STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 98, 22 November 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. At the Stratford School Committee meeting last night, there were present Messrs J. McMillan (chairman), (I. Smart, C. H. Lawn, F. J. McDonald, 11. Sanderson, W. McDonald, C. Martin, W. Pinhoy, and P. Skoglund. With regard to the school picnic, Mr Smart proposed and Mr McDonald seconded, that this take place at the Ngamotn Beach, which, in the opinion of the meeting, was considered in every way more suitable than the Fast End Beach. It was thought that the- nearness of the site to the Breakwater and the Iron Blasting Works would prove of a probable educational advantage. This proposal was unanimously agreed to. VISITING COMMITTEE’S REPORT

The destructor as arranged for by the Education Board had been constructed, but there were some defects in construction which would need to be remedied before it is fully effective. The manhole top at the drainage outfall had been altered to allow the pathway to be raised. Attention was drawn to the necessity of repairing the asphalt court-yard at the Infants’ room. A load of fine gravel was required under the swings, but the place Mould be tetter if it Were asphalted. Repairs to the roof as

arranged for by the Education Board should be made when the weather is good. The concrete base to the iron railing in Fenton Street was cracked and pressed out of place by the roots of a large tree and permanent injurywas likely to he done. During the late gale a portion of the hoard fence between the swings and tennis court was blown down. The whole of the fence had been removed, which would lend itself to the improvement of the grounds. On the motion of Air McMillan, seconded by Air Lawn, the report was adopted. As to the destructor, it was resolved that as this was hot satisfactory tlie matter be reported to the Board. Mr Lawn, was authorised to prepare a specification for putting the asphalt in order. As to the roots ot tree damaging the concrete, on the motion of Air Smart, seconded by Mr Afacdonald, it was resolved that the caretaker cut these out where nccesfry. .HOB • a*' W»A The Committee reported that Mine sj'hodlil'ihadi h6en 'lvisitcU •Nhvis4V the last meeting.?

: .-r i HEADMASTER’S .REPORT. Mr TVier reported as follows: Owing to the illness of the Senior Inspector the annual examination had been postponed till Thursday nexi. During the year numerous changes had taken place in the teaching staff, especially in that of the secondary department, where one class (Form •I A) had' had four different teachers since .February last. Naturally, the standard of work in this class was Jiot up to that of previous years. In the Primary School, Standard 4 (boys) two months elapsed between Mr Adlam’s leaving and the arrival of his successor,, and consequently the work had suffered. The old . wooden fence dividing the girls’ ground was blown over during the re- 1 cent stormy weather. Mr Browne,, teacher of agriculture, suggested that it be replaced by a fence of wirenetting, along which a rose garden be laid out, and he (Mr Tyrer) suggested that the recommendation ■ be adopted. They had in hand sufficient wire, and the gates could be made by the Woodwork boys. He found.the posts and rails of the old fence quite rotten and useless; the boards, however, would he useful in making garden seats. Technical classes for the year were drawing to a close. A very successful class in plumbing (theory and practice) finished its course on Thursday last, when the instructor, Mr Herbert Smart, of New Plymouth, held an examination, the results were very pleasing indeed and, in his opinion the practical work was surprisingly good. The annual public examinations conducted by the Education Department begin throughout New Zealand to-morrrow. The Public Service Entrance and Senior National Scholarships finish on Wednesday, the 29th, and the Junior National would he taken on the 30th and Ist December. New regulations governing the granting of Proficiency and Competency Certificates to pupils in the 6th Standard of Primary Schools came into operation ou the sth October. The evident object of the regulations was to stiffen up the requirements, enabling a hoy or gin to secure a certificate entitling him or her to free secondary education. Most teachers would he in sympathy with this raising the standard for admission as free pupils to High Schools, but it was surely unfair to bring in such a drastic change at this time of the year. The pupils of many country schools had been already examined and pupils had passed or failed under the old regulations; surely then our pupils and all others yet to be examined should not he submitted to a severe)’ test. Mr Tyrer mentioned he had seen a statement (in connection with these regulations) in the “Evening Star.” Dunedin, to the effect that the Department of Education had arranged that only 60 per cenl. of the, candidates of Proficiency wore to be allowed to pass. This would mean that the “proficiency” was n.< longer a standard but a competitive examination. The Proficiency C'erti•ficate was the passport to positions in business houses, banks, and many branches of the Public Service; and every pupil who fulfilled the conditions hud down by the regulations i'n'ul whose work came up to the neoes-1 caiy standard - should certainly re-J ceive one,

On the motion of Mr Macdonald, seconded by Mr Skoglund, the report was adopted'and the matters relating to Proficiency M’ere left to the Chairman to enquire into. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Educa-j tion Board relative to the education of imbecile children.---Referred to the Headmaster. | The Education Board agreed to the; closing of the school on the 30th; November (Show Day). , BATHS COMMITTEE. Mr Smart reported on the state of the baths and the repairs required. On the motion of Mr McMillan, seconded by Mr Smart, it was agreed to do the necessary repairs, and this matter and the opening of the baths were referred to Messrs Smart and F. J. Macdonald to arrange. It was reported that there Mould be no school concert this yea', that some arrangements for a concert would be made locally M’hen piir.es were to be given.