SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORK

INFANT MISTRESS QUESTION.

MORE DENTAL CLINIC MATTERS.

A decision to enter a protest at the Taranaki Education Board’s decision not to appoint a new permanent infant mistress at the Stratford primary school till the new year was made at last nights meeting of the Stratford school committee. Those present were Mr. J. Morrison (chairman), Mrs. J. Petrie jun., Mrs. P Thomson, Messrs C. M. Lindop, F. K. Trimm, D. R. Turnbull, H. Vosseler and headmaster (Mr. L. J. Furrie) in his report stated the school reopened for the third term with an attendance of 492 of a roll of 519. Miss P. McCluggage and Mr. A. C. Walker, rationed teachers, replaced Miss M. Morrison and Mr. G. Wellington. The averages for the three weeks of the term were: 498.5 of a roll of 519; 504.5 of a roll of 523; and 494.8 of a roll of 525. The roll stood at 528. an increase of 18 since the opening. A few cases of minor sickness and accidents together with a few wet days reduced the average. Miss D. Moore, infant mistress, was appointed to a similar position in the Point Chevalier School, Auckland, ana would vacate her position at the end of the month. Miss Moore proved herself a very capable infant mistress and brought tact and sound judgment to bear on her .work. The Education Board had decided not to make a new appointment till the beginning of the new year, but appointed Miss K. McKenney as relieving teacher. . Everything was well in hand for the school’s annual ball. Practices had been worked in with the drill. . Mr. Morrison drew attention to the need for a settled occupant of the position of infant mistress. There had been five teachers in the position since 1927 and the appointment of a junior teacher to a position requiring, he thought, 20 years’ experience, was not fair to teacher or the children. Mr. Morrison thought it was time the school com'.iittees stood behind the Teachers’ Institute and made a protest He had taken up the matter with Mr. J. McAllister, who had stated the board was going to appoint a relieving assistant till the end of the term. Members discussed the question of protesting against a change in the staff in the middle of the term. It had been suggested to him that the Stratford committee was inconsistent in its protests against teachers being moved as it desired -a permanent teacher itself immediately, thus disrupting some other school. Members considered the school was the victim of the system. Mr. Furrie said it had been suggested that children could make headway just as quickly when admitted at six years of age as at five. They could not do that if they were not given a chance. A motion protesting against the Education Board’s decision not to appoint a new infant mistress before the new year was passed unanimously. The dental nurse’s report stated that Stratford and Douglas Schools had supplied patients, and under-school-age children from various parts of the district had been treated. A total of 184 fillings had been made, 29 teeth were extracted, 251 miscellaneous operations were performed and 45 six-monthly periods were completed. The committee considered the list of overdue subscriptions in connection with the clinic and granted exemption to cases considered indigent. Mrs. Thomson and Mr. Aitken considered that those whom it was considered would be able to pay, and did not, should have treatment refused their children. They were getting tired of issuing ultimatums at special meetings, said Mrs. Thomson. It was decided that accounts be placed in the hands of a collector.

Some of the swimming club had approached him about what arrangements could be made for the use of the school baths, mentioned the chairman in suggesting that the arrangements be the same as last year. The club had approached the principal of the High School also, said Mr. Trimm. The club would not have bothered with the primary school baths if they were able to secure others, considered the chairman. Mr. Furrie added that the High School baths possessed few facilities for any public swimming or carnival purposes and would not be very suitable for the club.

It was decided to leave consideration of the matter till next meeting, Mr. Morrison adding that any revenue from the swimming club would be acceptable. The Hon. R. Masters wrote in reply to a letter of welcome sent him by the committee. He added that his inspection of the educational systems of England, America and Canada had proved the New Zealand facilities to be second to none, so far as he had seen.

POPULATION MOVEMENT.

EFFECT UPON PRIMARY SCHOOL.

Continuous movement that was noticeable among a section of the town’s population had its effect upon primary school work at Stratford, emphasised Mr. L. J. Furrie, headmaster, in his report for the third term’s commencement to the school committee last night. Continuous movement was one of the factors creating retardation among those affected, said Mr. Furrie.

New scholars numbered 31 and 13 pupils had left since the school reopened. The new entrants were from Wellington, Puketaha (Te Awamutu), Waimihi (Main Trunk), Pukengahu, Whangamomona, Kohi, Wanganui, Shannon, Tangarakau, Marton, Tuhua (Taumarunui), Paparata, Kakaramea, Hangatiki and Huiroa. Pupils leaving had gone to Whangamomona, Palmerston North, Tahora, Cardiff, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Edgecumb, Aramoho and other places. The staff was doing its best, concluded Mr. Furrie, to lessen the effects of the charges by a close individual investigation of the work of the newcomers. Any detected weaknesses were given special attention. GENERAL ITEMS. Hall at Huiroa. The erection of a hall at Huiroa is being rapidly advanced and the committee contemplates holding a special conceit and dance on the opening night. Fancy Dress Hockey. A fancy-dress hockey match for the Boyle Shield will be played at Stratford between a men’s team and the Stratford Old Girls eleven on Thursday. The men’s team will comprise Sharrock, F. Young, C. Jury, S. Jury, Vincent, Adam, Boyle, Mclnnes, Clement, Skuse, Thompson and Claridge.