EDUCATIONAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4221, 8 December 1939, Page 5

EDUCATIONAL

TE AWAMUTU PRIMARY SCHOOL. MEETING OF CODfMITTEE. The monthly meeting of Te Awamutu Primary School Committee was held on Wednesday evening, Mr L. S. Armstrong presiding, and also present were Messrs E. Menarey, H. Parker, J. Waters, G. M. Wall, and J. G- Wynyard (secretary). Mr A. H. Woods (headmaster) was in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs L. W. Spence, W. C. Savill, and W. G. Adams. The secretary to the Board of Education advised that the proposed road entrance to the school from Bank Street was to be deferred until the Education Department actually authorised the erection of the proposed new rooms at the school. The town clerk advised that the Borough Council would have a pedestrian crossing made in Bank Street nearly opposite the Dental Clinic, as requested.

The treasurer presented the statement of finances, showing the position to be (satisfactory—>about £lO better than a month ago. Accounts totalling £8 18s 8d were presented and passed for payment. The headmaster’s report showed the roll number at the end of November to be 575- Attendance had been somewhat affected by the prevalence of chicken-pox. Mr J. Riley had resumed duty after illness, and Mrs J. Nobes, emergency teacher, had ceased duty. Mrs A- Hanna had intimated her intention to resign as she proposed to reside at Cambridge. Mr Wall reported, on behalf of the inspection committee, that the school buildings and grounds were in good order. He added that the percussion band formed among the infant classes was surprisingly good, and seemed to be an innovation well worth while. Referring to the suggested removal of half a dozen large pine trees, he was negotiating for this. A general clean-up of the grass in the grounds was planned for the latter part of January in order to have the area in good order when the school resumed. At the infant school it was desirable to have the large eleagnus hedge cut down and removed, and Mr Wall outlined how it could be done.—The report was received. Mr Waters said that with Mr Savill he had visited the old infant school. He indicated small improvements that were desirable.

The chairman reported that tentative arrangements had been made for a special matinee picture screening at the Empire Theatre for the smaller children instead of the usual Christmas tree, the date to be the Thursday before Christmas Eve. The town clerk advised that the Borough Council had desolved to make the municipal swimming baths available to the school children for the season from Ist December on conditions specified, from Monday to Friday inclusive, the school committees to be responsible for care-taking, and pay £5O to the Council for- the season. The chairman said the Borough Council was willing to provide sufficient water to ensure purity and freshness at the baths, and the health officer would take frequent tests of the water. Argument ensued on the score of expense and supervision. The chairman said the baths would be available to the public during certain hours,.fees being payable to the caretaker. If children from other schools used the baths, under supervision, fees for them would be payable to the School Committee, and used as a set-off to the £5O. Ultimately the matter was referred to a small special committee, the Primary School Committee representatives being the chairman and the headmaster. After discussion, it was agreed that provided the programme is a suitable one, the offer be accepted. Appreciation was recorded of the action of Hodgsons Motors, Ltd., and its staff, in so promptly assisting in connection with an acdident that occurred recently at the school. Special reference was made to the driver of the bus.

ITie chairman reported the formation by the headmaster of a drum and fife (band at the school, and the proposal to form a band from among the older children.—Approved.