GRADE RESTORED

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 2

GRADE RESTORED

WESTOWN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. An increase in the roll number, which is now 276, being more than sufficient to place the school back into grade 5 from which it had been dropped to grade 4c last year, was the gratifying news reported at the monthly meeting of the Westown school committee last night. Tne average attendance for the previous term was 245 and for the present term it should be considerably higher. As an average attendance of 241 is required for the school to *>e grade 5, the raising of the grade should be assured. Aylward (chairman), V. C. Davies, F. W. There were present Messrs. L. T. Marsden, K. N. Andrews, G. W. Turnbull, J. Garcia and J. W. Darby (honorarysecretary). Mr. .W. F. Gilligan (headmaster) and Mr. Hedges (Scoutmaster) attended. Sci»utmaster Hedges reported that during the past month the roll number had been well maintained The Scouts had been busily engaged ill practising for the combined concert which was to be held in aid of the school at the end of ?tne jnpnth. Dr. D. E. Brown, district commissioner, notified that it was proposed to revive the district association for supervision of Scouting matters in North Taranaki and the committee was asked to appoint two permanent representatives. Messrs. J. M. Poynter and F. W. Marsden were appointed. The average attendance for last term was 245. S reported the headmaster, Air. W. F. Gilligan. This term there had been 14 admissions, making a total roll number of 276. That had meant a rearrangement of classes in three rooms. Several of the rooms now had over 50, comprising two classes. His own class comprised 52, which gave very little opportunity of spending time in other rooms. The fancy dress ball before the holidays was apparently enjoyed by r all and he thanked the women’s committee and others who assisted. The cricket season had commenced and the boys were very keen. The amount of material was not nearly sufficient and he would like to have that increased if possible. . It was pointed out in the course of discussion that, including the headmaster, there were six teachers on the staff, making aq average of 46 pupils per teacher. There were three classes of 55, 52 and 50 respectively, two of them composite.

It was decided to place the position before the Taranaki Education Board and ask that another assistant be appointed. It was reported that the ball had shown a profit of £l2 6s. Members considered that was very satisfactory and teachers l^'\w . parents and all who had assisted were thanked. The Taranaki Education Board notified that the application of the committee for permanent increased accommodation had been deferred, pending ascertaining whether the roll number in the infant department would increase during the next term. • TT r* The grounds supervisor, Mr. V. U. Davies, reported that the grounds were in good order and that the hedges and shrubs were receiving attention.