EDUCATIONAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3841, 2 December 1936, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL

TE AWAMUTU DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. Mr G. B. Melrose presided at the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu District High School Committee on Tuesday evening, and also present were Messrs J. Marston, W. G. Adams, J. Waters, L. S. Armstrong, J. A. Maxwell, W. C. Savill, E. Menary, and the secretary, Mr J. G. Wynyard. The headmaster, Mr A. J. Shepherd, was in attendance.. An apology for absence was received trom Mr D. Clark. The chairman accorded a hearty welcome back to the Committee to Mr J. A. Maxwell, who has consented to accept a seat in succession to Mr L. C. Cook, resigned. Mr Maxwell was formerly a member, and has recently returned from a world tour. Mr Shepherd said the primary department roll now stands at 372 (an increase of 13 for the. term) with an average attendance of 341. The secondary roll is 83 and an averagei attendance of 72. This roll shows a diop of 16 for the term. Mr Shepherd inquired if there is to be the customary Christmas Tree at the infant school this year. It was decided to continue the custom, and £3 was voted for the purchase of gifts for the children. Thei headmaster reported that the annual promotion examinations are now being held. Standard 6 was examined on Monday, 43 proficiency certificates and six competency certificates being granted. He added that this is the last year that a proficiency examination will be held, according to an announcement by the Minister of Education. Matriculation tests commenced on Tuesday, in the Presbyterian Church Hall, and. nine candidates from the school arel sitting. Eighteen senior free places have been granted, and two pupils are sitting for examination. One pupil has baen granted a highet - leaving certificate, and has also sat for the Training College entrance examination.

It was stated that the Old Pupils’ Association proposes to hold its annual reunion in the school on Thursday evening, 17th inst.—Approved. To a question, Mr Shepherd said the amount at credit of depositors in connection with the Post Office savings bank, which commenced on June 13th, is now £199 10s Bd.—Members expressed pleasure at the continued success of the savings bank innovation. Reportino - on school gardens, the headmaster said this year the boys of standards 4, 5 and 6 have cultivated small plots; standards 5 and 6 in twos, and standard 4 in groups of four. Interest has been well maintained, es"eciallv in standard 4. Some of the girls also have gardens, mostly for flowers, while there are 24 home gardens (both vegetable and flower). These are to be judged this month by Mr McConnell. The Auckland Board of Education forwarded particulars of the school holidays for the balance of the financial year. The Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, wrote: “I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November sth, regarding the amount paid to your Committee for incidental expenses and in reply I may say that the whole of the amount voted by Parliament is being distributed to the Education Boards. The basis of distribution between the various school comjmittees is, however, a matter within the jurisdiction of the Boards, and each Board has been advised that, out of the total grant paid, it must make provision for cases of special hardship or necessity. I regret that, at the present time. I am unable to do anything to assist your Committee, but would suggest that you approach the Board in the matter.” It was decided to renew the: application to the Board of Education. Comment was made by a member that the Committee had not been successful in getting a grant from the Board out of the purchase money paid to the Education Department for a portion of the headmaster’s residence site. It was mentioned that early in the year - it had been decided to hold the annual school picnic before Christmas, and it was asked if this were intended now? After mature consideration, it was decided to defer any arrangements for the picnic until the February meeting. The chairman conveyed to the headmaster and his staff the Committee’s deep appreciation and congratulations upon the excellent work carried out throughout the year. It was mentioned that there will be several staff changes when the school resumes after the midsummer vacation, as several teachers will 'be leaving for new appointments. Members expressed regret that very pleasant associations are: about to be severed, for - the teachers about to leave have always had the confidence of the Committee. Two of them have bden teachers at the local school for at least nine years, and others for shorter periods. Mi - Shepherd said he had proposed to retire at the end of the month, but view of the many staff changes it was probable he would be continuing his duties until the end of February. Reports on the dental clinic levy showed that there had been a considerable improvement, there now being fflw defaulters. The position of these is being investigated. The chairman mentioned that at the Grandstand Building official opening two or three weeks hence, a sports programme included six events for school children, and he asked the headmaster to try to get good representation. Mr Savill handed in 10s, being excess over cost of the afternoon tea at the opening of the< school rifle range on a recent Saturday, and said it had been suggested that it be the nucleus of a fund for encouragaing the boys to get a good practical knowledge of targel’: shotting. Mention was made of the keen interest displayed by the School Cadets and also of the recent formation of a Te Awamutu branch of the Defence Loague. Mr Shepherd gave, a brief resume of the “field day” held at the new school rifle range when the range was opened. Cantain Clachan had expressed warm praise for the range, and his comment had been echoed by others who had visited the range. Arrangements were madei for the school concert which proved so successful last month, to be repeated on the 15th inst—this time in the Empire

f u h n e d a s tre—again in aid of the School It was arranged to hold next meetary °” thei second Tuesday in Februth® P res ent was the last ordin. aiy meeting before the festive seas°n . C ]? a J r " ian took the opportunity to extend felicitations and thanks to c °mmitteemen and to the (through the headmaster), sentiM?. ' were: heartily reciprocated, reiof h e Dherd added that very pleasant twf P n 0 H> S had alwavs prevailed beS ? aff a . nd the committee, and he hoped it would always continue.