff with such evident capabilities. The finances, despite the heavy expenditure, are in a healthy state. Never in the history of the school have the grounds been in better condition; in fact, they are now quite a beauty spot. Mention of the grounds cannot pass without reference to the caretaker, Mr Stevenson, who has carried out all his duties in his customary efficient and courteous manner. The committee desires to record its appreciation of the services of the officials and members of the Education Board, Mr and Miss Owtram and Messrs A. and B. H. Just for donations of plants and shrubs and to tlie many other friends and supporters of-the .school; also Mr W. Hunter (.our honorary auditor), and the Press. A record painful to refer to is that of the death of the late Mr A. Bree, who was secretary to the Education Board. A most courteous, obliging and efficient official, his early death came as a sudden shock to a.ll and a great loss to the board and education generally.”