SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Opunake Times, 14 February 1939, Page 3

SCHOOL AFFAIRS

LARGE ROLL NUMBERS HIGH SCHOOL RECORD Administration of the affairs the Upunake District High School has increased in proportion with the advance in roll numbers, the, school committee

found at its meeting* last week, wiien several important matters were under consideration. Tlie chairman, Rev. G. Wood, . presided, and members present were Rev. J. H, Datson, Rev. J. H. Bailey, Messrs. N. G. Davis, R. Otene, E. G. SiU'i.l and W. D. Richards.

Pupils at the primary department numbered 226, reported the eadmaster, Mr. U. W. Wil-

liams. and 40 new entrants, a record figure., raised the secondary department roll to 81. With the consolidation of the Opua and Arawhata schools, a considerable amount o.f re-organisation had been necessary. The primary school building was now used for the primers, Stds. I and 11, and part of Std. 111, while the remainder of Std. 111, Std. IV and Forms 1 and 2 were accommodated in the new “sunshine” building at the rear of the secondary department. Features of the enrolments at the secondary department which called for comment were the support given to vocational courses, and the extended area now served by the school. Academic studies were to be followed by 15 of the; 40 pupils of Form 3, and the remaining2s were undertaking commercial and farming courses. The additional rooms at the secondary school were not yet ready for occupation, and some overcrowding was the consequence, this being particularly so in the woodwork room, where a class of 36 was supplied with equipment sufficient for 24 pupils. Alany boys would be prevented from undergoing training unless extra facilities were provided. Physical welfare was, to be given a prominent place this year, and the house system for school competitions was already in operation. Thanks were conveyed to Mr. L. W. Hall for bis donation of a tennis net, and to Mr, L. Whiting for a donation of 121 to the school library fund. The committee decided to ask the Education Board for increased accommodation in the woodwork room. The sum of £lO was granted for the purchase of material for arts and crafts classes.

While agreeing that the appointment of a permanent carttaker at the school was an immediate necessity, the committee decided to postpone the calling ol tenders for the position until the amount of capitation by the Board was determined. Con siderable discussion resulted on the question of the timetable for the school bus, and the ultimate decision was, that it should leave the school at 3 p.m. instead of 3.45 o’clock. The Power Board is to be asked to review the scale of charges for the current used at the secondary department. Mr. Williams, in reporting on the excellent results achieved by pupils of the secondary department in the matricultion and other examinations last year, paid tribute to the efficiency of the staff of that department. The committee fully endorsed the remarks of the headmaster, and extended congratulations to the staff.

Staff changes reported were the appointment of Miss A. C. Hutchinson and Miss I. Richards, who replaced Mrs. Lee and Mrs. McTavisli.