SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Southland Times, Issue 17495, 26 April 1915, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

WAIHOPAI SCHOOL The following 3s the annual report of the committee of the Walhopal School, which will be presented at the meeting of householders this evening. In presenting this year’s report the committee is pleased to state that tho name of the school lias been changed from Queen’s Park to the old name of AValhopai, which has many old associations connected with it. The formal opening of the now school in Herbert street was held on July 3, 1011. There was a large attendance of parents, children and others, and the ceremony was successfully carried out. AV e have to congratulate the head-master (TVlr O. McNeil), and his staff upon the success of their labours. The school has continued its career of progress, which is strikingly shown in the following list of successes at recent examinations. Fifteen candidates passed the recent scholarships examination, two of these standing first and second respectively in the Southland list. Seven were awarded money scholarships, corresponding numbers for the three previous years being eight, nine and six. The one national scholarship for which the school could compete fell to Harry J. Webb, who is the seventh AVaihopai pupil to gain that honour within the last nine years. .Che results of the proficiency examination were also on a pax' with tlxose of previous years, all the candidates securing proficiency, but one. wixo received a competency pass. It is desired to note that the Standard VI. pupils are all without exception presented for this examination. The latest return of tho attendance at the Alain and side schools is 540 on the roll, with an average attendance of 493. At tho beginning of the year the committee, acting on the Education Board's suggestion, decided to open the school at 9 o’clock each morning, and give IVi hours for the dinner recess, and to close at -x.el) , ln " stead of 4 p.m., as heretofore, it being considered an advantage to give- the children ample time for lunch, and the earlier closing in the afternoon enables them to reach home or attend other classes early in the afternoon. The side school, which was damaged by fire, lias been repaired and added to so as to serve its purpose for tho present, ilio grounds at the now school have been cleared of rushes and the gravelling lias been completed. We approached the Town Council to have the south Loot’ path of Herbert street asphalted, but as no money was available foi the putpose the Council made temporary repairs and promised to consider the question of asphalting at a later date, "ho committee thanks the headmaster and staff for tho zeal displayed in theii attention to the a flairs of the school. Friday (March 26) was set apart lor raising money for the Belgian V und, and the children, parents. teachers and others were so enthusiastic over the matter that the sale of gifts, etc., realised the sum of £lO5 10s. including an anonymous donation of £lO. the total amount being tho largest raised by the schools in the Southland district. The committee held thirteen meetings during the year, the attendances were: Messrs Hiskcns and Roberts. 13; Prain, 12; Edmonds. 11; AicChcsney, 9: Stout. S- Cuthbcrtson, 7: Webb, G; Bell. 2; Macalister. 1. Air 801 l was elected only three months ago in Air Alacalister s place. , Regarding tho finances, the committee started the year with a credit balance of £56 7s. Ordinary grants from the Education Board amounted to t.U 10s. contributions and donations to 11 1 14s fid, donations for school prizes to £l6 Ifis 10x1, picnic ami other refunds to Its 7xl. stalioux'i-y fees £3S Is 3d. and library fund !2s 9d; making a total of £229 6s lid. , ~ The expenditure included tile following Items: Cleaning schools £73 3s sd, fuel and lighting £3l) 0s s<l, sanitary foes £lO Us, expcnxlilure on grounds £( ‘is fid stationary, maps, etc. £26 ifis 10x1 school library £IS 16s, prizes £l7 CIS ”xl water rates £4 3s, and various items amounting to £ll 19s -Ixi—prpxliuing a xotal of £I9S 4s Xd. which allows a credit balance of £3t 2s 3d. V A IKFWT. The following is the annual report of tin' tVaikiwi School Committee:—The committee lias pleasure in ropox'ling anchor sux'ccssful year in all depaitments of the school, anil the efficiency of former years has been well maintained. I ho allenda noo for the year has been very gooxl. being an average of ISJ of a roll number averaging 200. The Inspector's annual examination disclosed very excellent work by the staff, and the committee lias pleasure in tendering congratulations to the headmaster anrl bis staff upon their successful efforts during tho year. At the December proficiency examinations 13 pupils were presented and 12 gained proficiency cx-rl illcatos anxl xme x*ompetoncy. With regard to the staff there have been one or two changes, Air (‘.owe having accepted tho position of first assistant at the new St. George school. while Air A. Petrie, 8.A., was appointed to fill the vacancy, Mr C. Stuck filling the position vacated by .Miss Wilson. At the Invercargill competitions the. school was again, well represented. The cup presented by Mr Taylor for junior school singing was won by the . school choir unxier the leadership of Mr Rowe, and in the physical drill the boys' team was again successful in annexing first prize after a kcx-n competition with the South School, the girls' team securing second place, while several Tiriz.es for individual snh-jx'x-ts wx're won by the pupils. 3 lie Belgian relief effort was successfully carried out by the headmaster (Mr D. AT. f.rcigl and his staff, a not profit of £2S 15s resulting. /Hie grounds anxl buihiings are in good order, and have been kept in gooxl repair, and the commit tee is pleased to note that the Board intend in add to the mil houses. The raceipts for the year tola I f7 I 17s 2xl, expenditure £7 1 5s Sd, leaving a balance of 13 11s fid.