SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Southland Times, Issue 21996, 21 April 1933, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

ANNUAL REPORTS. INVERCARGILL MIDDLE. Tift following report will be presented at the annual meeting of householders of the Invercargill Middle School: — The committee reports a successful year of work in connection with the school. There have been no changes in the personnel of the committee throughout the year; meetings have been held every month and all members have manifested a very keen interest in school affairs. The school surroundings are now in excellent condition; the wide area of concrete now laid ensures a clean, dry and healthy environment to the school and already there is indication, in the reduced number of cases of minor colds, that the expense was justified. The appearance of the school is a credit to the Education Department and the Education Board, and no doubt the City Council appreciates also the improvement that has taken nlace at this part of the town. In this regard the committee desires to record its appreciation of the interest that the architect, Mr Gough, has shown in the scheme of beautification.

The committee thanks most heartily all friends of the school who have contributed to the funds in any way. The various functions have been well supported and as a result the committee has been able to meet practically all demands made. Early this year the school celebrated its 60th anniversary. All arrangements for a successful function were promoted by an enthusiastic committee under the chairmanship of Mr J. L. McG. Watson, a foundation member of the school. It is to be hoped that the appeal made at the jubilee of 1923 and repeated on this occasion will bear fruit. The school needs a strong healthy atmosphere of loyal support, both moral and financial, from its expupils and it is still true that deeds speak louder than words. May the enthusiasm shown at the jubilee dinner crystalize into solid support of the school.

While it is true that teachers are paid for their work, it is also worthy of note that this school in common with others reaps a rich harvest from the selfsacrificing efforts of its staff. The committee desires to acknowledge the work that has been put into the school by the staff in furthering the interests of the pupils in every possible way. The new scheme in sport has worked most successfully, both girls and boys having full opportunity to play our national games. Finally, we thank those who have taken a special interest in the training of the school choirs, not only because of the profits earned for the school, but also for the pleasure that the singing of the children has given to the school public. WAIHOPAI. The annual report of the Waihopai School Committee is as follows:— The committee has pleasure in being once more able to record a very successful year’s work at the three Waihopai schools, in spite of the very difficult times it has had to face. There must be a few schools in the Dominion where the team spirit of . cooperation between parents, committee, staff and children is more in evidence, and therefore all members of the committee have had an easy and pleasurable task during the year now ended. Now that we have a sports ground worthy of the Waihopai School, it is good to lie able to commend the headmaster and staff for their untiring devotion to the school sports, largely outside of school hours. In football the seniors were runners-up in the competition, and over 120 boys have regularly played during the season. In cricket we have had the services of Dr. Stanley Brown and Mr A. E. Wish as coaches, and the teams have performed creditably. The committee wish especially to thank these men fol' this useful help to the school sport. The new concrete pitch is a great boon, and we look forward to the standard of cricket being raised as the boys growing up will benefit from the start through playing on good wickets under proper coaching. In tennis the school has done well, the names of champions being as follows: Senior boy, H. Armour; senior girl, Adeline Henderson, with Ray Kingsland runnerup; junior girl, Leona Barrett, with June Polson runner-up. At basketball both senior and junior teams won the knock-out in the tournament, whilst the juniors put up a good showing in the fourth grade competition. The school holds the Avenal Cup for swimming, the Wilson Cup for most points in school swimming sports, and the Herbert Smith Cup for senior boy champion, the last being won by Michael Moffett. At the Otautau sports the school won most points, and was fully represented at the Southland school championships, though unsuccessful in carrying off shields. In basebaft the senior team won the schools competition, and the juniors were run-ners-up in their grade. For the first time the school held its own sports gathering on the Waihopai grounds in December last, the champions being Michael Moffett, senior boy; Paul Mclnnes, junior boy; . Margaret Gardiner, senior girl; Joan Dixon, junior girl. The schools are now seen to be fully organized in athletics, a thing which must influence for good their discipline and spirit. The neat appearance of the grounds, the remarkable show of flowers which surround the school, and the cleanliness of the buildings are the subject of much favourable comment, which reflects great credit on the caretaker, Mr L. Ewens, to whom we give our thanks. The indoor work of the headmaster and staff and the tone of the schools have again received excellent reports from visiting officials of the Education and Health. Departments, and the committee offers them its congratulations and thanks for this able and unstinted work on behalf of the children. Subsidies on moneys contributed to the committee are no longer payable by the Government. A heavy burden has thus been placed on parents—a burden all the greater because of the hard times. All, however, have done what they could to make up for the shortage in Government assistance, by supporting the school in every way. The staff have willingly organized a number of bring-and-buy sales in each of the three schools, parents have helped as required, and have given very generous financial help. The result of all efforts for the year has been that £137 7/11 was handed to the committee to help the school funds. There cannot be many schools in the Dominion which have been so helped by the parents. In conclusion, we would thank the many parents who have in any way helped the school during the year; Mr J. S. Nelson and his staff for their ungrudging work; the members of the Education Board for their willing interest in our school; and its secretary and architect for their unfailing practical help as in former years.

