THE SCHOOLS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20095, 30 April 1935, Page 9

THE SCHOOLS

ANNUAL MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS

SMALL ATTENDANCES The annual meetings of householders of the various school districts were held last night. No elections we re held, the committees having been appointed for two years, and as a result, attendances were small. TIMARU MAIN The annual meeting of householders of the Timaru Main School was held in the school last evening, Mr J. W. Preen presiding over a good attendance. Mr Preen expressed his satisfaction with the secretary’s report, and thanked all who were present for their interest in the school as there was no election this year. Mr Preen made mention of the alteration in the school age, and stated that that fact had been a great factor in the life of the school. He reviewed the report and balance-sheet (previously published), and thanked all for their assistance throughout the year. “I have been on school committees t for more than 20 years now and it seems to me that every year the Government,is curtailing both the power and money of committees,” said Mr Preen, “and I hope that the householders and parents will back us up in our attempt to get much of it back.” The report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion. A comprehensive vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to the following: The Ministers’ Association, Education Board, Headmaster and Staff, Jubilee Committee, Rev. J. Evans, Timaru Municipal Band, Mr Davidson. Mr Harley, Old Pupils’ Association and the newspapers. General Business. Mr Preen in referring to the dental clinic, stated that at the inauguration of the system the committees were required to find £ls each year for the nurse, which charge was increased subsequently to £3O. A few years ago this sum was found to be difficult to find, and a charge of 2/6 a year was made for treatment. Many parents were chary of sending their children, but he could assure them that they received skilled treatment. The chairman brought up the question of free bathing for children during the school vacations, and stated that he considered that swimming should be made compulsory in the schools. Suggestions as to various means of commemorating the King’s Silver Jubilee were put forward by Mr Preen, who stated that the Government had granted 4d a child in the schools, and he explained the necessity for impressing on the children the true meaning of the occasion. It was decided that the committee should purchase buttons commemorating the day and that the children should also be given a bun and an apple. The committee will provide a framed photograph of the King and Queen for the school, and on May 9 a Parents’ Day will be held. A motion “that the Government should be urged to reinstate at the earliest moment the subsidy on voluntary contributions to school committees,” was moved by the chairman and carried unanimously. With the object of raising funds for the school, it was decided to hold a gala day on Labour Day to be followed by a ball in the evening. TIMARU WEST At Timaru West School, Mr E. Laverty, chairman of the committee, presided over a small attendance. The chairman said that interest in the annual meeting was completely overshadowed by the municipal elections, but the committee could take the small attendance as a compliment, the non-attendance of householders signifying their satisfaction. Annual Report The twelfth annual report stated that the past year has been one of steady progress. The conduct of the school and the work generally has been of a very high standard. The committee placed on record its high appreciation of the fine work of the headmaster, Mr H. C. Romans, and his staff in maintaining the efficiency of the school. The committee acknowledged its indebtedness to the Borough Council for supplying milk during the winter months. The gift of cocoa by the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) was much appreciated by the children who were served with warm drinks during the winter months. During the year the school maintained the increased roll of the previous terms and it had now been placed in Grade 7. Having the school in this grade was a decided advantage for besides receiving increased capitation, an extra Grade 2 male assistant had been appointed to the staff. This was of great importance to parents and it was to be hoped the grade could be maintained. Though there were some changes in the personnel during the year these were not so marked as in previous years and the high standard of efficiency reached and the excellent results in the annual examinations showed the advantages of a stable staff. At the end of the year Mr G. Calder retired on superannuation after many years faithful service to the school. He was not allowed to leave without some tangible evidence of the appreciation of his splendid work as first asistant. The committee extended best wishes to Mr and Mrs Calder. The school environment was being steadily improved and the general appearance of the school and grounds was most attractive. The boys’ playing area would be the next part to receive attention and it was hoped that in time this would be levelled and well grassed. This would entail a fair expenditure. The Dental Clinic continued to do excellent work, over 400 pupils receiving treatment last year. No appeal for funds had been made and no charge was levied, contributions being gratefully received. School sporting activities were not neglected and in all branches the school took a leading part. Football teams were entered in the senior and junior grades and though none was successful all acquitted themselves creditably. The school won three out of the four in which they competed at the seven-a-side tournament. Four teams competed in the town basketball competitions and had a successful year. The teams entered in the six-a-side reached the finals indicating the high standard of play. The school took part in the inter-school swimming competition and were again runners up to Waimataitai who won the shield for the first time. The school won the Hallenstein Bros., Ltd., inter-school challenge cup which will be held for one year. The staff concentrated on the teaching of the lower classes to swim and over 100 certificates were gained by the pupils. At a flag-bridge evening £lO was raised. In March, the retiring president of the Women’s Guild, Mrs Palliser, was

made the recipient of a gift from the Guild. The committee wished to record its appreciation of the assistance given by the staff, Women’s Guild, Ministers’ Association, and to all helpers. The treasurer (Mr G. H. Ferguson) gave a resume of the year’s income and expenditure. He explained that although a good balance was shown the committee would be involved in the usual heavy expenditure during the winter, and he hoped that when the annual appeal was made the response by parents would be as satisfactory as last year. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that although the committee did not aim at ending the year with a surplus, it did not intend to leave a deficit as a legacy to an incoming committee. The headmaster (Mr H. C. Romans) emphasised the necessity for improving the boys’ playing area and suggested that any surplus money should be used for that purpose. The motion, which was seconded by Mr R. W. Marshall, was carried. Thanks Extended The chairman moved a comprehensive vote of thanks which embodied the assistance given by the Ladies’ Guild, the Borough Council for supplying milk, the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) for his free gift of cocoa, the Canterbury Education Board for its assistance and co-operation and to all helpers and friends. The question of funds for the dental clinic was raised by Mr T. C. Palliser, who said that this service should receive more liberal support from parents. Mr Palliser’s remarks were endorsed by Mesdames F. Osborn and G. H. Ferguson. The chairman paid a tribute to the headmaster and his staff for the fine work accomplished during the year. Mr .Romans thanked the chairman and the committee for their willing co-operation. Mr Palliser moved a vote of thanks to the committee for its good work, the motion being carried by acclamation. TIMARU SOUTH There was a very moderate attendance at the South School last night, when the annual meeting of householders was held. The chairman of the school committee (Mr A. H. Wyatt) presided. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the latter showing a credit of £B/9/-, the chairman expressed disappointment at the poor attendance, and emphasised the need for a much keener interest on the part of householders in the affairs of the school. He deplored the fact that the only interest they shewed was in the annual election, which showed that they were interested only in the committee and not in the children. To his mind, the school should hold as much interest for parents as did the municipal elections. He also referred to the fact that the ex-pupils had claimed the old school bell, and had erected it in an attractive belfry on the site of the old school. Another point referred to by the chairman before concluding was the difficulty the committee had experienced in carrying on the affairs of the school. He pointed out that the committee received from the Education Board by way of Incidental allowances the sum of £146, but it had cost them £9O above this sum to run the school and provide the necessary benefits for the children. Members present deprecated the smallness of the incidental allowances, and urged that steps be taken to remedy the position. The chairman remarked that the matter would come up for discussion at the annual meeting of the School Committees’ Association, when a strong protest would probably be made. A question was asked in regard to the non-issuing of attendance certificates last year/ The chairman remarked that.no reason had been given by the Board, but the matter would be taken up by the committee. In regard to the celebrations at the school on Monday next, the chairman said that suitable arrangements had been made to celebrate the King’s jubilee. A tree-planting cermony would be carried out by the senior pupils at the school, after which they would attend the public service at King George’s Place.

A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman for presiding.