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Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7071, 2 February 1933, Page 8

Back to School

MARKED DECLINE IN ATTEND-

ANCES

All the State primary schools in the Wanganui Education Board’s area reopened yesterday, after their six weeks Christmas vacation. There has been a steady return of holiday-makers to the city during the past week, preparatory to the resumption of school, and as a consequence there was practically a full attendance of pupils for the opening of the schools yesterday. Inquiries made at the various schools in the city reveal the fact that in every instance the roll numbers are considerably below those at the commencement of 1932. This is atributed to the measures enforced by the Education Department which prevent children under six years of age from attending school. The heavy withdrawals of successful proficiency candidates has also contributed ’to the lower figures. It is anticipated, however, that the enrolments will be increased somewhat by the end of the week. The attendance at the Central school was 657, out of a total roll of 731. The new admissions to the school totalled 40, compared with 90 last year. Miss B. L. Beard will act as relieving assistant teacher pending the appointment of a successor to Mr. Edwards, who has been transferred to Wanganui. Misses F, M. Louisson and K. Park have been appointed as relieving probationary assistants for the first term. At West End the roll was 339, which represents a decrease of approximately 20 as compared with last year. The only addition to the staff is that of Miss V. Clapham as a relieving teacher. The new pupils admitted to College street numbered 21, which is consideiably less than usual. Miss G. D. McDiarmid, from Hawke’s Bay, has joined the staff as a permanent assistant, while Misses C. M. Laurenson and G. Mclntosh have been appointed as relieving teachers for the first term under the board’s rationing scheme. The same position in regard to fewer admissions also obtained at I-lokowliitu, where there were 20 admissions to the 'school compared with 30 withdrawals from the sixth standard at the end of last year. Miss Z. Hcatley has been appointed as relieving teacher at the school. The decrease in the school Toll was particularly marked at Terrace End, where only 20 pupils had enrolled, showing a decline of 50 on the admissions for 1932. The relieving teachers are Misses P. M. Hastings and V. E. Smith. . At Bussell street, the newest school in the city, the roll is smaller to the extent of 20 proficiency pupils, who finished their term at the school . las, year Miss R. Murdoch is the rationed teacher for the first term, while Miss R. Lancaster is to join the staff temporarily in place of Miss D. Burnson, who relinquishes her duties at the school on Friday next.