SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16668, 13 April 1916, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS

The following are the principal clauses in the annual reports of the under-men-tioned school committees:— ARTHUR STREET. The past year has been equal in all respects to that- high standard which this school has attained In past years. We were pleased -to be able to again congratulate tho staff on the inspectors' report for the year. The school won the cup for the premier football team, and) in swimming the championships, both for boys and girls, were won by our scholars. The school band is still receiving special instruction, and its services have been appreciated on several occasions. It has been decided to procure new uniforms as soon as possible,, but the time was not considered opportune for making the effort to raise the necessary funds. The health of -the scholars has been good throughout the year, there having- been no epidemics to affect the attendance, while every precaution was, and, is being, taken to prevent anything of that kind happening. Owing to the increased attendance, the school has now been placed in the highest grade. Mr Duncan Wright completed 20 years' continuous Bible teaching, and the attendance last year was the highest on record: The interest and! attention were both very good. A great many articles have been made by our scholars and sent as comforts to our soldiers at the front, and this work is still being continued. Names are still being collected for a roll of honour. The Chapman Memorial Fund Committee again provided the dlux gold medals and a scholarship of £5 for one year. The income for the year was £153 7s 8d and the v expenditure £134 18s 6d, leaving a credit of £18 9s 2d, which, added to the credit balance in hand at the beginning of the year, leaves a credit of £41 3s Id.

WAKARI. Tho year 1915 commenced with a roll number of 144, and ended with 158, the average attendance being 134. The roll number at present is 160, and the average for the quarter ended March 31 was 151. The annual inspection was conducted by Inspectors Bossence and Don, whoso report was considered eminently satisfactory. The school has. taken a very prominent part in relation to patriotic effoi-ts. Since the beginning of the war it has raised over £200 for various funds, and sent in over 500 articles for our soldiers. The school bazaar last August was a splendid- success, £141 10s bein# raised for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. For the first time _ a flower show was held in connection with the school, and was a great success, the sum of £12 6s being taken as a result of the effort. Necessary alterations and improvements to the school furniture will shortly be taken in hand by the Education Board. The school branch of the Navy League had' a record membership of 50. A splendid Singer sewing machine was supplied to the school during the year It nas been of great use in • connection with the work of sewing for the soldiers. The, receipts for the year were £61 4s 5d and the- expenditure. £45 16s lid, leaving a credit balance of £15 7s lid.

MOSGIEL. The number at present on the roll is : Primary 343, secondary 43,—total 386. The average attendance for the year was: Primary 322, secondary 25.6,—t0tal 347.6. , On account of the increase to the roll two teachers have been added to the staff, and the committee has had to renew its application for more classroom accommodat:on for the school. This year it was agreed to .give the surplus proceeds of tho concert to the Red Cross Society's Fund. The financial year began with a credit balance of £136 13s lOd, and ended with a credit of £138 13s 3d. Tho receipts amounted to £200 4s, and the expenditure to £198 4s 7d. The annual inspection was held in August, the inspectors' report being most satisfactory. In the opinion- of the committee it is one of the best reports ever submitted. Mr Hcaly, 8.6 c, the board's rural science instructor, attends every Friday io conduct classes. The outside work of this department' shows improvement. The garden is in excellent order. Lucerne, a dry-season crop, shows a luxuriant growth, and the yield of the' root crops has been phenomenal. Tuition in woodwork is carried on under direction of the head master. The seniors are doing advanced work. Tho cookery classes were taken during the first half of the year by Miss Scott, Miss Burfess (the board's instructor) taking the res"smaking during the second half. Bible classes have been conducted! throughout the year by the Revs. Aitken. MTDonald, Eccersail, Hamblett, and Pinfold, with Mr Lamond (Salvation Army) as locum, tenens Tii? membership of the school branch of the Nav> League stands at' 83.

MAOANDREW ROAD. The general proficiency of the school has been admirably maintained. Since last report the numbers on the roll have increased by 24, making a total roll number to date of 677, with an average attendance of 630. Owing to the congested conditions under which Standards V and VI are compelled to work, the committee approached the Education Board and the Minister of Education, with a view_ to securing more adequate accommodation, but up to the present nothing has been done to relieve the position. Of those who sat for their proficiency examination 99 per cent, were successful. Owing to tho advancing age and the extra work entailed under the/ new health regulations, Mr and Mrs Low have found it necessary to resign their position as caretakers, which they have held for a lengthy period. Mrs Christie was appointed as caretaker of the school. The committee is collecting the names of all those exscholars who have volunteered for military service, and hopes in tho near future to have a suitable roll of honour placed in the school. Bible reading classes have been inaugurated during tho year, and have proved a great success. The committee hae taken every precaution in having the school kept in a thoroughly hygienic and sanitary condition. During the year two members of tho committee, Messrs Read and Herring, wore granted leave of absence, having been accepted for military duties. Tho year started with a credit balance of £74 Is 6d,

and there has been expended about £75' on improvements, notwithstanding whichfact the credit balance is £101 17s 6d. : ■■:.;. ■.. KAJKORAI, y v , ■.••■..■'■■' The roll number has steadily increased' until it is now close on* the 600 mark, 1 an increase of 42 for the year. .The high position occupied by the 'school for- many years has been -fully maintained, and the> ; inspectors' report was to the effect that, the work done was of excellent quality,; and that the management. an<L tone of the ■ school met with their entire approval. The ■-war has drawn away 198 ex-pupils of the school, and their names'are: on. our roir of honour. ■ Of these, 23' have paid the great price in the cause of freedom, honour, and duty. During the recent outbreak of fantile paralysis every precaution has been taken by way of thorough cleansing and fumigation oi the buildings and the daily' use of disinfectants. Thev fife : and drum ; band,; school library, physical "„ exercises,. athletic sports, etc., have been used for the. mental and physical benefit of the pupils. • The year,, with its daily intimation concerning the requirements "arising from the operations of the war, has found a continuance and extension of practical sympathy from parents and' pupils, money,' goods, and. labour being freely given. Lady members of tho school staff have proved admirable leaders to the girls, who have made many:' useful articles for our soldiers.. The Bible class, conducted for many years by Mr Duncan Wright, continues to be largely attended and very highly appreciated by parents and children. The receipts amounted to £225 14s 10d, and the expenditure to £183 17e 9d, leaving a credit balance of £41 17s Id. . . ' ,