ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1414, 12 May 1886, Page 2

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of tho Ashburton School Committee was hold at the Borough School last evening. Present —Mosers D.mcan (Chairman), Dimaut, Elston, Sawle, Orr, and Siloook. APOLOGY. Tho Chairman apologised for the nonattendance of Mr Alox. Craighead. OOIUUiSI’ONDENOE. The following correspondence was road of Education, with regard to tho caretaker’s cottage : The action taken by the Chairman was approved of—(2) From the North Canterbury Board of Education, enclosing Inspector’s Report. INSrEOTOII's RFPOUT. Tho Inspector's Report was road as follows : Teachers Mr William H Kneon, headmaster ; Miss Emma Bean, fourth year pupil teacher ; Mr Benjamin Low, second year pupil teacher ; Miss Amv Harband, mistress; Miss Isabella William son, third year pupil teacher ; Miss Helen Barrett, third year pupil teacher; Mias Janet Dick, assistant mistress ; Miss Margaret Clark, infant mistress ; Miss Annie Meyenbarg, second year pupil teacher ; Mias Lucy Chapman first year pupil teacher. Ouo animation. Satisfactory Provision is made for teaching all the subjects required by the syllabus. In two of the classes more time should bo given to arithmetic. At present writing- is taken oa the first lesson of the morning, It would

bo butter to begin with the more d’.flicult subjects, and leave tho writing for a period immediately before a recess Tho Instruction given in my presence by tho oort : iica(od teachers w»i as follows :—By Mr Knoen very good ; by Miss Hatband very fair ; by Mias Dick fair ; by Miss Clark very fair. The mi pi I teachers give very fair promise < f becoming luseful teachers. On the second day of my visit I observed an oarneat effort on their part to carry out tho suggestions 1 bad given on the previous day regarding tho methods to bo adopted in teaching some of tho more important subjects. Order and Discipline. —Hood. The inside of the school has recently been painted, tho roof has been repaired, and improvements have boon made in tlity grounds and approaches. Altogether tinschool presented a very clean and tidy appearance, although the weather was most inclement.

L. B. Wood, M A , Inspector. lilt! TEACHING STAFF.

Mr Diinant said it Jwas exceedingly gratifying to receive even a fairly favorable report upon tho condition of the school. Ho thought tho Committee should convey some expression of their satisfaction to the teachers. Ho moved,

“ That tho teaching staff be complimented upon the very favorable report presented by tho Inspector.” Mr Git seconded tho motion. lie thought the tone of tho report was very satisfactory. Mr Stleock supported the motion, which, on being put was cat tied unanimously. master’s report, The Headmaster's report was read as follows 1 hive the honor to inform you the number of children on the roll for tho month of April is as fol ows Boys, 200 ; girls, 210; total. 410 ; the average attendance for same period : Boys, 141 ; girls, 139 ; total, 280 ; but as some cf the attendances do not count owing to wet weather, the working average is boys, 157 ; girls, 157 ; total, 314. Average —Considering the number on the roll tho average is not so large as it should be, and I must ask the Committee to send notices to the parents of children not making the requisite number of attendances. I submit a Hat of children who have not attended half tho number of times during the month of April, and who have not brought good excuses for their absence. Wet day hours—The regulations provide that tho school shall be open for instruction iar two hours in tho forenoon, and two hours in tho afternoon. On wot days, to prevent children from playing in the wet and mud during dinner hour, and to prevent a decreased attendance ic the afternoon, it is customary In nearly all schools in Australia and New Zealand for tho children to bring their lunches, and for school to bo carried on till 2p m. Tho custom is a good one, and is recommended by Inspector Wood I therefore apply for the Committee’s sanction to introducing it in this school. Prizas—lt was thought advisable by last year’s (Committee and 1 myself to postpone the annual distribution of prizes until about Easter. As the children arc just beginning to work to my satisfaction, 1 recommend tho presentation of prizes just before the midwinter vacation, and propose to raise the funds for such purpose by giving a school concert early in Juno, Library—l fail to see how a Library can be carried on with advantage, in tho school, but if tho Committee deem : it desirable I shall willingly attend to the institution of one after tho next Inspector’s Examination. Tho Committee, , of course, kuow that libraries are at present established in connection with the dillbront Sunday schools I have to ask tho.Coramitteo for a supply of coal, etc , and” goal p taka for football In the| i oya’ playground. The Inspector made bli annual “ surprise)” visit on the day of 1 ro-oponing after Easter —W. 11. Kneen. 1 IRREGULAR ATIENDANCE

Some discussion took phicc with regard to the irregular atteadauco of certain children. Ultimately It was resolved that the Chairman «houM consult with the Headmaster and send the notices provided by the Act to the pa-onia and guardians of children reported for irregular attendance wkt-dav nouns. On the motion of Mr Orr, It was resolved that the Headmaster’s suggestion in reference to Wet-day hours should bo adopted. PRIZES. Tho Headmaster's proposals with regard to distribution of prizes and school concert were approved of. LIDKAKY. It was resolved to allow the suggestion to establish a school library to remain in abeyance until after tho next Inspector’s ezamination. FUEL. Tho Chairman wa.s authorised to call for tenders and to accept one for a supply of fuel. MATERIAL. The Chairman was authorised to obtain material asked for in the Headmaster’s report. INCIDENTAL FUND. The Chairman reported that the Hampstead School Committee had declined to accept £lO in settlement of its claim upon the incidental fund. Ho had seen Mr Mayo, the Chairman of tho Hampstead Committee, and explained to him the actual position of the fund. Mr Mayo stated that he considered the offer a fair one, and would recommend his Committee to accept it. There had been no official communication between the two Committees since.

A prolonged discussion followed, and it was resolved, “ That the vote of LlO to the Hampstead Committee remain open until next meeting, and if not then accepted lapse, and no further offer be made.” VISITING COMMITTEE. The Chairman and Mr Orr were appointed as a Visiting Committee for tho ensuing month. PAYMENTS. Accounts, amounting to £5 18s lid, wore passed for payment, and tho Committee adjourned.