EDUCATION BOARD’S TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD’S TOUR

SOUTH' TARANAKI SCHOOLS

SATISFAFCTORY RESULTS SEEN. GROUNDS CAREFULLY KEPT. The Taranaki Education Board membera concluded their three-day tour of Bchools yesterday, when ten schools were visited. Mr. A. Lees accompanied the party on the first portion of the journey, which included five schools south and east of Hawera. Altogether 350 miles were covered during the three days and the members made an inspection of districts which had not been visited for a considerable time.

The first school seen yesterday was at Ohangai, where Mr. P. Sheahan, chairman, and Messrs. Phillpotts, Lee and Tidswell -met the board. Mr. Sheahan extended a. welcome and said he would like to see the members more often as there were often many things that the head teacher, Mrs. Sangster, required. He was pleased that the carpenters had commenced work on the school repairs. . . . Mr. Dempsey, addressing the children, referred to the picturesque grounds and the happy-lopking children and said that they were very fortunate- in having such good teachers .as Mrs. Sangster and Miss Guppy. He complimented the teachers on their good work and hoped they would continue their progress. He also congratulated Mr. Sheahah on the great interest he took in ’ the school. I

An inspection was made of the rooms, the walls of which Were well adorned . with suitable photographs. The school forestry plots and a plantation of 600 trees were' viewed and much admired. - It was mentioned'that there was a lack Of. accommodation for the school exhibits taken to =the. shows and that no subsidy had been received on the lib- • rary cupboard. . The board promised to give these xnatters consideration, Mr. Lees expressing appreciation of the excellent way the committee was caring for the grounds. PROBLEM OF ACCOMMODATION. A portable building housing 17 children was Seen at Meremere, where the accommodation question was a pressing one. The ch.'rman, Mr. Williams, said he would like to see an. additional room made perniament as there was an attendance of 41 and this qualified them ■ for the extra room. The school roll was likely to' be maintained. Minor ’ improvements required at the headmaster’s residence, were noted. ’ The need for ’an additional playing area was discussed at Whakamara. The present site is but an acre in extent

and Mr. Scott’s paddock adjoining has to be used as a playing field. It is proposed to acquire two acres. Negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily.-A new school is a further need, the present building being very old and delapidated. Here again a portable building is doing service temporarily. :’Mr. Lees -explained that the board .was doing its best to obtain a new building as soon as money was available, and now that the site was practically arranged no doubt the erection of the building would be expedited. He 'thanked ’ Mr. Scott for allowing the children to play on his field. Mr. Buchanan, the headmaster, said they were* all looking forward to a new scfiool. The great improvement that had taken place in the grounds was' commented on by the board members. Mr. Dempsey remarked that Mr. Buchanan was a former pupil of his and he was pleased to see him making such progress in his profession. In the school was a splendid collection of pictures of historical events, forming a useful medium of teaching outstanding events in history. The school’s successes in the Bennett- and Sutton Cup contest were seen in an, array of. certificates. The weekly attendance record was another creditable display. Last week 100 per cent, attendance. was registered. Mr. Buckrell and Mr. Potter, of the school committee, welcomed the board. MOKOIA COMPLIMENTED. The well-kept school grounds at Mokoia were the subject of, a compliment by Mr. Lees, who expressed the board’s appreciation of the committee’s work. Mr. D. S. Richardson, chairman, pointed out certain improvements proposed, including, the planting of a shelter hedge ■where the pine trees had been cut down. A new shelter shed was required, also, a subsidy on several email improvemente to* the grounds. He stated that the roll was 37 and he thought they should soon have an additional teacher. It was very difficult for one teacher to teach so many classes, Mr. I<ees explained that the board had been endeavouring to obtain some discretionary power in such cases but they were bound down by fast rules of the department. He said the board appreciated the generosity in allowing the use of his field as' a playing area, i ' Mr. Jones, commented that the child- ' ren were the brightest he had seen that morning and Mr. Dempsey complimented the teacher, Mr. Kibblewhite, on his work.

A plasticine model of a boxing ring, witli two contestants, their seconds and the referee, was an interesting exhibit seen at Whareroa. The teacher, Miss McCormack, said that this was done by one of the boys to represent the Donovan-Sarron fight. Many other examples of school handicraft were seen displayed in ti e room where 26 children are receiving instruction. A bowl flf chrysanthemums on each desk denoted that an artistic atmosphere was being created. Mr. Gibson, of the committee, expressed pleasure at the board’s visit. O’n the party passing through Okaittwa. a brief halt was made to inspect the cracks which were developing in the concrete walls. The architect said he would endeavour to remedy the matter. A heating system is also to be provided. The excellent garden and well-kept grounds drew the admiration of the visitors, who considered Okaiawa to be one of the show schools of the province. NEAT AND CHEERFUL. Hi'di up on the mountain side stands Maka.ka school. Its grounds are neat and attractive and the outlook is one of cheerfulness and cleanliness. The improvements have been wrought owing to the energies of the committee, who were complimented on the great changes that had been made. Further hedge planting, and other, improvementfi are proposed, the committee offering to do the work 'if the board will assist with

material. A bed'of dahlias, school forestry plots, neatly-trimmed lawns and a basketball area were other conspicuoufl features.

Mr. A. F. Cuff, chairman, and three committeemen were present, and they were complimented on the way they cared for the grounds. The teacher, Mr. Hancock, stated that there were 19 onvthe roll. A request for chairs for I use at. committee meetings was declined, but it was agreed to provide a suitable form, which would be uspful for other purposes as-well. The lining of the porch would also be favourably viewed, it was stated. Ragwort waa very serious on the school property, declared Mr. Cuff, who asked if the board would be prepared to supply the new solution which was said to be an effective 'destroyer of the •weed.

It was explained that the board would consider the policy of treating all its properties if the preparation were found to be effective. The school at Rowan was found to be’ in excess of requirements. Some time ago an additional room had been added to meet the increasing attendance, but the attendance, had declined to 30 children, and now one room was not in use except for such purposes as folk dancing instruction or for dramatic work. The Mahoe school roll at present stands at 59, said the chairman, Mr. Cave, in urging that a system of heating be installed without delay. It was one of the highest situated schools in the province, and was at times very cold. The committee had undertaken a lot of new concreting work, he said, and their account was £9 in. deficit. The grounds had been well cared for, and the flower beds and shrubs set off the surroundings to advantage. The chairman pointed out that there was no level ground for a football field, and he wondered if it would be too costly to level a portion. This, however, was regarded by the board members as impracticable. Mr. Carroll and his assistant, Miss Lawn, made a few small requests. The new tennis courts at the Cardiff school were the principal features of this school. These had been laid down some

time ago and were a most valuable- acquisition to the district. The roll at Cardiff is 49, the staff consisting of two, Miss Small and Miss Were. Mr. Shannon, chairman of the committee, was present to welcome the visitors. Thirty-two children receive instruction at Waingongora, where Mr. E. C. Coleman is in charge. This school has no level playing area, and the matter of levelling a portion is the subject of consideration. Already the immediate vicinity is being prepared for paths, and tree planting around the grounds is in view. An attendance competition between the boys and the girls is being conducted by the teacher, and each week a red star is recorded on a wall chart for those with the highest percentage. The -boys are at present leading by two stars.

Mr. O’Sullivan, chairman, attended to welcome the board members, who reached this, the final school of the tour, only 20 minutes behind sechduled time, although several delays had been experienced during the day.