LACK OF INTEREST?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 347, 30 April 1935, Page 5

LACK OF INTEREST?

PARENTS AND SCHOOL ONLY TWO PRESENT AT HOUSE HOIiOERS' MEETING. --V . - •, * , STRATFORD PRIMARY ’ ' * EDUCATION.

Only two householders, apart from the members of the school committee, were present at 'he annual meeting of householders last night to receive the annual report of the Stratford Primary School Committee. Mr. Percy Thomson, who pres’ded, said that though the small attendance was to be deplorfd ifr indicated that the people of Stratford were quite satisfied that.the control of the school was being carried out in the best possible manner, other-

wise they would have been pre-sent-,to priticise.

Moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet Mr. Thomson congratulated Mr. Morrison and the committee bn the work carried out during the year. The value of the permanent improvements effected at the school' were apparent. They had overcome the dust nuisance and beautified the school. The school lay between Victoria Park and the new Windsor Park and be was pleased to see tbe committee was considering the beautifying of the school ground. There still remained a good deal , to be done in this direction. He also commented favourably on the greater response by parents to the Payment of dental clinic fees. He expressed the liope that town parents HOUld not overlook the small fee in future. It should be a pleasure to Pay It, not a duty. The fact that *he high standard of the school had ; been maintained was favourably com- 1 mented on by Mr. Thomson. C tizens j Were proud of the educational facili- i

were proua or me eaucauonai tacmtics in Stratfbfrd and were greatly *ndebtf;d to the school committee, headmaster and staff. The weekly blble instruction comriientcd on in the report was a pleasing feature, he said. He congratulated the eommittee on their financial position. A Dream Realised. Mr. J. Morrison raid he was proud of the work done during the past year. The committee had dreamed of the ground improvement scheme for a long time and it had now been brought to a ' successful completion. Further improvements in the appearance of the ground would have to be made t’o put them in keeping with the two bounding parks. They had a fairly big balance and he hoped aomg of the funds could be spent on .the playing area. He thanked the members of the committee for their co-operation and con grain 'ated Mr. Fiirrle and his staff on cheft- success fuj year’s work. He expressed d;S- j appointment at the small attendance ! of parents. Tho committee’s gratitude was due j to the public committee who helped j •to raHe funds for tho ground’s im- j provement, said Mrs. P. Thomson. While it was a matter of regret j that" the public attendance was | small, said Mr.. Thomson, it indicat- j Cd that the parents were satisfied that • the committee was functioning effi- j cieiitly and in the best interests of the srehoo'.

Headmaster’s Comment. The work of the school had go along more smoothly than usual dining, the past twelve months, said Mr kurrie, mainly due to the fact thai etaff charges were much less fre quept. This meant a distinct im provement In the school’s work. The question of , the school grading hac given then anxiety. A matter that had exercised the minds of teacher; and .school committee’s was tne d ; f fercntiatlon of the grading and staff mg of schools. The grade was has ed not on the annual roll but on the average attendance, which was af fected-by many cau-es. He was glad that the state of the playing area was to be considered. The grounds were in some places almost danger out. He hoped that the committee would be able to do something. The school munt have its environs in keeping with th e two parks, and the business area. The frontal view was good but it was not so from the rear. Attention- must be given to the front and back -entrances to the school. Such a condition should not be allowed to exist; if it were rectified a very important work both hygienically and architecturally would be done. The general work of the school had,.been good and the staff of teachers /were whole-hearted in their w- T k. They took an interest in the children and worked for their good The offer to donate a variety of native trees, for planting in the school grounds was made by Mr. Thomson.. The trees could bo labelled a(3 ( qordipg tp type and the children yirould then learn to appreciate the New Zealand native trees and recognise them by name, he said. Had the barring of the five-year-olds affected the roll and attendance, asked Mr. A. Fergusson. He expxlainqd he. t meant the proportion of absentees. If anything, Said Mr. Furrie, there would be a slightly better average attendance r ( s thje youjnger children

were more susceptible. He had not j studied the matter, however, but did ! rot think there would b e much difl „ • feronce. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. j Thomson for 1 his chairmanship and to the Press,