PRIMARY EDUCATION

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 13

PRIMARY EDUCATION

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD REMOVAL OF WEST END SCHOOL. GRANT FROM RE-BUILDING FUND. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. S. G. Smith (ehairman), Rev. J. L. A. Kayll, and Messrs. P. J. H. White, A. Lees, H. J. Eaves, R. J. Deare, H. Dempsey and F. H. Sims. It was agreed to devote £450 from the re-building fund to the cost of removing and re-modelling the West End School, and it was decided to call tenders for the freehold of the present site. In his report concerning his recent interview with the Minister of Education in Wellington, the chairman said the question of the removal and remodelling of the school had been very fully discussed, and the Minister seemed determined to adhere to the decision contained in the department’s letter in November, which meant that it would be offering only £5OO towards the cost, plus the proceeds of the sale of the site. However, the Minister agreed to again go into the matter with the department, and on the following morning the department agreed to find £lOOO, providing the board contributed £450 from its re-building fund, the proceeds from the sale of the old site to go towards the cost and any deficiency to be found by the department. The architect (Mr. 0. H. Moore) reported that he could make an immediate start with the work, but there was very little chance of having the building on the new site ready to open at the beginning of the New Year. Building programmes at Turuturu, Central and Ihaia were placed in that order at the head of the list of urgent works. Mr. Sims was authorised to report on the question of dental treatment for children in the Ohura district. THE DEPARTMENT AND TURUTURU The erection of an open-air type of school at Turuturu (Hawera) according to a plan submitted by the board’s architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) did not receive the approval of the department, and an interview’ with the Minister during his recent visit to New Plymouth did not alter the position. The matter was again brought liefore the department by Mr. Smith when in Wellington, and the result of his interview was the subject of a report to the board. After discussion it was decided that in view of the department’s attitude in again refusing the board’s request, application be made for a grant to cover the cost of three rooms and appurtenances on concrete foundations, with wooden walls and iron roof, in accordance with the department's typical plan, the structure to be erected on the site already acquired near the junction of the Waihi and Glover roads. Mr. Lees made the proposition. “The departmental officers are definitely opposed to the plan submitted by the board, and all efforts to have the decision reviewed were unavailing,” reported Mr. Smith. “The suggestion that the Fendleton type of school should be adopted was urged. In view of the promise made by the board to expedite the erection of a school at Turuturu, and the urgency I would recommend that under the circumstances application be made for a grant to erect an ordinary type of wooden school.” Mr. Lees said he now* wondered if the department was sincere. The board had been induced particularly to study the economic aspect, and there was a saving of practically £lOOO on the architect’s estimate compared with the type in vogue with the department. It would be remembered what a struggle the board had had in securing approval of Mr. Moore’s type of movable school, which had proved very suitable for Taranaki conditions and, being cheaper than other kinds, had sayed the department, he considered, hundreds of pounds. The department was making a big mistake in not adopting the plan and trying out this open-air school in Taranaki. South Taranaki residents were very keen on its adoption. The Fendalton design might not be suitable hero, but the position was that a school of some sort was needed at Turuturu. Mr. Smith: It has been found that where the sun shines on the desk in the open-air schools, it is the custom to draw down the blinds. Mr. Moore’s plan obviates the necessity for that. The department advised that grants had been approved for the erection of latrines at the Central and Hawera schools and for chip heaters for the residence at Awatuna. The department notified that the Saturday classes for teachers would not be held during 1927, but that short intensive courses in agriculture, drawing, ete., would be approved. The Public Works Department had requested the Power Board to remove the overhead wires from the Te Roti schoolgrounds, advised the Minister of Education. EXTRA WORK AT WESTOWN. Mr. H. F. McClune, the headmaster of the Westown School, was anxious to take up additional manual work, and he sought the co-operation of the board, said Mr. White. A number of parents had promised material, and it was suggested that donations might be asked and a Government subsidy obtained for the erection of a shed. Mr. Smith said they had to be careful in these matters. West End also wanted a shed. Tl>e senior inspector: It would be a good thing if every school had them. Mr. Smith: But we have to draw the line somewhere. Otherwise where will we end? Mr. Deare pointed out that Westown was an observation school. Mr. White explained that he had outlined a proposition to Mr. McClune that would involve no cost to the board. He did not think the board should be put to any expense. It was decided to inform the school committee that £ for £ subsidy would probably be approved on donations received for building a shed. The question of the control of the Stratford manual building and classes was referred to a sub-committee comprising the chairman, Mr. Lees and the Rev. J. L. A. Kayll. A grant for an open-air classroom at the Central Infants’ School had been refused, reported the ehairman. On his recommendation it was decided to apply for a grant for additional accommodation. At the request of the department it was decided that the boards building staff should undertake certain work at the Boys’ High School boarding-house, provided it did not interfere with filling the usual requirements of the primary

