Central School

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 2

Central School

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING “The work of the school continues to be carried on under very pleasant conditions,” states Mr W. G. Black, chair man of Central Hchool Committee, in the report to be presented to householders at to-night’s meeting. “With congenial outside environment and thoroughly up-to-date class-rooms, excellent conditions xjrcvail f or facilitating a high standard of work. The school renders excellent service to the community by fundamental educational work of the soundest nature. For the last five years the school has been graded excellent for general efficiency, order, discipline and tone, and an environment certificate has been awarded for the last seven years. “Roll: With the change in the staffing of schools on the average roll number for the first four weeks of the last term of the year, the school has been graded “7 H,” entitling it to a staff of 16 assistants and 2 probationary assistants.

“Health: The general health of*the children has been very good, and this result may be attributed to the hygienic conditions of the buildings, to the able work done by the school medical officer and the school nurse, and to the excellent service being rendered by the dental clinic. It is expected that in the very near future we shall have a dental clinic established on the school site.

“Apparatus and Equipment: During the period under review, efforts have been made to maintain the appointments of the school at modern standards. Towards this end regular attention has been given to library provisions, science equipment and supplies of modern infant materials. It is hoped that the incoming committee can consider the installation this year of moving and talking picture apparatus to provide visual education. “Sports Activities: Excellent service is given by all members of the staff in the several branches of sport and thus the physical side of the school life is well catered for. The school teams have taken active part in inter-school cricket, football, baseball and basketball with success. Besides tho interschools competition the school is divided into four houses for sport and th •" system has functioned well and catered for a maximum number of children. Swimming and life-saving too have received careful attendance.

“School Grounds: The general layout of the grounds as originaly planned is completed, and whilst forming a splendid environment for the children, gives the greatest available space for playing areas. The committee’s efforts to enlarge the grounds have been successful, as the Education Board advised on January 20 that the last issue of the N. Z. Gazette contained a proclamation that three sections of land belonging to owners adjoining the school had been vested in the Education Board as a school site as from January 24, 1938. It was desired, however, that we should not occupy the land until the question of compensation had been settled. “Milk Scheme: The provision of free milk for pupils has been successfully inaugurated and great commendation must be given to the milk committee for the general arrangements for distribution, the regularity of supply, the quality of the milk and the care shown in handling. The pupils look forward to the supply of milk and it is pleasing to report that approximately 95 per cent of the children in the school are accepting their daily ration, and eagerly look forward to it.

“Baths: Owing to the adverse conditions created by the infantile paralysis epidemic last year, the baths wero closed for the greater part of the swimming season, the gross revenue amounting to only £35 I3s lOd. This year, however, the baths have proved very popular. Although your committee substantially reduced admission charges

for school children, the revenue for the season (£7l 4s 2d) shows that the attendance was a record. For the two years under review the revenue was £lO6 18s, and the expenditure on repairs and maintenance was £66 Cs 4d. For the previous two years, revenue was £l9B 11s 6d and maintenance £42 3s 2d, showing a net surplus of £156 8s 4d as compared with £4O 11s 8d for the past two years. In this coming year your committee will be faced with extraordinary expenditure in renovating the creto floor of the baths which at present is in a \ery unsatisfactory condition* The sum of £75 included in the credit balance shown in the accounts has been set aside for this purpose.

“Finance: The balance-sheet and statement of accounts will show a total net revenue of £1245 2s 2d, against an expenditure of £llsl 4s 4d. (The previous two years’ figures were £1093 2s Id revenue and £llO3 13s 9d expenditure.) The excess of revenue £93 17s lOd) over expenditure, added to the cash balance of £l3 7» 5d brought forward from the previous accounts on February 28, 193 d, leaves a credit cash, balance of £lO7 5s 3d at the close of this two-year period. As required by the Education Board, a separate statement is attached to the accounts covering the period from March 1, 1938, to April 12, 1938, which show's a cash balance of £lOl 10s 7d at the date the retiring committee went out of office. Your committee has met the whole of its obligations and all accounts incurred to the date of this report have been paid in full. In view of the work carried out by your committee the financial result can be considered very satisfactory. Of the total net revenue of £1245 2s 2d the sum of £B9l 10s Od came from the Wanganui Education Board, and the balance of £353 12s 2d was raised by voluntary effort. Maintenance expenses and cost of ground improvements und school equipment have increased somewhat by comparison with the previous two year period, and without the substantial increase iu capitation from the Education Department, your committee would have had, to raise a much larger sum by voluntary effort, or alternately neglected attention to school maintenance and improvements. Whereas the capitation grants prior to February, 1936, did not exceed £252 per annum, they increased to £397 for year ending February, 1937, and to £4BG 10s for the year just ended. On the figures shown in the account! for the past year, it is possible to maintain in reasonable condition the school buildings and grounds out of departmental capitation and grants. Bath* maintenance, improvements to grounds, entertainment functions and sports equipment w r ill still have to be provided by voluntary effort. “Thanks.—Your committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the untiring and valuable services of the headmaster, Mr. E. Bary, and the whole of his staff. A very high standard of efficiency has been maintained throughout the school, and much valuable assistance has been rendered by them to our efforts for school purposes. To tho ladies’ committee, with Mrs. Evans as chairman, and Mrs. Jarrett as secretary, your committee and I am sure all the householders are deeply grateful* On their shoulders has faJlen the burden of raising the bulk of the revenue derived from our various social function* which brought in over £2OO during tho past two years.”

The report thanks all others who ha\€l assisted the school and the committee. “It is a matter of keen regret that several members of the retiring committee are not seeking re-election, M Mr. Black concludes. “In particular do I wish to refer to Mr. W. Garden, who has been a committeeman for seven years, and who has rendered much valuable service to the school, and has been very helpful to me at all times. His loss will be keenly felt by all. My thanks are also extended to the treasurer, Mr. W. Fitzgerald, for his administration of the school finances, and to Mr. G. Farrar for his work as secro-