OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 5 June 1947, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The monthly meeting of the Otaki State School w?.s held on Tuesday night. There were present: Messrs. H. Taylor (chairman), L. G. Gimblett (secretary) , A. Lumley, W. A. Calwell, N. Taylor, A. G. Kirkwood, H. Nicolson and J. E. James • (headmaster) . Apologies were reeeived from Messrs. H. B. Edhouse and W. Wilson. An application from Miss Cockrell, on behalf of -the new basketball elub, was granted for the use of the court for one evening each week for practice purposes. A letter was reeeived from the Friendly Way Club (Mr. W. L. Freeth) asking for the use of the school building for the purpose of continuing choir activities, when well-known hymns, etc., would be practised. The approximate number of children would be 36. It was decided that the request be not granted, as it might be the means of drawing religious matters into the question. The writer had the sympathy of the committee, but it was also considered that the application if granted, would not have the support of the Education Board, which was the ruling authority. It was stated by the visiting committee that it had failed to visit the school and therefore had no report to offer. — Decided that Messrs. Gimblett and Calwell be again appointed. Headmaster's Report Mr. James reported that the roll number at the end of the term was 194 boys and 183 girls, a total of 377. The number on the roll at the beginning of the term was 194 boys and 185 girls, a total of 379. Withdrawals numbered eight

and admissions 10. The average attendance for the first week was 169.4 boys and 161.5 girls, a total of 330.9. Apart from some isolated cases of influenza the general health of the children was good. Miss Beverley and Miss Richards had joined the staff, and Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Renner had left. The school teams were participatmg in the basketball and football tournament at Levin on June 6. Two basketballs had. been reeeived for drill purposes. "It is again my pleasure to report most favourably on the tidy condition of the grounds and buildings. The next meeting of the Home and School Association is to be held on Thursday when staff members will discuss the arithmetic syllabus. The school choir is assisting in the choral festival to be held in Otaki during July, and will form part of a choir of approximately 200 voices. Mr. Walsh, caretaker, had made a set of articles for a doll's house and these were the delight of the children, while the thanks of the staff were due." — -■ , ijri