SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

WEST END SCHOOL. PROGRESS SURVEYED. At the meeting of householders at the YVest End School, oil Monday, there was an attendance of 12. Air G. Tremaine presided. in his report • the chairman stated that the roll number had risen in tho last two years from 4U(J to 478, mainly due to the erection of Slate houses in the vicinity. Although an extra, classroom had been provided, it was evident that additional accommodation would soon be required, notwithstanding the loss of the two senior classes. It was apparent that the grading of the school would be maintained next year, though there would be a loss of sub-grade. The baths had proved a valuable asset and almost every pupil could swim. Notice had been received last year that approximately two acres located behind the school and running to Park Road would be added to the school grounds, but so far no definite arrangements had been made by the board for handing over the area to the committee. The board had been requested to complete the negotiations as soon as possible, so that application could be made Jor the levelling, drainage and grassing of the area as an additional praying ground. In the inter-school competitions in football, basketball and baseball YVest End children had worthily upheld their reputation. The report recorded with deep regret the deaths of Air A. Penkelh, one of the oldest and most generous supporters of tho school, who served the committee in various offices for 18 years, and Airs C. H. YVhiteliead, previously head of the ladies’ committee, who had been active in raising funds. The '■finances were in a healthy- state. During 193 S the ladies line! raised £56 12s 5d and last year £lls 10s 4d. YVhcn the committee was elected £174 15s Id was in hand, and in February, 1940, the amount was £l7O 3s 9dj Oil April 21 the sum of £162 5s lid was in hand. The chairman concluded by expressing appreciation of the work of the headmaster, staff, and all who had assisted the school. As tlie nominations for the committee did not exceed the vacancies, the following were declared elected: Alessrs G. Tremaine, J. H. Dalziel, YY. Collins, H. AI. Rough, A. E. Penfold, A. YV. Just (previous mcmliers), R. I. Hands, N. H. Hume, E. R. Humphries. Y’otes of thanks were passed to the chairman, headmaster (Air H. YY. Jackson) and staff, ladies’ committee, secretary-treasurer. Air A. C. McLean (who has acted as AI.C. at many school functions) and to those members not seeking re-election. At a meeting of the new committee which followed, Air Tremaine was unanimously re-elected chairman and Mr Rough secretary-treasurer. Other officers were appointed as follow: Representatives on Manawatu-Oroua School Committees’ Association, Messrs Penfold and Just; representative on Dental Clinic Committee, Air A. A. Langley; baths committee, Messrs Penfold, Hands, Hume and Dalziel; visiting committee. Alessrs Just and Rough. The chairman reported that efforts to have central heating installed in the school were being renewed. As ail alternative the committee had suggested to the Education Board that cabinet gas-lieatcrs l>e provided.

LONGBURN SCHOOL. EXCELLENT PROGRESS. There was a very .small attendance at the householders' meeting at the Longbum School, over which Mr J. Oalloscn presided. The following committee was elected: Messrs Callesen, (chairman), C. E. Lee (secretary), F. (i. Brown (treasurer), J. C. Mahoney and C. Palmer. In the course of his report Mr Callesen stated that the term began with the loss of the headmaster (Mr J. C. Hall) and the infant mistress (Miss M. Milieu). A relieving headmaster and infant mistress carried on the work until June, Mr Barhain then taking charge. Frequent changes of staff had not been in the interest of progress. Low proficiency results and adverse criticism from the inspectors gave the committee considerable anxiety, but since Mr Barham took over the school had experienced a period of progress which had met with the hearty approval of both committee- and parents. At the commencement of assuming control he stressed the importance of sport in laying a solid foundation for health. This, together with regular periods of physical drill, had worked ivonders with the physical fitness of the children. " "Twice during the last two years the school has taken part in inter-school sports and, besides appropriating many trophies, came close to highest honours. Many matches with the schools have taken place with varying success, but it is suggested that, to conserve petrol, these matches be discontinued for the present," said the report. "The importance of teaching children to swim was stressed by Mr Barham, and arrangements were made to convey the children to "West End each summer with good success. The West End commitlec have our grateful thanks for their" courteous help. However, we have in hand a scheme to mstal our own bath, and already some £2-1 has been promised or collected. Depending on what subsidy can be got, at least another £SO will possibly be required before this project can ho accomplished. Parents can further this splendid project by subscribing 10s per child surely a cheap method and well worth while "Trips of inspection were made at intervals to the freezing works, butter factory, Ohakea, the Exhibition and other places in an endeavour to increase knowledge. Perhaps one of the best moves wc have made was the purchase of a projector, and I am sure parents will agree that any child getting this visual education lor a period of years will have a wide variety of knowledge. However, parents must realise that money is required for upkeep and hire of films. Another forward move was the purchase of a gramophone and radio receiver. "Ponces ami grounds have been put into first-class order. Native trees have been planted and are doing well, and soon should enhance the beauty of the grounds. This year the school earned an environment certificate —the first for some years. The playgrounds have been kept grazed close with sheep. Through Mr Bee's ability and help some £ls has been added to the funds through this means. Unfortunately, the playground is much too small; the girls have no playground p«fc all except the tenuis court. The present high-class order of the school and grounds has not been achieved without a great deal of work, but the retiring committee feel that the effort was worth while. "Mr Parham ami his staff have loyally done their duty. The complimentary reports of the inspectors emphasise the progress we have noted, and I hope the present staff will remain with us. Unfortunately, Mr Barham has been very unwell, but 1 trust will

