School Committee Holds Monthly Meeting

Chronicle (Levin), 9 June 1949, Page 2

School Committee Holds Monthly Meeting

A full attendance of members met for the monthly meeting of the Otaki State School Committee on Tuesday night. Mr. H. Taylor was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs H. B. Edhouse, W. A. Calwell, L. G. Gimblett (secretary), A. G. Kirkwood, A. Lumley, C. Parrant, N. Taylor, W. Wilson and the headmaster (Mr. O. H. E. Yates) . A welcome was extended by the chairman to Mr. Yates, who eommenced duties after the May holidays. Members noted with appreciation that the school roll continues to increase, the number of scholars being 25 in excess of the same month last year. Sufficient names have not yet

been handed to the committee for a request to be made to the Education Board to appoint instructors for post primary courses In dressmaking, plumbing, woodwork, carpentry and motor engineering. As enrolments can be made by pupils and ex-pupils ..residing at Te Horo and Manakau, in addition to Otaki, it is hoped that persons interested will lose no more tinie in handing their names to the secretary or any member of the committee. Members expressed renewed disappointment that to date nothing has been done regarding the building of the long promised school swimming baths, and further efforts are to be made in an endeavou'r to ascertain the likelihood of this project being advanced. Inquiries are to be made as to the possibility of a suitable building being secured for manual training and for night classes. Headmaster's Report. • The headmaster, Mr. Yates, submitted his first report as follows: — "It is my privilege to present to the

committee my first monthly report on the working of the school. The ro'l at present reads 222 boys and 21(hgirls, a total of 432, the average attendance being 89 per cent. New teachers taking up permanent positions on the staff on May 23 were Mrs. Ward, senior woman assistant, Miss Breeze, B assistant, and myself as headmaster. On June 2 Miss F. E. Turner commenced relieving duties. "Good progress has been made

with the new rooms and these should be occupied • by us within the next few days. When. the new dental clinic is ready, I suggest that the'room in temporary use by the nurse should be converted into a school library. Although the room will be too small and generally inadequate for our real needs, it will be a big improvement on the use of cupboards in the corridor. "Five basketball and three footbali teams took part in the tournament held in Levin on May 27. The junior boys won their grade, while the seniors lost the final after playing exira time. Teams will participate in local competitions during the winter months. , "On receipt of a letter. from the board relative to the appointment of a clerical assistant to the school, and after conferring with the chairman of the committee, the position was advertised. At the board's request I recommended

Miss M. B. Jarman for the position. If the appointment is confirmed, it is going to be one of very considerable importance te the school. Besides freeing the headmaster from much routine work and enabling him to assist teachers in their work, much duplication and preparation of notes will be able to be done. I would ask the committee to give consideration to the purchase of a good duplicator and also to the suppiy of stationery required. "I am particularly gratified to find. a live Home and School Association in connection with the school. Its existence cannot spell anything but good for the school's development. Mrs. Yates and I both appreeiated the sincerity of the welcome accorded us soon after our arrival. "In taking charge of the school, I am keenly sensitive of the job that lies before me. My aim is to build on what has been accomplished in the past and in doing this I seek the close co-operation of members of the committee, parehts of pupils and members of the staff. It is essential to have complete understanding of the problems which face us so that happy solutions may be found. Ideas to develop the school for the children's development will also be welcomed by me and whenever practicable I hope to be able to incorporate them in the school scheme. Our job is a big one, but it can be successful-ly accomplished."