SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

SYDENHAM. The monthly meeting of the Sydenham School 'Committee was held On Wednesday evening, there being present:—Messrs E. L. M’Kcon (chairman), 31. J. Duncan, A. G. Flicker, T. H. Butterfield, C. H. B. Poore, G. P. Taylor, 11. H. M'Caw and F. A. Fraylc. The chairman reported- that owing to the measles epidemic he had ordered the closing of the school for three wcoko. Tho chairman’s action was approved. Correspondence, was received from the Richmond School Committee with reference to tho reply it had received from the Minister of Education (tho Hon C. J. Parr), in staling that tho cleaning of large schools conld be done by women before and after school hours. It was decided to reply that the Sydenham School Committee opposed strongly any attempt to curtail any expenditure in connection with caretakers. It would be out of all reason to think that a woman could keep clean a school as largo as tho Sydenham School. Air J. Noble forwarded his resignation as second assistant master, following on his appointment of first assistant master. The inspectors, Messrs ,T. A. Valentine and G-. P. Graham, forwarded their report of the inspection of tho school. A paragraph of tho report road as follows:—"The head master and the members of the staff of tine school are to be congratulated on the fruitful results of their efforts during the past year. In spite oi tho adverse health conditions, affecting all our schools, hot one class in the school is backward, though of course less ground thah'tiimal lies been covered. Tho head _ master’s _ management is thoroughly effective and his influence is felt in every department. A striking feature is tho good feeling evident in every room, and the happy relations between teachers and pupils.” Messrs M’Caw, Butterfield and Duncan, the committees delegates to the School Committees’ (Association, reported favourably on various matters brought before tho association. _ They were pleased to report that the association was in a financial position.

At to-day's meeting of tho Canterbury Education Board tho Appointments Committee reported that letters had been received from the ttangiowi. behool Committee complainin<r of the .method adopted by the medical officers when examining the children and recommending the appointment of dentists and doctors to visit country centres at stated periods; also that medical lectures be given' in # the various school districts once a year to mothers concerning health matters. While agreeing to forward copies of the letters to the Department" the committee had pointed out that the Department was doing nil it could to meet the needs of children as regards medical and dental attention and there was no doubt that :is soon as dentists and doctors were available in sufficient numbers the desired services) would be given. The report was adopted.