soon he restored to health. I wish to thunk the retiring committee for their loyal help during the past two years ; Air and Mrs N. Cruden for the splendid help they ' have given us in raising money; and Alessrs Goldfinch and Cousins for selling tickets. AVe commend the children's enthusiasm with their concert and all others who have helped us.” BUNNYTHORPE SCHOOL. At the annual meeting of householders in the school, Bunnythorpe, Mr F. A. McKenzie presided and gave a report on the activities of the committee during the past two years, also making fitting reference to tho late Rt. lion. M. J. Savage. The committee had been occupied in maintaining the school grounds in good order rather than in undertaking any new work. The maintenance of tlie grounds continued to lie a source of concern as their area and lay-out were more suitable for a school of much larger attendance and consequently of much greater capitation. The funds did not permit tho. expenditure necessary to keep the grounds and lawns in the order the committee would like. Consequently the unfortunate position had arisen that for years the senior pupils had to undertake lawn mowing which was beyond their strength and which was unfair lo expect of them. The headmaster (Mr Abraham) had quite rightly, become restive under this imposition, which had actually become worse since tho lawns wore drained and top-dressed. The recently levelled football field, the horse paddock and the playing area behind tlie school also presented considerable problems in keeping down the growth of grass. An arrangement had been entered into on a year’s trial to keep tliis area grazed. The. committee had been considering the possibility of fencing off tlie lawn on the north-west side of the school, together with the playing area behind the school, from the shrubberies and school buildings to make it possible to graze those areas also with sheep. An alternative that; had been suggested was tlie purchase of a motor lawn-mower. The committee had given some thought to tho provision of baths. A new and cheap type of swimming hath had been evolved, which could bo erected quite quickly, and toward which the Education Department was prepared to give a subsidy. Tho balancesheet as at February 28 showed a healthy credit, there being £29 14s lOd in the general account, and £ll 7s 3d in the special account. During the past two years there had been (ho most happy relations and cordial co-operation between the committee and the teaching staff. Two of the members of tlie old committee, Mr Alnxwell (a former chairman) and Air Jackson (tho secretary) both of whom had given many years of service to tho school, were unable further to offer their services, and Air McKenzie extended to them the districts’ grateful thanks for their work and best wishes for the future.-110 also thanked all others who had helped the school. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. Thanks were accorded Messrs .T. Scheldt and G. Galop, who provided apples for the children on their trip to the Exhibition. Thanks were also accorded the outgoing committee and Air Abraham and his staff. A-Ir Abraham referred to the good fooling existing between the staff and committee, also to the school banking fund, there being 50 pupils with accounts and the funds totalled about £125. The following committee was elected: Alessrs F. A. AlcKenzie (chairman), W. Ranson (secretary), T. Eggleton, C. YV. YY’hite, 11. Harries, YY r . Stevens and T. Pascoc.

IIONGOTEA SCHOOL. The Rongotca householders’ meeting was well attended. Air YV. J. Amies was in 11m chair, and made reference to the death of the late Prime Alinister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage). An apology for absence was received from Air 11. N. Rowe (secretary). Tho chairman gave a detailed report on the committee's activities during the past | two years, detailing also staff changes. In 1938 an Old Pupils’ and Parents’ Association was formed and lias at present 33 members. The association's activities havn been mainly connected with the raising of funds for public baths, and so far £356 has been raised. During the period £l7 Is 7d was spent oil tho school library. The finances were in a healthy condition, tho general account showing a credit balance of £l2, and the special account £79. The headmaster (.Ylr YV. A. Churchill) read his report, which stated that the past year had proved quite a satisfactory one. “I regret to report that Miss M. M. Thompson, who has been on the staff for four years, will bo leaving shortly, having received promotion. The roll number at present stands at 82, so that tho school is very close to losing a teacher. Once again an environment certificate has been awarded by tlie Education Board. It has been of considerable assistance that the committee made arrangements for the mowing of the lawns to be done by paid labour, as the task was becoming altogether too much for tho pupils. It is gratifying to report that parents arc realising the value of the work of the dental clinic, this year 24 pupils having enrolled. The visit of the school doctor each year reveals that the great majority of defects arc denial.” A vote of thanks to tlie committee, head teacher and staff was carried. There were seven nominations for the committee, and on a vote being taken the former committeemen were re-elected —Messrs YV. J. Amies, H. N. Rowe, A. Hill, L. Simonson and C. Lind. Mr Amies expressed thanks on behalf of himself and his fellow members. On the proposal of Air G. A. YVenborn, it was decided to communicate with the Manawatu County Council asking to have tho light at the school entrance retained. The matter of providing milk for pupils was discussed, but owing to. diflicul* tics created by the war it was decided not to press the matter. At a subsequent meetin"- of the committee Mr Amies was reelected chairman and Air Rowe treasurer. Delegates to the Manawatu-Oroua School Committees’ Association are Alessrs Rowe and Amies. Air Amies has occupied the position of chairman of the committee lor 16 years in succession.

BULLS DISTRICT SCHOOLS. At Bulls there was a moderate attendance, and the following were appointed: Messrs F. G. Jurgens (chairman), IX. H. Amos (treasurer), L. Vile (secretary), ,\V. A. Sutherland, F. Read, T. Thomas and D. AI. O’Connell. . At Parewanui (ho meeting lapsed for want of a quorum, and another meeting will he held next month. At Glyneath Messrs T .YV. Field and L. ,T. Anion act as commissioners appointed by the YY r anganui Education Board. OTAKI. The new Otaki School Committee consists of Dr Francis, Airs Wellington, Rev. Ylr Tamuera, Messrs H. B. Edhouso, L. G. Gimblett, G. Aloffatt, 11. Taylor and 11. Nicolson (all re-elected), and YV. YVilso'n. Dr Francis has been elected chairman, Air Aloffatt secretary, and Air Taylor treasurer.