DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

Temuka Leader, Issue 10848, 7 May 1932, Page 3

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

NEW CO3IMITTEE MEETS RAISING OF SCHOOL AGE DISCUSSED GERALDINE, Tuesday. 'Elio Hrst meeting of the recently elected School Committee of the Geraldine District High School was held this evening. In the absence of the chairman (Canon J. F. Courser!, Dr. G. W. Curtis was voted to the chair. There were also present: Messrs E. P. Bennett, G. R. Knibb, A. V. Wright, D, Pringle, A. M. Fyfe, J. J. Wylie, and Dr. L. C. Mail. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £lO 11s 2d. .it was decided to pay an account of £ll 11s which inti been owing to .Mr 111, Undrill for some time, for providing 'bus transport tor pupil;-;. Mei>t!nmstet’’s Report Tlie headmaster (Mr A. F. Barren) reported Unit I tie school had been inspected by Inspectors A. McNeil, J. W. Irwin and C. N. Kashi m, and favourable comment bad been made on the ground improvements. The roll number of the secondary department was 92, with an average of 88; and in ihc primary department 2-jS. with-an average of 2 IP, Anzac Day had been observed by the bolding of a short service for both primary ami secondary pupils. Ex-pupils had also been represented. Two new mats weie retfuired for the primary department. Mr 11. V. Firman continued to give voluntary instruction in magnetism and electricity to the senior secondary pupils, and the staff and committee were greatly indebted to him. The committee was indebted to Messrs C. C. KuighT and A. J. Bell for making arrangements for Std. FI. to hear the educational programmes broadcast from Wellington on Tuesday afternoons. It was with regret that the headmaster reported the death of Stuart Lawson, one of the secondary pupils, after a short illness. The matter of purchasing two mats was left to Mr E. I’. Bennett. The report was adopted. The question of a grant to the school's sports funds was raised, and it was decided to donate £2 2s. Sub-Committees Appointed The following sub-commitlees were elected: Works Committee; Dr G. W. Curtis (chairman), Messrs 1 >. Pringle, A. M. Fyfe and A. V. Wright. Dental Clinic Committee: Canon ,1. F. Coursey, and Messrs E, B, Bennett and A. M. Fyfe. Finance Committee: Mr E. B. Bennett (chairman), Dr. L. C. Mail, Messrs J. 'Wylie and C. R. Knibb. Raising School Age The headmaster said that the Bill proposing to raise the school admittance age from five to six years had been introduced in tlie House, If the Bill became lav/ the position would be very serious for people with young children. Personally, he thought it would be very dillicult to pass the Bill. As far as the Geraldine School was concerned, it was well up in Grade IV. C, but the increase in the school, age, and consequent debarring' of children of five years of age, might mean that Die school would lose a | teacher. | The chairman said Unit the inI crease in the school ago would not 1 be a very great saving as far as

lie Impa r t nit'ji I was concerned. I V';H! headmaster said that the . id in,d .subsidy lor pupils led, j'jcu withdrawn by the Department, uid the parents of Uiree children Uiciuuiuv tho school would hav. ; to | veeive tuition by correspondence. The chair man; "i think the cor■cspimduiice system is absolutely jt upitl." Tlie headmaster; “it is a tremouToiis drawback to people with young children,'’ There was no further discussion. ■ (Amoral Canon .1. F. Coursey and -Mr E. P. Bennett were appointed the Msitiug committee for the month. Mr Pringle suggested that tho annul itiee should endeavour to raise funds to pay tM still owing for timber for llic new lootbridge :it the Wilson street crossing over :he Waibi river. About K! children j used the bridge daily. Mr Knibb said that it had been ■suggested that the School CommitIra 1 sliould write to Ihe Borougn Council asking for a donation. The Ceraldine County Council bad play* ?d its part, as it had carried out the necessary pile-driving tree oi cltarge. The headmaster intimated that be would appeal to the parents to assist in the matter.