FITZROY SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 2

FITZROY SCHOOL

QUESTION OF DOWN-GRADING. REPORT OF THE HEADMASTER. The monthly meeting of the Fitzroy school committee was held last night, when there were present Messrs. J. D. Robb (chairman), C. A. Voullaire, S. Quickfall, M. O’Donnell, R. J. Kibby, A. W. Nixon, R. H. Milne, S. D. Kibby and the secretary, Mr. E. Armitage. The headmaster (Mr. G. A. Lyall) reported that the average attendance for the month was 452'.02. During the period 15 pupils were admitted and eight withdrawn. The present roll number was 494. During the early part of the month there had been many cases of influenza, but during the last 10 school days the health of the children had been excellent, with a consequent improved attendance.

On November 9 Nurse Small visited the school, and on November 20 Mr. Reid, the department’s physical instructor, Spent some time with the teachers in Connection with physiology as it affected physical instruction. It was proposed to hold the annual sports on December 13 and the breaking-up ceremony on December 15.

The position created by the down-grad-ing of the school was again discussed and it was decided to forward the following resolution to the Minister of Education and the Education Board: “This committee protests strongly against the downgrading of the Fitzroy school and the consequent forced transfer of Mr. Lyall and Miss Walker’s loss of her position, Snd requests that the step be deferred for a year. The committee also desires to make an emphatic protest against the present iniquitous system of grading schools on average attendance.” The matter of marshalling the children on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester was discussed. Doubt was expressed whether any of the teaching Staff would be at New Plymouth on the date on account of the holidays. The members of the committee considered that the position was a difficult one but they were firmly of the opinion that the school would have to be represented, even if they themselves had to marshall the children. Mr. Lyall gave an assurance that all necessary arrangements could be made before the school broke up. 'The Scout committee met before the school committee meeting, Assistant-Com-missioner Coleman attending. The reports were received and discussed. The following visiting committees were appointed:—Cubs: December 3, Mr. Quickfill; December 10, Mr. Nixon; December 17, Mr. Voullaire. Scouts: December 5, Mr. Milne; December 12, Mr. Quickfall; December 19, Mr. Armitage. It was decided to request the borough council to cut the grass on the road outside the school. A letter of congratulation is to be sent to the'Hon. S. G. Smith congratulating hijn on his elevation to Cabinet rank. Messrs. Nixon and Milne were appointed a visiting committee for December,