CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 18

CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATIONS ELECTION OF OFFICERS The annual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees' Associations concluded in Christchurch yesterday morning. A final session yesterday morning carried a number of remits, and elected officers for the coming year, and in the afternoon delegates, combining business with pleasure, paid a visit of inspection to the Shirley Intermediate School and also visited the Botanic Gardens and the Provincial Council Chambers. Most of the delegates will return to their homos to-day. Altered lengths for school terms were also advocated. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr W. 11. Fortune (Auckland); senior vice-president, Mr A. E. Morgan (West Coast); junior vice-pre-sident. Mr F. H. Porter (Wellington); Parliamentary committee, Messrs E. Miller, J. Fyfc, F. H.. Porter, and N. E. Dalmor (all of Wellington), with power to add; nominations for Dominion executive, Mrs F. W. Mountjoy, Mrs G. T. McLeod, Messrs F. C. Pace, C. S. Morris, L. E. Rhodes. H. E. Benton. A. B. Carmichael, D. Millar, A. T. Dow, and A. A. Buckley, with power to add. It was agreed that the Dominion conference for 1939 be held in Auckland. Remits Approved Among the remits considered yesterday morning wore several from the West Coast, the most important of which urged that the West Coast be made a separate education board district. Others required, that a p: imary school pupil at the end of his school career be given a comprehensive health rejoort, and that accommodation for country teachers should include a motor garage. The full list of the remits carried is as follows: — "That refresher courses for teachers bo hold during school vacations in order that school time may not be interfered with.” “That the West Coast be made a separate education board district.” “That the change from percentage marking to commentary classification in the pupils’ term report is a retrograde step.” “That where residences are erected for teachers, or where they are renovated or remodelled, provision be made for private garage accommoda- • tion in as many cases as possible.” • “That the medical officer be required ' on the request of the parent to furnish a comprehensive medical or 1 health report, at the completion of the ’ child’s primary course.” “That in the interests of the health of the children and teachers the length of the school terms should be altered • to provide that the first term should ■ be of 17 weeks, the second of 13, and ■ the third of 12. Such a division could . have the added advantage of enabling ' country parents engaged in dairying ■ to take their children for a holiday , which, owing to the emergencies of ’ farming operations, they are unable to t do at present.” ’ “That the education boards be urged • to increase their staffs to enable cleanr ing and repairing of schools and furni- , lure.”