SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18492, 6 February 1930, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

W AIM AT AIT AL A meeting of the committee of the Waimataitai School was held last evening. Present—Messrs G. Benstead (chairman), A. L. Warsaw, W. Sotham, G. G. Lewis and W. D. Hume (secretary). Ex-Pupils’ Association. The chairman referred to the formation of an ex-Pupils’ Association of the school, final steps to form which had been taken the previous evening. Mr Benstead said that, altho' ’i the committee as a whole, had Urien no active part in the formation of the Association,** he was sure members would give any assistance they could, '.i required, in the matter of securing information as to the school’s early history, and in the matter of meeting initial expenses, if this was required. Mr Sotham outlined to the commitee the work already done in the formation of the Association. Regarding the suggestion made by Mr Benstead in regard to initial expenses, Mr Sotham said that the Association would be pleased, at the outset, to receive a small sum from the school committee. The sum of £l/10/- would be sufficient. Mr Benstead said he was sure the committee would willingly grant this 1 sum suggested by Mr Sotham, and on the motion of Mr Warsaw the committee agreed to grant the sum named. It was also decided to place a room in the school at the disposal of the Association, for their meetings. The committee decided to send short notes of congratulation to those expupils of the school who had gained success in their matriculation and senior scholarship examinations. This was agreed upon on the suggestion of Mr Sotham, who stated that such a course would serve as a means of stimulating interest in the newlyformed Association, by showing expupils that they had not been forgotten since leaving school. Headmaster’s Report. The headmaster (Mr R. A. Malcolm), reported that the school reopened on Monday, with a good attendance. Forty-seven new pupils were admitted and 18 had withdrawn, and in addition to the latter 85 of last . ear’s Standard 6 had left. The majority of these passed on to either the High Schools or the Technical College Consequently, the roll number, which was 764 at the end of last year, had now been reduced to 708, compared with 711 at the beginning of 1929, so that the present roll was quite normal. Mr Price, the new second assistant master, began his duties on Monday, as did the probationary assistants, Misses Pickering and Miss Newlands, also the probationers Miss Clements, Miss Hole, Miss Kay and Mr J. McAuliffe, all of whom gave promise of becoming useful members of the staff. Mr Malcolm said that he was pleased to be able to report that ; two boys, William Bailey and Lloyd j White, gained scholarships at the December examinations, while Jean Foote qualified for a junior free place. It was also pleasing to state that the school’s Junior cricket team won their competition. In conclusion, the report stated that the playground was being tarred and sanded, but owing to wet weather, there still remained some to be done. Satisfaction was expressed at the nature of the report, which was unanimously adopted. Correspondence. With erence to a letter from the commiti. . dealing with the painting of the interior of the school, the Canterbury Education Board wrote, stating

that the recommendations of Messrs Andrews and Bignell, the members of the Board who visited schools in South Canterbury, would be considered in March 1930, by which time it was anticipated that the whole of South Canterbury would have been inspected. Until then, the Board could not take any action respecting the committee’s application.—The letter was received. Miss M. L. Baird, of the teaching staff, notified the committee that the Education Board had granted her eleven months’ leave of absence to visit Home, from March 1. Mr Malcolm stated that he had made suitable arrangements with the staff, to carry on in Miss Baird’s absence. General. It was decided to write to the Borough Council, thanking them for having granted, free of cost, Ashbury Park and the Caroline Bay Hall, for the school’s annual sports meeting and prize-giving respectively, also for having provided “safety lines” adjacent to the school. Accounts amounting to £67/6/4 were passed for payment. TIMARU WEST. A meeting of the committee of the West School was held last night. Present:—Messrs W. H. Thomson (chair- < man), J. Norrie, W. Marshall, F. S. j Cave, G. A. Hutt, T. Segar, T. Currie, ' T. Palliser (secretary). Headmaster’s Report. The headmaster (Mr W. G. Burns) report is as follows: —The school opened with a roil number of 444. twenty pupils being admitted on opening day. The buildings had been thoroughly cleaned, and reflected great credit on the janitress. The following teachers had joined the staff for this year:— j Substitute assistant, Miss Ruby Waddell; probationary assistant Mr Alex S. Baird; probationers, Misses Glenice C. Bohm and Betsy L. White, and Messrs Robert C. Holmes and Cuthbert W. Reid. The pupils of the school were again attending the dental clinic for further examination and treatment. Several small matters required to be attended to, including transport for pupils attending the ; manual training centre. General. It was decided to write to the Edu- ■ cation Board in connection with painting the school library. The secretary was instructed to write a letter of thanks to the West | School Ex-pupils Association for their ; donation of £4/4/-, for school pur- . poses. [ The chairman said that the school L break-up concert had been most satis- . factory, and the staff and headmaster ; were to be congratulated, j Commenting on the headmaster’s report, the chairman stated that the janitress had made a splendid job of ■ cleaning out the school. In regard to , the piano, it was knocked about at the ■ back, and he suggested that a price [ be obtained from one of the repair shops for repairing the instrument.— > It was decided that the secretary in- ■ quire further into this matter. . * It was suggested that the swimming ! sports be held about the last Tuesday in February. i Mr Segar moved that a school picnic , be held, but that those who came ■ should provide their own meals, as it was unfair to expect the committee to supply food for all those who attended the function. An exception to this would have to be made in the case of the Orphanage boys, but it would cost very little ‘to provide meals for this small number. It was decided to hold the picnic on the first available Saturday in March, and that the place should be Temuka.

The question of holding an autumn flower show was discussed, members expressing the opinion that the idea ] was a good one. It was resolved that the matter be discussed further at the meeting of house-holders which is to be held shortly. The visitors, Mr T. Segar, and Mr T. Currie reported that they had visited the school, which they had found in a satisfactory condition. The grounds were in good order but a small amount of we* 'in*? was v Steps were needed to enable the tall windows to be easily cleaned. The report was adopted.