schools. An application for 220 desks and furniture for the new classrooms at the boys’ and girls’ high schools had been mentioned by the department with a view to the board undertaking their manufacture, added Mi - . Smith. The department is to be asked for a grant to replace the school at Rotokare recently destroyed by fire and to bear the cost of transporting to the site for •temporary use a movable building from Kapuni. The need for more accommodation at the Pihama School was urged in a letter from Mr. P. S. Rielly. The public hall was being used at present, but contemplated alterations would prevent classes being taken in it, and it was hoped work on the school would be completed during the holidays.—lt was left in the hands of the chairman to make the necessary application to the department if he found the average attendance warranted such a step. STAFFING SCHOOLS WITH 40 PUPILS The point that it was more desirable to consider the average roll rather than the average attendance in the staffing of schools with about 40 pupils was stressed when a letter was received from the Minister quoting regulations on the matter, but no remedy for the trouble. Some indignation was expressed at his attitude, especially as the board’s view had already been fully explained when he was in New Plymouth. It was then urged that special conditions existed in Taranaki, where there was a moving population of eharemilkers. School attendances fluctuated through this cause and the board had asked for discretionary powers where a temporary reduction in the roll meant a hardship for teachers in grade 2 schools. We know the regulations well enough,” observed a member when referring to the Minister’s letter. It was decided the question should be discussed at the next conference of education boards. The finance and buildings committee reported that the architect would put in hand during the Christmas holidays the remodelling of the Uruti School. The architect had been given power to act regarding alterations to the Oaonui School, and the same officer was asked to deal with the question of drainage at Tokaora. The letter from the Raekohua committee regarding conditions at the school was referred to the chairman, and a complaint regarding sanitation at the Awakino School M’as referred to the committee for a report. Applications for - subsidies will be made to the department as follows, th© board to contribute the amounts indicated:— Arawhata, £2B; Durham, £2 (board liable for 8s 9d); Kiore, £3 10s; Okato, £-2 5s (£1 6s 9d); Newall, £l3 10s (9s); Purangi, £1 10s; Te Kiri, £74 12s 6d; Central, £150; Tataraimaka, £2B (10s 9d). On the recommendation of the reserves committee it was decided to grant the application of the Ngaere committee for approval of the request of the county council to round off the corner of the school site abutting on Cheat Road to improve the view for traffic, provided the alterations were completed to the satisfaction of the architect, and that there was no cost to the board. Seventeen irregular attendance notices were eent out during the four weeks ended December 12, reported Mr. George Pascoe. He had visited six schools and three parents had been summoned. Reporting on repairs and renovations carried out during the month, the architect said both school and residence at Ratapiko were completed and attention had been given at the Dudley, Rahotu, Oaonui and Mangorei Upper Schools. CHANGES OF TEACHERS Appointments of teachers were confirmed on the recommendation of the Senior inspector as follow:—Tarata, sole teacher, Mrs. E. R. Meuli; West End, infant mistress, Miss C. M. Robertson; Carrington, assistant, Mrs. A. I. Okey; Mangatoi, sole teacher, Mr. H. Donnelly. David T. Gardiner, sole teacher, Mere Mere; Miss Kathleen M. Shaw, assistant, Pungarehu; the positions of sole teacher at Oeo and sole teacher at Uruti to be re-advertised; the position of sole teacher at, Apatu and assistant at Tataraimaka to be held over. Substituted assistants were confirmed in their appointments as follow: Stratford, R. L. Hancock; West End, Miss M. Cameron; Fitzroy, F. A. Bruce; Eltham, Miss I. Richards; Centrol, Miss F. Worn; Central, T. B. R. Julian; Vogeltown, M. J. Robertson; Hawera, R. W. L. Irwin; Manaia, H. Clarke It was decided to apply for authority to appoint a grade I male assistant to Raekohua.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Agricultural work in the schools was reported on as follows by the senior instructor (Mr. R. G. Ridling):— Visits to the primary schools were continued throughout the month and it was found that the standard of work has somewhat improved. Delay in the planting of crops due to the unseasonable weather was everywhere apparent, but all preparations have been made and the work should be as successful as in previous years. Sixty-one schools were visited, and the reports show that an earnest effort to make agriculture an important factor in the school work is being made. Teachers realise that in this district, which is so largely dependent upon primary products, great educational facilities are available in a scientific handling of the work. The afforestation work is proceeding satisfactorily. The nursery work is proving more successful this year than ever, as the teachers and scholars have more experience. It is found that many of the children have asked for and obtained trees from the nurseries for planting at home, and one of the objects of the work—encouraging planting of trees on farms—is being fulfilled. Improvement to school grounds continues steadily. The Makaka committee is working to complete the plan of the work. The work at Te Kiri has been placed in hand and a commencement made. The pupils of the Mt. Messenger School deserve special commendation for their work. In difficult country they have formed and planted terraces and have even erected five chains of fencing to keep the horses away from their trees and gardens. Such work is stimulating and proves that teachers have a fine appreciation of the value of environment upon child development. Satisfactory progress is being made with the work in the secondary schools and the final examinations are being held. The Saturday classes for teachers ceased on November 20. Satisfactory work has been conducted and 25 practical certificates will be granted to teachers who have satisfied the instructor: that they are sufficiently qualified. Mr. IV. S .Austin, departmental inspector, visited this district on November 15 and 16. The schools in the north and central areas visited in company with the instructors were Mangorei consolidated, Egmont Village, Huiroa and Toko.

WOODWORK AND COOKERY. The manual supervisor (Mr. Ridling) reported that the conduct and attendance at the woodwork classes had been good, and the pupils’ interest in the work was greater than at any other period during the year. This was largely due to the more informal character of the work and to the greater facility in the use of tools that had come with more practice. A display of the work done at the Stratford centre was made at the A. and P. Show on December 1 and 2. The work in the cookery classes had pioeeeded satisfactorily. General improvement in the work was reported, and the Inglewood School had been specially mentioned for the high standard they had attained. The manual committee recommended that subject to the department’s approval Mrs. L. Rankin should be appointed permanently as domestic science instructress, with headquarters at Hawera. The question of the removal of the shed at the Hawera manual building was left to the chairman, with power to act.