SCHOOL MATTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20126, 20 April 1928, Page 3

SCHOOL MATTERS

NORTHERN COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS EXCEED VACANCIES. The annual meeting of householders in connection with the Queen’s Park, Keith Street, and St. John’s Hill Schools will be held on Monday at 8 p.m. at the Queen’s Park School. The new committee will be elected and for the nine vacancies 15 nominations have been received. The following is the list of nominations: Messrs A. M. Bateman, W. H. Bott, W. Bruce, C. E. W. Clarke, A. R. Donaldson, F. Galycr, E. H. Greager, R. J. Hillgrove, J. Moye, A. P. Ralph, C. D. Richardson, F. de T. Sampson, AV. Taylor, A. Webby and Mrs M. Siddclls jnr.

SOUTHERN COMMITTEE

REPORTS ON YEAR’S WORK The following report is to be presented by the Southern School Committee at the annual meeting of householders on Monday. During the early part of the year the committee < utlined a scheme for general improvements in a large way to the Avenue School grounds. It was decided to cut down and clear a number of trees that were both unsightly and detrimental; to plant a live hedge fronting Dublin Street and to pipe, drain, plough, level and sow down the whole playing area. Great thanks are due to the following gentlemen, who rendered very valuable assistance: Messrs N. C. Staveley (city engineer), J. H. Burnet, M. F. Hodge (Education Board’s officer), A. G. Bignell, J. S. L. Deem (city assistant engineer). Innumerable services were also rendered by the secretary (Mr A. H. Ross), and the grounds chairman (Mr AV. Al. AlcElwa i n) The teaching staff has been well maintained. The head teachers and stalls of both schools have done hard work, and have given every assistance possible in assisting to raise money. During the year Air Pcnnall resigned his position as baths caretaker to take up an appointment elsewhere, and Mr AV. Ross was appointed in his place. Ho has proved to be efficient, rendering excellent service in the training of children and adults to swim. During the season 133 children elarned to swim, of whom 27 swam a quarter-mile, and 59 a half-mile, which is a very creditable performance for any bath. In life-saving operations the results are very commendable. Six pupils obtained teachers’ certificates, three bronze medallions, seven their proficiencies, and 39 passed the elementary stage. During the past year the head teacher of the Central Infants’ School (Aliss Blennerhassett), her staff, and pupils, gave several very interesting functions at which large numbers of parents and the public were present. General improvement works have been carried out at a cost of several hundred pounds. The Avenue School, The headmaster of the Avenue School has prepared the following report: AVe have had a considerable amount of sickness, but on the whole the attendance has been quite satisfactory, the average for the first quarter being 496 out of an average roll of 533. Excellent progress has been made with the grounds. I forwarded to the secretary during the last two months £3 10s, the proceeds of a hall concert given by the “Sunbeams.” £1 for library books, and £l5 proceeds of stall.

AVe have just concluded a most Successful swimming season, the fine weather enabling the staff to do their best in this direction. Number of certificates issued: 133 beginners (across the baths); 64 learners (50yds.); 27 proficiency (220yds to half-mile); 59 merit cards (half-mile); life-saving certificates, 67. I think that the record for the school is 140 beginners. The grass in the grounds has been badly burnt out, and I recommend that part of the slopes be top-dressed and sown down. The boys could do this if the soil were carried for us. AA’e have filled in the holes with asphalt, and I think that any next effort will be in the direction of having the asphalt topdressed with bitumen.