THE STATE SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1734, 26 April 1913, Page 8

THE STATE SCHOOLS.

ANNUAL REPORTS. The statutory annual meetings of householders of tho various school districts will bo held on Monday evening next, when ttio annual reports will be read, various matters discussed, and new committees elected for tho ensuing year. Tho following school reports are to hand:— NEWTOWN SCHOOL.' The headmaster of tho Newtown School 1 (Mr. U. A. Parkinson). iu his annual re- I port, j-lates that during tho year tho school lias given a good account of itself. "Work has been, free from hindrance in the form of epidemics of sickness, thiJrc have been fewer changes in tho teaching .staffMliau usual, and tho effects of these improved conditions have shown themselves in tho tone and work of the school. Tho report of tho inspectors aud tho school's record in the examinations for proficiency certificates and for scholarships all givo cause for congratulation and satisfaction. . . "Considerable improvements have bec-n raado in the school and grounds during tho vear. Tho wholo of tho interior of tho buildings has been repainted, and many of tho old-pattern desks have been modernised—greatly to the benefit of tho pupils. Tho Emmett Street fence lias been renewed, and this has boon a great improvement to the playground of tho infants' department. Householders may, therefore, congratulate themselves on having at their disposal a comfortable, wellequipped school, fully capable, as regards its internal arrangements and its outside environment, of meeting tho demands of modern education. "Tho two leading features of the school year have been the abandonment of the junior cadet system and the institution of medical inspection. / This last is a more important' matter than may at first sight appear. It is a. recognition by tho Stato that it is tho duty of tho State, not onl> to, provide for the mental training of its future citizens, 'but rilso to care for their physical fitness. ' Looked at in this way. the small beginning that has been made becomes big with prouiiso of developments in the future, and parents may feel assured that now that a beginning has been, made tho system will bo continued and. extended, and both schools and scholars will benefit." NGAIO SCHOOL. The Ngaio School Committee, in its annual report, states that during the year just closed the' average attendance, has risen from 50 to 74, an increase of 24. At tho beginning of tho school. year, in April last, teaching was carried on up to Standard II only, but since the 6umraer vacation tho board has made provision for teaching all tho standards, and it is hoped that tho better facilities now provided will induce all parents in tho district to avail themselves of the local school, instead of sending their older children to town. Owing to the capitation scalo pressing very hardly upon small schools, tho committee has been much hampered by the insufficiency of ordinary funds for the work of tho school, but, by means of a canvass of householders and the holding of a concert and a scholars' bazaar, money was raised for the purchase of forms, the . installation of electric light, aud the. laying down of asphalt paths, tho remainder of tho sum realised being devoted to the current expenses of the school. During the year, tho oommitteo induced the boaia to plant hedges on the south and east sides of tlio grounds, and these should in tho future afford excellent shelter from the winds. , , . , The . committee very much regrets to wcord tho resignation of the head teacher. Miss Page, who opened the school-in hired premises a few years ago as a side schuoi. ■and who has. in the face of n»ny dullcultics and "discomforts, .laboured ",tb great ability and self-sacrifice. Undoubtedly tho present flourishing state of aitairs is largely due to her untiring,efforts, ana the committee desires to plaxje On record its "-warm- appreciation of her servioes to Ngaio School. She will bo succeeded, at the beginning of June, by Mr. \\» it. Glark—now in charge of Koputaroa School who was strongly ■.recommended, by the 'board, and was .selected, practically unani-ro'ously.-by-tlie' committee, who feel satis-, fied that - wider his capableredirection; tho progress and efficiency of tho school will be fully maintained.