SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 26, 23 November 1945, Page 5

SCHOOL AFFAIRS

COMMITTEE'S MONTHLY

MEETING

PROGRESSIVE WORK IN HAND

The. monthly meeting of Hie Whakatane School Committee took place on Wednesday when a numr ber of subjects relative to the administration of Ibe school came under discussion.

One such matter was the question of concreting work in tlie school grounds a large area of which had already been laid down. There still remained however several portions where water Jay during wet weather. Estimates by Mr L. W. Ly}saght fixed the cost of concreting at £79 ss ) and the committee decided to write the Board requesting that a grant covering this amount be made.

In order that children who were ill at school, particularly those who lived in country districts might receive attention, the committee decided to purchase a pillow and hot water bottle and will endeavour to obtain a rug. A portion of the corridor screened off, would serve as a sick bay.

Intimation from the Headmaster Avas received to the effect that the Board bad forwarded to the school, a new hand bell and three table J clocks. It Avas hoped that perhaps when the proposed neAV buildings were erected a large bell AA'ould be provided. Appointment of Caretaker The. Chairman (Mr J. W. Wilson) stated that a joint arrangement between the School Committee and the Whakatane Domain Board, had been negotiated for a caretaker who had been appointed. The ment provided for the caretaker's engagement at the school three days Avcekly ? and at the Domain for the remaining tAvo days.

He also expressed the opinion that now the committee had a man for the job } it should endeavour to see that the grounds were improved considerably. They had been in a very bad state up till the present. One scheme which had been suggested to him and which lie outlined to the committee was that a five year grounds plan be instituted under the supervision of the new agri-' cultural instructor who was to be appointed. He indicated that before such a plan could be entered upon it would be. necessary to know where it was proposed to put any new buildings in the future. The committee decided to discuss this matter at its. next meeting and carry out an inspection of the grounds for this purpose.

A sub-committee consisting of the chairman (Mr Wilson) secretary (Mr T. C. Johnston) and trca.surer (Mr L. li. Spring) was ap-' pointed to supervise and allocate the work of the caretaker.

In connection with this dual arrangement the committee proposed to give the Domain Board free rise of the .school mowers and tractor, provided this latter body met the running and maintenance costs, while they were being used on the Domain and also provided that the caretaker alone used them. Headmaster's Report The report, of the Headmaster (Mr I. B. Hubbard) showed that the Primary School roll stood at 3 while that of the Infant School was increasing. The following it stated, would probably see the appointment of several additional as,sistantjs- which would relieve the position when were absent. It was pointed out that the school had lost the services of a qualified woodwork instructor in the person of Mr Under who had withdrawn his previously accepted application, through lack of a house being available. Two other masters were also awaiting houses. The report indicated that the end of year function would be held on December lo although the school was not actually closing till the following week. A programme including a flower show physical education display, and songs etc. had been arranged. The new visiting committee was elected in the persons ,of Messrs. J. W. Wilson and H. D. Paterson.