SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 October 1926, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

TIMARU WEST.

A meeting of the Timaru West School Committee was held on Wednesday night, when there were present—Messrs x. Currie (chairman;j T. Palliser, IS. Vincent, F. Clave, W. Anderson, T. G. Holland, and Mesdames Norrie and Feild. A letter was received from the Education Board recommending that owing to th e school attendance rapidly growing, steps should be taken to provide an additional room, plans to be drawn, up Jiy the architect and submitted to the Education Department for a grant to carry out the proposed work. Air Caider, acting head-master, in his report said that the attendance had been very good except in the infant classes, where there had been a prevalence of whooping cough. Regarding cricket material the headmaster was instructed to purchase same.

Accounts amounting to £ls 3s 8d were passed lor payment. When Air Pearson's presentation was made, a presentation was also made to Dorothy Blair, for being the 500th pupil to enter the school. The present, which was given by Air AV. Anderson, was a beautiful book. Mr E. Vincent, of tlie visiting committee, .said lie had visited the school during tbe week, and he found that everything was progressing smoothly. Messrs T. G. Holland and r l. Palliser were appointed for the Visiting Committee next month. It was decided to give a reception tion to the newly-appointed headmaster (Air Burns), to take the form of a social evening. The gala day, it was stated, had been very successful, and showed a credit balance of £7O 16s 7d.

WAIMATAITAI. The monthly meeting of the Wainiataitai School' Committee was held on Wednesday evening. Present. —Alessrs G. Bensteiiu (chairman), R, Littlejohn, S. G. AlcGlelland, A. L. Lamb, T. E. tioldgate, W. D. Hume, and R. Watson. '1 lie chairman welcomed Air W. D. Hume to the Committee, and hoped that hi s stay on tho committee would lie in the best interests of the school. Air Hume had been appointed to take up the position as secretary, a position which he was sure he would cany out in a worthy manner. Air Hume returned thanks for the welcome extended him.

With regard to the proposed school library, the chairman said that if the headmaster’s suggestion, proposing that a few shelves should be erected, and the' major amount of the money be spent on books, it would be in the best interests of the school. It had been proposed to spend mi to £2O on the book cupboards, but it would be much bettor if more money was sent on books, and less on the furnishings. Tbe headmaster said lie had sent in a list of good educational books which would be of great advantage to the education of the senior scholars. Tho list would cost- about £2O, which was nothing to what lie would like to have ordered.

Air McClelland said that if they were purchasing such good books it would be advisable to spend a little nwro -iioney and have the hocks properly housed in cupboards. He moved that the sub-committee go ahead with the proposal to provide a. school library, and that the books be properly housed in cupboards. This was carri cd. Tho headmaster, Air G. A. Turner, reported for the month as follows: The average attendance for the quarter ended September 3, was 648. The average roll for the same period was 722. This represented an average attendance of about 90 per cent. This low average was due to the prevalence of influenza, which at one period practically reached the epidemic stage l lie present roll was 740, an increase of 23 since tile vacation. They had -eceived from the local education workshop three class room tables and tlireo easels. The desks requisitioned should arrive shortly. He was pleased to report that as a result of the teacher’s social, there was a clear credit balance of £4O 10s Bd. If the committee so desired it was proceed to bold a parents’ day on October 20, w.ien parents would he welcome to see too inside working of the school, and at the same time meet the staff. The chairman said it was very pleasing fo see that tbe attendance was on the improve. The teachers’ social bad been an unqualified success, and they were to be congratulated on the success of the function. The committee appreciated the promptitude of the Education Board in forwarding the requisitioned furniture in such a short time. Tho proposed parents clay would he ail innovation in the history of the school. This had been decided at the annual meeting of householders, and he was sure it would be a success. It was decided to advertise that a parent’s day be held on a suitable date to be arranged. . ~ , Mr McClelland said be bad visited thn school and bad found everything in first-class order. He advocated the installation of drinking fountains.. The chairman said that drinking fountains had been installed in a new school somo time ago, but were found to be unsatisfactory, and removed. The question of providing clean drinking facilities for young children was a matter that should be brought before ihe notice of the Hdaltli Department B'^-ird. it, was decided to write to +b<- Education Board asking for particulars of the latest drinking facilities for school use. . It was also floeiVlecl. to coiyinninicate with the Health Department, suggesting that the present method of drinking should he superseded by something nice modern and hygcnic. It was decided to hold the school spo-ts on November 2Q. The headmaster made reference to the teachers’ social, and said the committee's thanks were due to Alessrs Vanglian. Bowev. MeLniudihin. Marshall. Henderson', Lignins. Taylor, ■Rankin and Hutton, and Co., for aspi*.imico rendered in molcing tlic soeial such a success. Accounts amounting to £22 6s 8d were jftlssed for payment.