MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 April 1939, Page 8

MOTUEKA

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SPORTS’ SHIELD PRESENTED BY ATHLETIC CLUB I I r >m U‘l> Own Correspondent I The monthly meeting of Ihe Committee of the Motueka District High School, held last evening, was attend led by Messrs A. L. Vickerman (chairman*. A. Weir. D. Muir. R. Richmond Murray. E. A. Jackson. W. M. Thomas and Mrs G. James. The Education Board advised that Mr W. H. Bryant would relieve as additional assistant in the secondary department of the Motueka School a; from Monday. 27th March. The Education Board also wrote stating that, as no valid objection had been received from the committee, the appointment of Miss E. L. Kelling to the position of assistant mistress on the stafT of the Motueka school had beer: confirmed. The Education Board recommended Miss Elva M. Wells for appointment tc the position of infant mistress at the ' Motueka school, and stated that if no valid objection was received from the committee Miss Wells’ appointment j would be confirmed, duties to commence at the beginning of next term. Monday, 22nd May. i Accounts amounting to £32 9s 9ti ; were presented and passed for pay- ! ment. I It was decided (Mr Thomas and Mrs Janies) that the recently acquired Arts Shields be insured for the sum of £ls. The secretary was instructed to write to the Motueka Amateur Athletic Club expressing the committee’s appreciation of the club’s generosity in presenting the Sports Shield to the Motueka School. The chairman informed the meeting that the shields were valued at approximately £2O, and that they would be mounted in a dust proof case, which was being prepared by Mr G. Stout, woodwork instructor. The chairman stated that the headmaster had informed him that the teaching staff was prepared to co-opcr-ate with the committee in raising funds to build up the Special Account. Messrs W. M. Thomas and R. L. Freeman were appointed as a sub-committee to confer with the teaching staff in respect to this matter. Mr Thomas stated thart one of the visiting athletes at the Easter Sports, who had had considerable experience in the large centres, had passed favourable comment on the pleasing appearance of the school pupils competing on Easter Monday. They were all attired in uniform dress (school colours), where was not often seen even in the large towns. The chairman stated that it was gratifying to the school to receive such favourable comments especially from visitors. At the request of the committee at its last meeting the headmaster, Mr V. Evans, furnished a report on the financial and statistical position in respect to Dental Clinic fees. In the course of a discussion on the matter the chairman stressed the need for all fees to be met by parents, otherwise any deficiency would become a charge on the school’s special account, which had already been badly depleted. HEADMASTER’S REPORT The headmaster, Mr Vryn Evans, presented the following report, for the period Ist March to 12th April: “The present roll is 382 of which 270 are in the main school, 89 in the High School and 2f!T at Hau.

The increased numbers in the High School—92 on Ist March—warranted the appointment of an additional assistant. Pending the appointment of a permament teacher, Mr W. H. Bryant, M.A. is at present relieving. The Department having approved the appointment Mrs W. M. Thomas has taken over the classes formerly conducted by Miss Valentine.

Swimming: During the past month the Inter-House Swimming Sports were held and proved a great success. Entries were, if anything, higher than those of last year and some good races resulted. It is a pity that the House points were rather one-sided Tainui securing 138 and Arawa 45. Tests for swimming certificates were carried out and. as a result. 55 pupils have qualified for swimming certificates: 1 mile, six: 88U yards, six; 220 yards, 16: 50 yards, 23; learners, four. A team of boys preparing for life-saving examinations is to be examined towards the end of the week. Inter-school Games: On 18th March the tennis and cricket teams visited Takaka District High School. Honours were with the Takaka pupils, who secured wins by a large margin in tennis and by a narrower margin in cricket. We thank Mr Barr and the staff and pupils of Takaka District High School for their lavish entertainment and enjoyable games. The Home and Away cricket match against Nelson College fourth eleven was played in Nelson on 30th March ; and resulted in a draw. To Mr Searle. I : his staff and the boys of Nelson Col-i lege we express our thanks for a most 'enjoyable day. In this respect 1 wish | to place on record my thanks to Messrs j Vickerman and Nightingale for placing ■ their cars gratuitously at the disposal of the boys. A small charge enabled the expenses of the Takaka visit to be j paid off. j Mr Paul Schramm visited the school on 6th March and gave the pupils a I very fine recital. He is the best visitI ing musician we have had and he was i particularly good in his approach to the 1 children. ; Inter-House Shields: The Sports and Arts Shields for inter-house competition are now completed and will be placed in a special case in the High School. The woodwork was carried out j by Mr G. J. Stout and the metal work | by Louis Kerr. Ltd. The craftsmanship is of a very high order and the school has obtained a very fine asset. A suggest that these shields be insured for a sum of not less than £ 15. The Sports Shield is being presented by the Motueka Amateur Athletic Club and I am very grateful to the club for this generous donation. All required now is that some public-spirited body or individual presents the Arts’ Shield to the school. Easter Athletic Meeting: The school was well represented at the athletic meeting on Easter Monday. Thirty-nine children entered for the various events and keen competition resulted. The appearance and bearing of the children were the subject of favourable comi ment. Dental Fees: As requested by the committee, I have prepared a report on

1 the position of dental fees, which J am presenting separately. I The Department has approved the use of the Masonic Hall so that overI crowding has been reduced considerI ably. The Church of Christ authorities were , granted the use of portions of the | buildings during Easter. The rooms j were left in excellent condition. Members of the school are quite ! willing to co-operate with the committee in discussing ways and means o! building up the special fund. I suggest that a sub-committee consisting of two from the committee, two from the staff and two from the prefects be set up and report to the next meeting of the committee.