PATEA EDUCATION BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 10, 15 May 1875, Page 2

PATEA EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above Board took place on Monday last, at the Court-house. Present:—The Chairman (Captain Wray), Tvl;- s Chrlstir > J ]Mi<tdlcinaF, Milroy, and Fnrlong. After the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, the Inspector’s report was read. The following resolutions were then passed : That the consideration of the conduct of the llawera schoolmaster, with reference to the Inspector's report, stand over till the next meeting.” “ That no assistance whatever can he, allowed to the Ilawcra school at present.” i: That in eonsefpiener; of the Inspector's report being favourable. Mr [tyi io appointment as teacher of the Pat. a -Ca'ii!, a: the salary of ;£KiO per

annum, be confirmed for the current x

year.' “ That the secretary ascertain the whereabouts of Norman McDonald, with a view of forwarding certificate of merit, granted by the Inspector for presentation aeco’ ding to his request; and also that the secretary write to the master of Pa lea school, informing him that a certificate of merit has been granted to McDonald, and that Hirst is honourably mentioned.” “That the secretary write A,- the Carlyle School Committee, m > H g them that the Board were prepared to take steps to get an assistant teacher for the Carlyle school.” u That it is advisable to erect schools at Kukaramea and Kotemarae ; and Unit the subject of an assistant for Carlyle stand over for three months.” “ That the secretary advertise for an assistant teacher for the Carlyle school; applicant to state age, qualifications, and what salary expected.” “ That the secretary write to the TTawera School Committee, informing them that the Board have taken over ihc school, and desire that it may be * opened on the 17th instant.” “ That the secretary write to Major Turner, informing him that the Board have no further use for the blockhouse and stove at Ilawera, a now school having been completed, thanking him for their use, and beg to hand them back.”

“ That in consequence of Mr Dalton’s having failed to supply fencing material in accordance with terms of his agreement, the secretary call for fresh tenders for supplying and erecting fence and gate round the Carlyle School Reserve, according to specifications to be prepared.” The following tenders were received for the erection of a school at Kakaramea;—Mr T. North, £177; Mr W. Atchison, £IBO. It was decided that neither of the tenders be accepted, being too high. The secretary was requested to write to Mr Williamson, informing him that the

Board wore willing to rent the hall until the schoolroom wavs built, at the rate of £lO per annum, and to provide a teacher on completion of the building. The following accounts were passed for payment; —R. Chilman, £2 2s; W. Furlong, 19s 9d. The secretary was instructed to insure the Ilawcra school-house for £200; also to purchase a hook to keep a record of school books, furniture, &c., on issue. The Board then adjourned till Monday, 7th June, at 10 a.m.

inspector's report,

Wellington, April 28, 1875,

.Sir, — I have the honor to present my ,second report on the state of the Patoa schools, and, in the first instance, I must congratulate your Board on the energy displayed in erecting such excellent school accommodation since my last visit, the school building at Carlyle being completed and in nso, whilst the school-house at Ilawera is fast approaching completion. Both buildings arc very suitable and well placed ; they are, moreover, well built, lined and furnished, and surrounded with good play-ground space. The expedition shown, and the foresight displayed, in securing good endowments of land in connection'witfftlm schools, will be a lasting benefit to the district. I would recommend that a part of the play-ground attached to each school ho separately fenced off for the nso of tiie girls, who should always play apart from the hoys. As your Board contemplates erecting shortly one or two country schools, I beg to suggest that consideration should be given to distance as well as centres of population. It appears, from experience elsewhere, that schools should not—in a district like Patea—he, nearer than six miles to each other, so that outlying settlers, though few in number, be not left out of reach of a school. I have on this occasion tested the Patea schools by the Welling! on Standard,” of which I enclose, one or two copies for the use of the members of your Board, who will be able to sec exactly what work is done in the schools, and how the results compare with those of other parts of the Colony. Those results will afford data from which to estimate future progress and efficiency. The number on books at Carlyle were 42 boys and 8 girls ; Ilawera, 29 boys and 19 girls. Number passed in Carlyle school —Standard I—Beys, 21 ; girls 4. Standard 2—Boys, G. Standard 3—Boys, 1. Ilawera school —Standard I—Boys, 11 ; girls, 5. Standard 2—Beys, 5. It will be noticed that few girls at present attend the Carlyle school. A list of the children for each school passed in the several standards, \vill. schedules of lijarlvS given, has been left with each master for future reference. In the Wellington Province, after the system of standards has been six months in operation, the results were as follows : —Passed : Standard 1, 4G per cent ; 2. 14 per cent ; 3, 1.4 per cent. In the Marlborough Province in the first visit were passed—Standard 1, 43 per cent ; 2, 15 per cent ; 3, 8 per cent. It will be seen that 42 per cent passed standard 1 in the Patea schools, as compared with 4G per cent in Wellington and 43 per cent in Marlborough ; that 11 per cent passed standard 2, as compared with 14 . per cent in Wellington and 15 per cent in V Marlborough ; and that 1 per cent passed standard 3, as compared with 1.4 per cent in Wellington and 8 per cent in Marlborough schools ; a result by net m *ans nn-aTisfVudory f. r comparatively new

schools in a now district, although a low result when measured by a standard which we -hope to attain in time. Of the two schools, (ho Hawera school is much' below the other in oflieioncy. This is owing to several causes—-to irregular attendance, to the influence of the temporary building, to the want of proper desks, to the district being even more newly settled, and perhaps more especial'y to the want of more efficient teaching powers, as the present ■master has been only lately appointed. The Hawera school is stid hold in the old blockhouse, without any proper furniture. The best master would work at a fearful discount in such a building. I found 30 children present out of 48 on the books. The present average attendance, which is about 20, is very low for such a number on the books. The reading was a hum-driun, without any idea of grouping words. The admission register was not made up, and the log book contained no entries. I have left in this school and in the Carlyle school, entries in the log book which may he of service to the masters. The 1 loyal Headers have been introduced, but in all other particulars T found the school scarcely bettor provided than it was six months ago. I feed sure this school will present a totally different aspect when the now building is opened, and a master of any tact and ability has been six months in harness. Unfortunately, Mr Dunne was absent from illness at the time of my visit. He possesses documentary evidence of his fitness for the post. The Carlyle school, under Mr Dyer, has an average attendance of about 40. I found 43 in attendance on the day of examination, and 60 on the hooks. The three necessary registers are all properly kept, and excellent reading hooks arc in use. I reminded the master to classify his children in groups or blocks of desks, and not in long lines, and to make a separate and distinct classification for arithrnoti'-, I am of opinion that the progress made in this school during the past six months is satisfactory. The weak points to which attention was directed on my first visit have boon properly adjusted. The reading and writing arc “much improved, and the multiplication’and other tables fairly well known. The knowledge of geography, history, and grammar were also fairly satisfactory. The school would he much more efficiently taught, and the discipline more easily maintained, if a pupil teacher could bo allowed. Such assistance is usually granted in other parts of the Colony to a school whore the .average attendance is 35 or 40. I have much pleasure in sending a certificate of merit, which I will ask you to publicly present to Norman McDonald. Hirst deserves honourable mention. The Patoa Board of Education will do well to erect comfortable teachers’ residences, as a pleasant home with certain tenure-is instrumental in giving a master position, and in retaining him to his post. I cannot conclude my report without thanking you and other members of your Board and of the Local School Committees for their expressions of confidence and good-will. I remain, &c., 11. Lee, Inspector of Schools. To C. A, Wray, Esq., Chairman Patoa Education Board.