Meeting Of Otaki School Committee

Chronicle (Levin), 5 February 1948, Page 2

Meeting Of Otaki School Committee

The monthly meeting of the Otaki School Committee took place on Tuesday night, Mr. H, Taylor presiding. There were- also present Messrs/A. Lumley, N. Taylor, H. B. Edhouse, W. Wilson, W. A. Calwell, G. W. Kirkwood, H. Nicolson and J. E. James (headmaster) . An ap.olqgy waa . tender ed . on ■ behalf. . of Mr. L. G. Gimblett, at present on holiday in the South Island. Headmaster's Report The headmaster's report' read as follows: "Owing to the outbreak of infantile paralysis, the school will L-emain closed until .after' Easter. The staff, however, assemhled on Monday to begin preparation 9 of eorrespbndence lessons, which wili reach the children in due eourse per medium of the post office. Parents are requested to enroll new entrants as soon as possible so that the rolls for the year can be ascertained.

"The following teachers have left: Miss Dumble, Mrs. Gordon, ■ Miss McNaughton and Mr. Freeth, their positions being filled by Misses Lumsden and Rogers, and Messrs. Stevenson and Milne. "Grounds and buildings have been kept in excellent condition. Supplementary readers to the extent of £5 in Standards 1 and 2 andV£3 in Standai'd 3 should be purchased. There is need for a school duplicator_and typewriter, as this equip-m-ent is invaluable for prep'aring school circulars, etc. The caretaker, Mr. L. Walsh very kindly erected several display boards in the various rooms, and his action is much appreciated." The report was received and it was decided to obtain'information and prices of a dpulicator and typewriter for the use of the scliool. Visiting Committee's Report The visiting committee, Messrs. H. Taylor and A. Lumley, reported as follows: "The interior of. the school is in first class condition. The floors have all been oiled and look very clean. The school buildings need painting as the outer walls are showing signs of' wear.' The asphalt between the twb main scliools needs attention, as* there ,are some holes which .are a danger to pedestrians. The boundary fences are gradually getting worse, and the Education Board .should be approached and asked to give them attention. "We suggest that the board be written to and asked to call tenders for the new dental clinic, as two tenders are being called for at Lower Hutt. The additional three rooms for the school' should be proceedediwith, as -the crowding of the " classrooms will be worse than last year. The bicycV sheds are-on thesmall side, and we would suggest trying to get the board to extend the roof out on both sides to, say, 24 inches, as this would give mofe protection for the cycles. "The public have been using the school grouftds and tennis court without permission." It was resolved to apply . to the . Otaki' Borough • Council or Main Highways Board for a mixture to fill holes in the asphalt, and to draw the attention of the board to the dilapidated state of the fences, pointing out that horses liad , broken through them and damaged the asphalt. TKe committee decided to write to the board asking that the erection of the dental clinic be pro-

ceeded- with, pointing out once again the need for a Swimming pool, and' that the additional classrooms promised be provided. It'was decided to endeavour to prevent members of the general public from using the tennis courts and school grounds. It was also agreed, to contact Mr. Stubbs and ask him to visit Otaki and confer with the committee in regard to an intermediate school. Referring further to staff changes, Mr. James explained that sorae were due to marriages, and others to probationers being appointed and then being removed to make room for more permanent appointments. The committee felt that the changes were detrimental to class work, but that they could not well be avoided. Messrs. Edhouse and Nicolson were appointed visiting committee members for the month.