SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 149, 19 April 1940, Page 5

SCHOOL AFFAIRS

NEW WHAKATANE COMMITTEE MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS # In liis annual report to the bi-< annual meeting of householders last Wednesday evening, the Rev. S. G; Caulton, chairman of the Whakatane School Committee stated as under: The committee as originally elected comprised Rev. Watson, Rev. Caulton and Messrs Searle, Lysaght, Raymond, Wilson,, F. A. S. Clarke, Otley and Dr Wadmore. Rev Wat- 1 son was elected Chairman with Mr Wilson as treasurer and Mr Otley as secretary. There have been several changes in members during the life of the present committee. Dr Wadmore died towards the end of the year, 1938, after having rendered great service to the committee and to the school. He was one who had taken a great interest in all school matters. Mr Clarke left the district and Messrs Paterson and Ferry were appointed to fill the vacancies. Rev Watson also left the district recently preparatory to his going into camp with the Third Echelon, and Rev Caulton was appointed Chairman in his stead. In view of the early termination of office of the committee at the time of Rev Watson's resignation, no appointment was made to fill the vacancy on the committee. School Roll. In the last two years, there have been substantial increases in the School Roll. In June, 1938,. the school roll was: Primary 362, Secondary 65. The present figures are: Primary 410, Secondary 118. Accommodation Question. The committee has been very concerned over the shortage of accom-* modation, and strong representations have been made to the Education Board and the Department for additions to the school buildings - . Progress in the matter was delayed pending a decision by the Minister of Education as to whether there was to be a consolidation of schools at Edgecumbe. The Minister decided against consolidation*, and since then the committee has been urging the need for the provision of additional class rooms without delay. However, not much progress has so

far been made, but the Board's ] Architect is engaged on plans for . the additions at the present time. Unfortunately, the additions will not be available for this coming winter, and the use of unsatisfactory temporary accommodation will have to continue for some time. There have been numerous staff changes, some of these being rendered necessary owing to the departure of Messrs Barclay, Conolly and Kelly for war service. The Dental Clinic. A dental clinic has at last been established in Whaliatane. Nurse Quigley having commenced duty there on the 3rd Aprill 1940. The committee has accounted to the Board for the committee's one->third of the building cost. Further moneys are still required to cover the cost of furnishings to be supplied by the committee. The maintenance cost is provided by an annual charge in respect of each child entitled to treatment at the Clinic and this charge is payable in advance. For tlie current year,., it is proposed to make a charge of five shillings, and parents will shortly be requested to make payment of such charge. The school grounds show steady improvement. The committee has had the benefit of a worker under No. 13 Scheme (Social Security) but this assistance has now been withdrawn. An application has, however, been sent forward for further assistance from this source. The Headmaster has supplied tlie following information to be incorporated in this report. New Committee. The election of the new committee for the ensuing two years resulted as under: Rev. S. G. Caulton (chairman), Messrs F. W. "Lysaght,, H. D. Paterson, F. R. Raymond, C. W. Clark, H. J. E. Searle, N. S. Major, R. Ferry, J. W. Wilson^ Special votes of thanks were passed to the retiring secretary, Mr G. Otley, and the treasurer, Mr R. C. Wilson. Mr Otley has completed a term of service in'the capacity of secretary of no less than ten years. He was warmly congratulated and the appreciation of the committee was recorded on the minutes.