OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 6 March 1946, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

! MEETING OF COMMITTEE The monthly meetihg of the Otaki State School commiitee was held iasT nignt. Present: Messrs. Tayior, Wilson (acting-secretary)', Edhouse, LUmley, Nicolson, and James (iieadmaster). Apologies for absence were received Irorn Messrs. Gimblett, Walsh, Calwell, and the Rev. Temuera. Mr. James reported that the roll number was 363, and the average attendance 324. During the term some 43 children had left and 28 enrolled. Nurses Cooper and Hurrell, of the Health Department, had visited the school and exammed tne children. It was reported that parents in a few instances had kept their children from attending school for every trivial reason. It was stated that eoncrete work had been completed aiid that it was a decided asset to the school. It was pointed out that accommodation at tlie school was severely taxed, bemg a'.drawback to the teaching stan which was now at full strength. It was stated that sports material was needed, especially as games were to be played at Levin on Wednesday (to-day) . The headmaster asked that Thursday be set apart to enable the children to be taken to Tasman Beach for the day, and suggested tffat parents be invited to attend. — This received the support of the comrnittee. •It was also reported that the school had been clbsed on February 21 and 22 to enable teachers to attend the refresher course at Levin. . -

It was expected, stated Mr. James, that the attendance by the end of the year would reach 400. A letter was received from the Wellington Education Board stating it was considered that accommodation at the school was sufficient, and to this the comrnittee took strong exception, pointing out that in past years members of the board had agreed that more accommodation was needed. It was also pointed out that members oi tlie board were not conversant with matters at the school, having made no visit for some considerable time. It was agreed by members of the comrnittee that while the teaching staff was adequate the accommodation was not. Further, that it was unjust to allow two teachers to teach in one room, a decided detri-.: ment to all concerned. After further discussion it was suggested that a meeting of parents be held t6 raise a protest, or that a depii-: tation be appointed to wait on the board. After considerable further discussion, during which figures were produced to show that increased accommodation was needed, it was decided to ask members of the board to meet .the comrnittee at the school, when they could than see for themselves how necessary it was to increase the accommoda uii m Another room, it was agreed, was urgently needed. The attendance at the school had steadily increased each year tiil it was expected that by the end of the year it would be 400. It was also mentioned that it had been three years since members of the board had inspected the school, when some had then agreed that increased accommodation was needed. Of later years the board members had been apathetic to a large extent concerning the matter. Messrs. Edhouse and Nicolson were appointed as a visiting comrnittee for the month. The recommendations of the past visiting comrnittee are to be attended to. Their report was as follows: — "The conerete at the school has been completed, and it shouid prove a great asset, but the boundary fences on the east and west sides of the school grounds are in a very bad state of repair, ana shouid be attended to urgently.- The matter of accommodation at the school is very difficult under present condltions, aiid we suggest that a petition be sent out to parents, asking for their support to get extra accommodation. Quite a number of trees in the front hedge have diec recently, and will need replacing in the winter season. We would suggest buying the required number in three-year-old trees. The sports gear at the school is very poor at the present time, and quite a lol of playing requisites are necessary. and. shouid be procured when possible." One plank is off the seat at the north end of-the infant school. A good~supply*"of coke, coal and wood 'shouid be procured as early a.-: possible, so that same will be on hand when required. The entrance from Waerenga Road to the school needs a few loads of fine metal fill up the pot-holes. The edge round the sand-pit wants building up."