HOKOWHITU SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 15 September 1936, Page 5

HOKOWHITU SCHOOL

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. The Hokowhitu School Committee met last evening. Those present were Messrs H. W. Cox, S. F. Collier, G. H. Melville, J. Larsen, P. Crowther, J. H. McKenzie, R. Olds, W. E. Cooper (secretary) and C. Haydon (actmg-headniaster). In the absence of the chairman. Mr H. Shields, who is at present in Otaki, Mr Cox was elected to that position. The acting-headmaster’s report, which was adopted, was as follows:—“The -roll stands at 322, the average for the month being 321.7 with an average attendance of 291.5. Dr. E. Gunn, the medical officer, visited the school oil August 18 and 19 to examine the pupils of the lower forms. At the end of the term, Mr M. F. Henry and Mr Thrush both left to take up new duties elsewhere and on the resumption after the holidays the following new teachers were added to the staff: —Mrs E. M. Martin (relieving assistant in Mr Henry’s place), Mr B. Kendrick (replacing Mr Thrush) and All's F. Burson (who is assisting in the preparatory division), while Miss E. Duncalf (infant teacher in charge of Primers 3 and 4) is absent on sick leave. The school has again been classified excellent for general efficiency for this year, and a letter of commendation from the Education Board has been received. I have to acknowledge a donation of wellpaper samples from Messrs Alexander Clark, Ltd. These are very much appreciated and should prove to be of valuable assistance in the lower forms.” The report was adopted. It was decided to forward a letter of appreciation to Messrs Henry and Thrush for the work they had done. It was also decided to forward letters of thanks to the donors of gifts to the school.

Several members of the committee commented warmly on the standard set by the school in‘being classed as excellent for two years in succession. A motion congratulating the headmaster was passed. The Wanganui Education Board advised that nothing further had been heard from the Education Department or the Minister of Education in connection with the application for a grant to rebuild the wall which was destroyed at the baths in the storm early in the current year. The matter was again being taken up with the Minister.—The letter was received. The Education Board advised particulars of the availability of a grant of £3 toward the installation of radio in schools.—Received.

Mr M. F. Henry forwarded his formal resignation from the school’s staff. He stated, in a covering letter, that the action caused liim regret which even the thought of promotion could not eradicate. In his six years’ association with the school ho had enjoyed himself to the utmost in the spacious and well-kept grounds, beautiful baths and healthy schoolrooms, and especially among the children, of whom the committee could feel justifiably proud, when their bearing, manners and general behaviour were considered.—Received.

It was decided to hold the school gala day in December. On the motion of Messrs Olds and Collier, it was decided to cease holding the regular community sings, it being the general opinion of the members that the season for such gatherings was at a close. Mr Collier advised that a movement was on foot for the re-formation of the tennis club, and there had been promises from 16 players that they would become members. He moved that the prospective members be granted the use- of a room in the school this week and that if the club is formed it be allowed to use the tennis courts before and after school hours at a rental of £lO. The motion was carried, Mr Cooper being the seconder. Air Cooper said he had been approached for the use of a room in the school on one night this week by several persons interested in the formation of a howling club. He understood that a green was to be laid down if possible in the Domnin.—Permission was also granted for these persons’i > use a room in the school one night this week. On the motion of Mr Collier, Messrs Cox, Melville and Cooper were appointed an executive committee to deal with any matters of urgency (such as granting permission for the use of rooms) not involving finance. Messrs Cox. McKenzie and Collier were appointed a baths committee. At the suggestion of the secretary it was decided to hold over the opening date for the baths until advice was to hand in connection with the re-erection of the fallen wall. Several minor matters were reported on by M* Crowther on behalf of the visiting committee, the report being received.