OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

* MEETING OF COMMITTEE A special meeting of the Otaki Stat'e School Committee was held on Monday night. the chairman, Mr. H. Taylor, presiding. Headmaster's Report The headmaster, Mr. 0.' E. James, reported as follows: — "The number on the roll at the beginning ?f the year was 198 boys and 187 girls, a total of -385. The health of the children appears to be very good; one case of an infec'tious nature was reported- ' , . . "Owing to a domesuic science instructess -being available this year, the cooking room will not be used as a -class room. The rdom at the Masohic Lodge is occupied by a class of 49. It has "been decided that children from Standards 3 to 6, will be given instruction in a fairly safe pool at the Waitohu River. I should again urge the necessity for the erection of baths. •The matting in the infant rooms is getting badly worn and some new ! matting, New Zealand" ribre, is needed. 0 To assist the " sewing classes, pinking-shears and a good pair of cucting-out scissors are required. A light at the entrance to the infant building would be an asset. j "The buildings were in good order for the reopening of school. Lawns and hedges are now needing special attention. The stack of pipes has not yet been remo'ved, and are being broken. Two windows were broken during the holidays. Thanks are due to the committee members who repaired the main gate broken during Christmas weck. The path from the back entrance jls very rough and requires some attention. Fences are still in a state of disrenair. Some electric wires are passing through trees on (he school grounds. OwLig to the growing membership of the staff, it becomes imperative that a staff room apart from the office be provided. An effort could be msds to have the new dehtal clinic erected ! this year, thus releasing the presi.mt clinic for school purposes. (Jnfortunately. owing to climafic conditions the school plsying area was not mowed during the holidays.' The'Old Pupils' Associ'.cion is holding a function at the school on Saturday next, following a reunion dance on Friday. evening." Committee's Discussions The idea of t'aking children for I swimming lessons was strongly

supported, but regret was agam expressed that the Wellington Education Board; was not yet in a position to instal swimmlr.g baths. It was hoped to make suitable arrangements for classes at the Maori schoolroom, the school being still overcrowded. It was resolved that the annual oicnic be held at Waikanae on Saturday, March 1, and txiao arranaements be left ih' the hands of Mr. Taylor (Otaki)" and Mr. Calwell (Waikanae) . It was agreed tliat necessary matting be secured as suggested and that broken windows be -endired. It was stated that of recent date two more windows had been broken. Several annlications were received for the nosition of caretaker at he school. and that of Mr. Les. Walsh was accepted. It was decided to thank other applicants and to write to Mr. Miller thanking him for his past services. Mr. Miller had previously stated that • he could not carry out the work, it being- a full time position. Attention was drawn to the fact that the Old Pupils' AssociatFn :ntended to hold a dance on Friday night and an open ?ir concert on Saturdav night wh"n it was hoped the committee and teaching ctafT would attcnd. Thanks were extcnded to Messrs. Walsh and Lumley for work carried out at the school, where gates were i>fdly damaged, evidently by a motor-car.