West End School

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 81, 6 April 1939, Page 6

West End School

MEETING OF COMMITTEE Mr. G. Tremaine presided at the monthly meeting of the West End School Committee last evening. Others present were Messrs. A. C. McLean, W. Collins, J. Dalziel and H. Rough. The headmaster, Mr. H. W. Jackson, reported that the roll number was 414, with an average attendance of 37G.2. A number of children had been absent with influenza. The swimming season was now practically at an end as far as tho school children were concerned. Regular instruction was given during the warm weather, with the result that 72 children were taught to swim. In the distance swimming two qualified for the merit certificate (BSO yards), 24 for the proficiency, and 18 for the learners’ certificates. Tho life-saving examination was held last month, when 47 qualified for certificates. Tho school had been visited by Messrs. Boden and Crosbie (inspectors), Miss E. Lowrie (adviser to infant departments) and the school nurse, Nurse Cox. With reference to the supply of pictures to the school, Mr. Jackson recommended that £2O be expended during the next two years, suitable pictures being purchased as the opportunity occurred. A more pressing need was that of procuring a percussion band for the infant department. This would involve an outlay of about £7. The instruments were durable and should last some years. Nearly £4O worth of books had been purchased for the library. These were at present being catalogued and would be ready as soon as the new room was fitted up.

It was decided to forward a letter to Mr. A. Fcnketh expressing the hope his convalescence and the hope that ho that he would be able to resume his position on the committee before long, after his convalescence.

The secretary of the Wanganui Education Board wrote that the board had not been advised that it might take possession of tho additional area which it was proposed should be added to the school site. He was in communication with the Education Department, asking when the area could be taken over and also asking approval to the employment of men under scheme No. 13 for the purposes of levelling. The Wanganui Education Board also advised that to assist committees in arranging their financial commitments the board had decided to make a tentative distribution of supplementary incidental grants. Tho board would not receive definite advice of the amount of its grant until Parliament had passed the estimates and it therefore wished committees to understand that the grant w.ould perhaps be subject to adjustments later in the year. The supplementary grant allotted to the committee for the year ending December 3, 1939, was £llO, *and payment for the period January 1 to March 31 was being added to the instalment of ordinary incidental allowance due on March 31. The balanep would be paid in monthly instalments thereafter. The Longburn School Committee expressed thanks for allowing children from Longburn to use the swimming baths, which was much appreciated, as they made great headway and enjoyed it very much.

It was decided to make an application to the Wanganui Education Board for adequate provision for housing bicycles at the school.

It was decided to authorise the headmaster to purchase the instruments necessary for a percussion band, and also to spend a further £SO on books for the library. Messrs. A. W. Just and A. Penketh were appointed a visiting committee.