OAMARU SOUTH SCHOOL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12822, 14 April 1916, Page 6

OAMARU SOUTH SCHOOL.

The following i» tbe report »t tht South School Committee for premutation to tin- meeting <>» householders on » Mondav evening:— "The Committee have great pleasure *s' in .«presoiiting . for. your consideration <~ thc*-?aqnaals rfaptwt of the School for ■ Jots." The vcar marks an epoch in the known. Mr Aldred, who was connected - with the School for Some 11 years, retired on superannuation at the clOot* •of the Tear, and the Committee would. take this opportunity of placing on record their appreciation of' the excel- • lent work done by Mr Aldred during his somewhat lengthy, term of service, and would express the hope that he be . long spared to enjoy his well-earned rest. Mr Aldred's successor, Mr \Vm. M'Laren. who came to us with a reUuUtion, has already shown that he is possessed of qualifications that fit lnm forthe position of headmaster, and the Committer have every confidence that the School will prosper under the new regime. Mr Watson is still on i active service, and Mr Tempera is proving an efficient substitute. "During the year Miss Roseveare - severed hur comicction with the School, having completed her term of apprenticeship. , ''The increase in attendance at the end of the vear entitled the School to an extra assistant as well as an ad- ■ ditional probationer, and the Committee were fortunate in securing as junior assistant Miss Beattie, who is assisting Miss. M 'Naught in the primary department. In January of this year 'Slis-s Robertson and Miss Moscrop took - up their duties as proltationers. "It is pleasing.- too. to be able to report that the attendance has Ixwij good througliout the year. The roll number and the average attendance tor the respective quarters were as follow: June. I!HS, roll 347. average attendance' 317; September, roll 342. average 331: December, roll 3«0, average 332; March, l»l«. roll 361, average 33". As regular attendance means increased efficiency. the Committee would impress upon parents the necessity of assisting the teachers in securing ' regularity of attendance. '"The report of Inspectors C. R. Jtichardson and J. Roliertson. who examined the School in Sep.temlier. was a most crcditable one. and goes to show that the teachers have done conscientious work during the year. Lyall H. Sumpter. who gained his proficiency certificate at the end of 1915. distinguished himself by topping the list for Otago in the Junior Scholarship Examination ami also by taking first place among the Ik>v> in the Scott Memorial Kssay Competition. "Tlie Committee think it only fair to make reference to the keen inleresl taken by the teachers generally in outdoor work, many of the pupils being successful in competitions both at the tGarden Fete and tile Flower Show. "The cricket team at present holds the banner, and so far has not lost a game this season.' Both hovs and girls excelled themselves at the Primary Schools* Swimming Carnival held at the end of March, and as a result the School is the first to have the honor of having its name engraved on the handsome shield presented by the Oamaru Amateur Swimming Club for competition among the primary schools. The_ Committee would take this opportunity of congratulating the individual members of the staff on the success of the pupils both in and out of school. "The Fife and Drum Band, which was organised during the year, is making rapid strides, and is proving a valuable adjunct to the School, the su<- * cess of the girls of the upper school in their drill and exercises being in great HM-asiirc due to the assistance given them by the Hand. The school is indebted to Mr Tempero for th« special attention he has jnven in the instruction of the Fife and Drum Band. '"The girls of the School, under the direction of their respective lady teachers, have worked diligently in making up articles of various kinds- for thi> soldiers. Service bags, housewives, tea towels. Tace cloths and handkerchiefs (some one thousand articles in all) have licen made up from material provided bv parents and Committee.

"The thanks of the Committee arc due to Rev". .1. 1.. Robinson ami Adjutant Dairkins. who have taken Bible lessons regularly during the year. "Tin* Committee, as in years past. arc greatly indebted to parents ami others who so g-'iierou'-iy contributed to the prize fuml. "The Srlio<:l is well represented at the front, the Roll of Honor, which was instituted early in the year, now containing the names of si) ex-pupils who nave seen fit to respond to their country's call, ami some of whom. alas. liari» made the supreme sacrifice. "The Commit tee started the year with a credit balance of £sl 2s ««l. The receipts from all sources amounted to £l3l los 2d, and the cx|*ciidiuirc to .£l3O !*s Sfl. leaving a credit balance of .£52 .*. Id. "During the year 13 meetings of Commit lee were held. The attendance at these was most satisfactory, thus showing the intercut taken hy members, iu the welfare of the School."