EDUCATION AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 3

EDUCATION AFFAIRS

DUNEDIN NORTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL LARGER ROLL NEEDED MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD The question of increasing the number of children attending the Dunedin North Intermediate School was discussed by the Otago Education Board at its monthly meeting yesterday. The meeting was attended by Messrs Brugh (acting chairman), W. M. Cooper, J. I. G. Somerville, D. Marshall, W. D. Sutherland, E. Morgan, N. Colquhoun, D. C. Cameron and C. Ritchards. The subject of the Intermediate School arose from a resolution carried by the annual meeting of parents and guardians of the school, which read — 11 That this meeting, recognising the value and benefit of the intermediate school system of education, asks the Otago Education Board immediately to take further steps to increase the number of children attending the school so that it may function fully as an intermediate school and seriously protests against the present reduction jn the teaching staff.” Mr D. C. Cameron said he fully agreed with the resolution, but pointed out that the difficulty was to find means of giving it effect. It had been stated by the principal of the school in discussion with the board that a roll of 400 was needed if the intermediate school were to be run properly. The roll at present was 280, and the problem was how to increase it to 400. If other schools in the district were “decapitated,” there would be strong protests. Staffing was, of course, based on the roll and the board was not responsible for that. The school was unfortunately placed so far as increasing its membership was concerned. He suggested that a sub-committee from the board should meet the school committee to discuss the position of the school and its future. That an attendance of 400 was not necessary to the proper running of an intermediate school was shown by the success of the Waitaki Intermediate School, Mr N. Colquhoun said. It was functioning successfully on a much smaller roll. The acting-chairman (Mr W. R. Brugh): Might there not be a distinction between a school under the wing of an established senior school and one standing on its own? Mr Cameron said he did not suggest it was not possible for an intermediate school to function properly on a roll smaller than 400. The point was that the Dunedin North School had accommodation and full provision for a roll of 400 and it was necessarv to the proper use of its facilities and therefore to the successful running of that particular school that it should have a full attendance. It was decided that the town members of the board should constitute a committee to consult with the school committee. Use of Municipal Baths Advice was received from the Canterbury and Wellington boards concerning the cost of swimming instruction. In Christchurch, it was stated, the municipal baths were not used very much for instruction because most of the town schools had baths attached to them. During the recent intensive course of instruction, however, the tepid baths were used and the City Council made no admission charge whatever for primary school children. The Wellington board advised that there were no tepid baths in Wellington. Instruction was given intensively during February and the city council gave the free use of its baths during school hours during that month.

The secretary (Mr G. W. Carrington) said that before the depression, the board used to pay £IOO to the City Council for the use of the baths. The amount was reduced to £SO, but last year it was increased to £75 and now the council wished to have it brought back to £IOO again. Not only did the council receive that fee, but it also obtained tram fares from the children attending the baths he added. It was decided to forward the Canterbury and Wellington advice to the council. Subsidies The Berwick committee applied for assistance in laying concrete paths to the outhouses. The architect’s estimate of the cost was about £ll.—lt was decided to grant half the cost. The Waipori Falls committee applied for material to erect a concrete retaining wall. The architect estimated the cost at £ll 10s plus cartage if necessary.—lt was decided t supply the material. The Waikouaiti committee stated it was not satisfied with the top-dressing work carried out last

year. The architect reported that another top-dressing would improve the surface but could not permanently seal cracks or prevent cracking. To top-dress the area with emulsion and sand would cost alpout £l2.—The board approved of the work. > Repairs v The head teacher at Walkouaiti applied for, . improvement _to the school entrance. The architect reported that an improvement could be made by widening and gravelling at a cost of about £s.—The Architect’s report vyas adopted. The architect reported that , the asphalt at the Forbury School could be divided into two areas, one of about 3983 square yards and the other of about 1120 square yards. The latter was in the better state of repair and if only one area were to be concreted, it should be the former. The cost would be £1494. —lt was decided to make application to the Public Works Department. An application was received from the Brighton head teacher for a veranda or sun porch and enlargement of the front room. The architect reported that to enlarge the front room and erect a sun porch would cost about £l9o.—The board decided that the architect should report on the sun porch proposal onlv. It was decided to renovate the rooms and make some other improvements to the residence at Lovell’s Flat, and to apply to the department for further improvements. A copiplaint from the Anderson’s Bay Committee concerning water washing across the boys’ playground at the upper school was referred to the architect with power to act. — It was stated that if the unemployed men at the school could do the work, the material for a concrete channel would cost about £6. An application for renovations to the Ngapara residence, estimated to cost about £8 10s,,was approved. The department advised : that • grant would be available toward the cost of converting the conveniences at the Musselburgh School. ; The board’s share would be £225. —It was decided that the work should be carried out. District High School at Ranlurly Advice was received from the department that approval had been given to the establishment of a district high school at Ranfurly. An intimation that school committee allowances were being continued for the present at exactly the same rate as for the past financial year was received from the department. The Otokia committee asked that a new school be built as the present building was in a dilapidated state and infested with borer. —It was decided to ask the committee for its views on consolidation.

A renewed application from the Tuapeka Mouth Committee for improvements to the residence was referred to the architect.