WOODLANDS. The year ending February 28, 1933, was perhaps one of the most important in the history of the Woodlands School, states the annual report of the committee. An extensive scheme of grounds improvement was completed during the year. As a result we have a first class playing area, also ample space for lawns and flower plots, which are in process of construction. The

school and surroundings, we hope, will be one of the beauty spots of the district, and the children should benefit from them improved environment. The committee wishes to express their thanks to the Education Board s architect for his careful supervision of this work. The Diamond Jubilee of the school was celebrated on January 25, 26 and 27, 1933, and, in the words of some of the oldest ex-pupils, it was really a wonderful time. Every function was well attended. The meeting of so many old friends who had been away- from the district for so many years, and messages from ex-pupils from overseas, brought back many happy memories of the days of long ago. It was agreed by all that nothing ever held in the district had been so successfully carried out as the Diamond Jubilee of the school. . The present financial position of the committee is very satisfactory, and we would like to take this opportunity of thanking the residents of the district for the generous support they have given to all functions held for the purpose of augmenting the school funds. We would also like to place on record our appreciation of the teaching staff. We consider that we are fortunate in having two such capable teachers as Mr E. Hargest (headmaster) and Miss Kane. We solicit for them the cooperation of all parents, particularly in the regular attendance of the children at school.

MATAURA. The report of the Mataura School Committee states: — The committee has much pleasure in reporting a very satisfactory year. The results of the proficiency examination show that the previous high standard of efficiency in the school has been well maintained, all the pupils presented for examination having obtained certificates. Owing to the exclusion of five-year-old children the roll has dropped considerably, being now 288 as compared with 303 at this time last year. The attendance, however, has been so satisfactory (95 per cent.) that it is hoped to maintain the present grade of the school. The only changes in the staff have been the arrival of the new headmaster, Mr Downard, and the usual probationary assistants appointed from term to term. The school was visited during the year by the Director of Education and the chief inspector from Wellington, the school inspectors, the school doctor and nurse and the agricultural instructor. Prior to the break-up for the annual vacation a parents’ day was held at the school. Parents showed their appreciation of this innovation by attending in large numbers. The interest shown will, we hope, result in this being an annual fixture. The usual break-up ceremony and sports were held on the last school day before the annual vacation. The dux medal, donated by Dr. Woodhouse, was won by William Russell, while the prize for diligence presented by Sister Scott was won by Allan Major. These presentations were made by Major Rice, as also were Standard 6 certificates of proficiency and competency and good attendance certificates numbering 94. A very successful sports gathering was held on the recreation grounds. We are pleased to note that, the school is not behindhand in interschool games. The Eastern Southland football shield was won by the senior boys and the girls retained possession of the hockey cup. A special feature of the school work is the Agricultural Club, in which the growing of crops is encouraged by the Department of Agriculture under the supervision of Mr R Pryde. Twenty children are taking part in the competitions for potato, mangold and carrot growing The school grounds have been specially well cared for during the year and have presented an attractive appearance. We desire to thank the Unemployment Board for assistance rendered, especially for work done in keeping the footpaths and borders so neat and clean. Thanks are also due to the school grounds improvement committee for providing equipment in the form of display boards, clocks, maps and a slide for the infants. . The annual school excursion to Blurt proved to be at very popular event, and one and all appeared to enjoy the outing. We wish to comment specially on the excellent work done by the caretaker. The headmaster states that all the duties are exceptionally well carried out, the school being always in a clean and attractive state. In conclusion, the committee desires to thank Mr Downard, the headmaster, and members of the staff for their assistance and co-operation during the year.