SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1395, 3 December 1884, Page 2

SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held in the Library on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Hardy (chairman), Broadbent, Haslett, Fletcher and Oxley. file master reported the attendance for the last m -nth, 130.6 ; last week, 140 9 ; highest attendance, 144; No. on roll, 186. There were still a number of children who should be in attendance, but the accommodation was not sufficient oven for the present number. The gymnastic apparatus requires repairs, and the pump is again out of order. The Chairman reported the reason why certain of the children did not attend school, and it was decided to leave the matter alone for the present.

The master was instructed to write to the Drill Instructor re repairs to the gymnasium, and Mr Breadbent was requested to see to the pump. On the motion of Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Oxley, the Chairman was requested to write to the Board of Education and ask for either a side school or some consideraole additions to the present build-

It was decided to close the school for Christmas holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 24th, and to re-open on Wednesday, Jan. 21st.

It was resolved that on the opening day the children should have a picnic, when a number of prizes would be given for races etc. Inspector Edge reported as follows : The enrolment is about the same as it was last year, but the attendance of far too many of those whose names appear on the registrar is still very irregular. The accommodation afforded is certainly the most iuconvenien; of any school of the same size in my district, the greater part of the floor aaace in the main room being taken up with forms, desks, etc. The organisation, discipline, and order were, as on former occasions, quite as satisfactory as could reasonably f.be expected. The two boys present in the Sixth Standard failed utterly in arithmetic, but their other work was good and quite equal to the average, generally speaking. The children presented in the Fifth, Fourth and Third Standards were well prepared for examination. In the Second Standard there were far too many failures in arithmetic. Standard I. and the preparatory classes acquitted themselves very creditably. In most cases the exercise books were clean and carefully written. The examination showed the following result;—Percentage passed, 70 ; percentage of roll No. presented, 52; below Standard I, 60. The report was considered satisfactory, taking into consideration the bad accommodation and the irregular attendance of some of the scholars. A vote of thanks was passed to the teachers for the pains they had taken with the children. Accounts amounting to Ll 7 19s 8d were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.