RUSSELL ST. SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 111, 11 April 1936, Page 12

RUSSELL ST. SCHOOL

OVERCROWDING IN PRIMERS. The final meeting of the Russell Street School Committee before the house-holders’ meeting was held on Wednesday, Air J. A. Grant presiding. Also present were Alessrs G. ‘Coppell, C. S. Trask, AI. J. AlcArtney and F. W. Coombs. The headmaster (Air F. C. Campbell) reported that the present roll number was 255. The .school had been successful ■in reaching the requisite figure to place it in grade VA. The attendance of the pupils had been excellent. For the present week the attendance? had been 243, 248 and 247 j respectively. During the month representatives of the V. AI. C. A. had addressed the pupils and the Palmerston North Fire Brigade superintendent (AIr«P. A. Alilverton) had spoken to them in connection with Fire Prevention AVeek. On the occasion of his visit fire drill had been carried out, tlie school being emptied in under a jiinute. The-usual service would be field at the school on Anza.c Day. “As t-lus is the final meeting of the present committee, I desire on behalf of myself and the staff to express our deep appreciation of the assistance at all times given in furthering the interests of the school. The staff you will find always ready to give you its wholehearted co -operation,” stated Air Campbell.} The chairman had I Ten in attendance at the school that day as a visiting committee. It was decided that Air Campbell endeavour to arrange for a speaker fo’- the Anzac Sm-vice. Air Campbell again brought up the question of the serious* overcrowding in the primer classes. The matter ot seating the infants was becoming alarming, he said, some of the pupils actually having to sit on the floor * Air Grant also expressed dissatisfaction with the existing concl'tions. He was very concerned, he said, because the overcrowding was taking place m classes where the pupils' were at the agh when they needed to work turner the best conditions possible. The headmaster also pointed out that he could- not take in any more infants, ns in one ease there were 80 children under the charge of one teacher already., and yet until a further 30 pupils were on the roll they would be unable to obtain another teacher. ‘ ~ „, _ , “It is quite evident,” said Air Trask, “that more accommodation is needed.”

Dr Elizabeth Gunn, said’Air Campbell, had sent in an adverse report on the existing conditions after her recent inspection of tlie school, 'but nothing han been done. “It is certain,” he said, “that if a remedy is not forthcoming I will he turning pupils away from tlie school.” In reply to* a question from AllGrant as to whether or not all the available space was being used in the building. Air Campbell stated that there was not a square inch that was not being turned to good purpu *. Members expressed the opinion that the only thing to he done, was tir press the' matter and keep the requirements of the school constantly before the AVanganui Education Board. This course was decided on.