GOVERNMENT OF SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1933, Page 8

GOVERNMENT OF SCHOOL

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. STRATFORD HOUSEHOLDERS MEET. The annual meeting of the householders of Stratford was held last night in the Stratford school, the Mayor (Mr. Percy Thomson) presiding over a fair attendance. The year had ben successful in the progress of the school and the results attained by the staff, stated the committee’s report. A large portiwi of the time of activity of the child was outside school hours, and occasional complaints showed that a laxity of parental control existed in a few quarters. The committee appealed to parents to assist the worthy efforts of the staff. The year was one of anxiety but the committee had, by a policy of rigid economy, improved its position, and was nearly clear of the deficits caused by the previous grounds improvement policy. The grounds had been maintained, but much remained to bj done. What was once a gully was now a playing field, hedges and trees on Fenton Street had been replaced by a neat fence and hedge and between the two schools an ugly hollow was filled and asphalted for an assembly ground. Recent committees succeeded in getting the primary depart-* ment remodelled on healthy and pleasant lines and in having the whole school heated by circulating water, electrically heated. During the year the tiles on the main school, which proved unsuitable for the climate, were removed and replaced with iron. The children were free from epidemics and the cleanliness of the school was a marked tribute to the efficiency of the janitor, Mr. C. Rowson, to whom the thanks of the committee were due. The dental clinic functioned well, large numbers of children from the Stratford school and seven country schools having had periodical attention to the teeth. Some Stratford parents neglected after frequent requests to pay the small fee necessary, and so deprived their children of the service. The baths were more popular and the committee endeavoured to make them of public benefit and would welcome any practicable scheme to make the baths more in keeping with the needs of the town without sacrificing the requirements of the school. The balance-sheet showed receipts for the year of £367 18s lOd and expenditure £295 7s 7d, representing cash in hand £72 Ils 3d.

With regard to the lack of parental control referred to in the report, Mr. Thomson said that for a number of years parents had been prone to leave the upbringing of their children to teachers. “That is not as it should be. The primary source of moral training for a child is in the home,” said the chairman. By doing this parents would make the work of the teachers much easier.

The Mayor commented on the improvements to the school grounds. They had been looked forward to for a number of years. In the figures for the dental clinic Mr. Thomson said it was shown in a good financial position. The committee appointed was: Mesdames E. D. Petrie, E. G. Robinson, Messrs. P. Aitken, A. Ferguson, C. M. Lindop, J. Morrison, F. E. Trim, D. R. Turnbull, H. R. Vosseler. Mr. Carter was re-elected secretary. As there was not a full muster of the committee the election of a chairman was left until the next meeting. As a notice of motion Mr. P. Aitken moved that sub-committeees be appointed this year as in past years. IMPORTANCE OF ATTENDANCE EFFECT ON SCHOOL GRADE. POSITION AT STRATFORD SCHOOL. “The exclusion of the five-year-old pupils from attendance has resulted in a decrease in the roll below the safety margin for the grade of the school for the present at least,” said the headmaster of the Stratford primary school (Mr. L. J. Furrie) in his report to householders at the annual meeting at Stratford last night.

For the purpose of estimating the result of this legislation on the grading of the school, he said, it would be better to study the figures for 1931, 1932 and for the current year, and to deal with averages only, as it was upon this basis that staffing and financial calculations concerning the school were made. The roll number played a secondary part in the matter. The average attendance was the controlling factor.

The year closed with an average roll of 576 for the last term, and an average attendance of 525. The number admitted during the year was 212. This included 95 pupils entering school for the first time in primer 1. Of the latter number 86 ware between five and six years of age, while only nine were between six and seven years of age. This was ample evidence of the popularity of the lower age of entrance. Previous years showed a similar preference among parents for the entrance age of five. The average roll for 1932 fell to 537 for the last term, a loss of 39. The end of the first term of the year saw the last five-year-old pupil entered. The total number entered for the year was 119, compared with 212 for the previous year. Of this number only 34, compared with 96 for the previous year, were commencing for the first time. The year closed with an average attendance of 514—an exceptional percentage of 95.7 of the average roll. Until the end of April, 1933, the average roll was 471. Although the average for the first two terms of the school year would be sufficient to maintain the school grade, the next term would be the deciding term. If the average attendance fell below 481 for the three terms the school would suffer a fall in grade, with consequent disorganisation of staffing and lowering of school committee’s capitation. A further decrease in teaching power and an increase in size and combination of classes would result. Children who reached the age of six before August 18 would be eligible for enrolment and he hoped parents would enrol pupils at the earliest. The school would do its best to accelerate the young ones entering, so that the lost time could be caught up, but the chances of doing that diminished with decreased teaching power. As this would depend directly on average attendance, every half-day lost by irregularity would militate against success in the direction he had indicated. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. An old-time dance will be held in the Ngaere Hall on Thursday night by the Eltham troop of the (Legion of Frontiersmen. A free bus will run from Eltham at 8 p.m. ■