STATE SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 173, 18 April 1921, Page 9

STATE SCHOOLS

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES The annual report of the Muritai School Committee states that the average attendance for 1920 was 197 and the teaching staff had been increased to seven, enabling the work of the school to be carried out in a more efficient manner. The number of children now on the roll was 257. The attendance during the middle portion of last year was adversely affected by epidemics. The inspector reports that the high standard of work usually associated with Mr. Sanson’s management had been well maintained and commends • the headmaster’s efforts in the interests of his pupils. The year's results show that the whole teaching staff is entitled to the sincere thanks of parents and householders- It is to be pointed out. that the work of the school has been carried out under difficult conditions, this more particularly in respect of the accommodation for infant classes, which is totally inadequate. The Coun» oil Chambers have now been secured, however, and when the equipment arrives will be occupied by the upper infant classes until the new ' schoolrooms are available. The finances of the school on February 28, 1921, the end of the school financial year, were in a- most satisfactory state. The credit balance at the beginning was d£ls2 13s. ltd. The receipts during the year were .£448 13s. 4d., and the disbursements J 2258 3s. Id., leaving a. credit balance of J. 343 4s. 2d. South Wellington.—A section in the report of the South Wellington 'School Committee, prepared for the consideration of householders at the annual meeting on Monday, evening, refers to overcrowding in the school, and states: —“The rooms are far too crowded, and during the year the board was approached on the matter. It refused to take steps to have

the number of scholars reduced. Your I committee desires to state that on the opening of the Britomart School the board insisted that twelve feet be allowed for each pupil, and now they are insisting on this amount being reduced.- The incoming committee is recommended to endeavour; to provide an additional playground bMpw the tennis court (Bussell Terrace). JjThis space could well be fitted with various amusements for the infant children. Additional space can also be provided for open-air teaching by levelling a portion of the nursery garden. This, we contend, could be converted into an ideal place for that purpose.” The committee report that the school buildings have been kept in good order and condition. The grounds also are well kept, and the trees planted some years ago are well established It is now recommended by the committee that hedges be planted alongside the main path, which will greatly improye the look of the entrance. Roseneath.—The school is in a very satisfactory positoia, says the annual report of the committee of the Roseneath School, and much credit is due to Mr. R. Darroch and his staff for the work they did in 1920. While the loss of Mr. Darroch leaves a very difficult place to fill in the esteem of parents and assistant teachers, Mr. J. T. 0. Stephens, the present headmaster, has already made apr preciable progress in gaining the good opinion of all those brought in contact with him.

Hataitai. —"The separation of the Hataitai School from the Roseneath School took place,” states the report of the Hataitai committee, “on December 31, 1920, and opened as. a full school on February 1. 1921, which event was very gratifying to the residents of this popular suburb. The school is fortunate in having had a very enthusiastic headmaster appointed in the person of Mr. Balfour Kean. . . . Miss Bird, infant mistress, is doing splendid work, although her department is sadly overcrowded. The school has ad-

vanced from Grade 4a at the beginning of the year to 4c, and there is every .prospect of Grade 5 being reached by the end of the year. The roll at the end of December, 1920, was 160, and at the opening on February 1, 218, with an average attendance of 193 and still further increased to 240 on March 31. A deputation waited on the Education Board and placed before it the overcrowding in. the infants’ departments, and as a result negotiations with the managers of the Methodist Church are being conducted with a view to the renting of their property for the overflow.” Clyde Quay— The report of .the Clyde Quav committee says that the Elizabeth Street building has not given, and in its present state can never give satisfaction as an educational structure. Two sets of plans have been prepared by the Education Board for the building on that site, but so far no satisfactory reply has been received in an'Swer to the committee's request that the building should be proceeded with- The labour trouble, of course, cannot be overlooked, but the committee maintains that a start should have been made with the erection of that blinding many months ago. The main buildings have not, of course, been

bo crowded, as was the case under the previous conditions, and the stuff consequently have been better able to control .the classes. The school has, unfortunately, lost the services of an excellent teacher, Mr. A. D. East through promotion. but Mr. W. B. Brown has been appointed to fill the vacancy, and is doing good work. In sports, the school has been fairly successful. Perhaps the highest honour it has attained in this connection has been fhe winning of the

• hield at the Public School Amateur Athletic Association Championship meeting, when over 2000 scholars competed. In the Colhnan Cup swimming race the girls’ team won. The lioys came second in the Duthie Cup. so long held by the school. Some of the boys represented Wellington in cricket, tennis and football contdfita, the Wellington team winning the association’s cup. Tennis, basket ball, and football have also received due attention. Among generous donations made to the school funds were .22

2s.from Mrs. (Dr.) Anderson, and Alls, from the chairman. The annual exam-' ination' results must be considered veiy satisfactory, no fewer than 84 scholars having gained proficiency certificates, 7 endorsed competency, and 13 competency certifii'ates. The inspector’s report gives great credit to Mr. Foster for the generally high state of efficiency of the school, and this receives greater force when it is

considered how many changes have taken place in the personnel of tho staff during the year. There are row on the school roll 701 scholars, an average attendance of (161 being maintained. Worser Bay—The following have been nominated for the Worser Bay committee:—Messrs George Day, A. A. Wilson, Charles Bell. H. C'oombe, VV. E. Tomlin,

G. W. Houchcn, S. M. Stone, Mrs. M’Vienr. Mrs. A. M. East, B.A. Terrace.—The annual report of the Ter-

race School Committee records with regret the death of Mr. George MacMorran, and states that it is not too much to say that it has been largely due to his personality and the high ideals that ho instilled into both teacher and scholar that the Terraco School obtained the reputation it Yoids in the city to-day. The heating of two of (he classrooms during (he winter months has not been at nil satisfactory, and the committee. wiJi the assistance, of a report from Dr. Paterson. made strong representations to the board on 1 he matter. The attention of the new committee is directed to this subject, for no improvement has been made. The committee has written the Minister a letter of appreciation of I ho good work that is being done by Dr. Paterson, who is a very able enthusiast. The pupils of the corrective physical culture class, selected lasi year by Dr. Paterson, greatly benefited by the course of exercises. Two pupils were highly successful in the National Scholarship examination. Ten o'hers gained junior free places. 70 secured proficiency certificates, 4 endorsed competency certificates and 27 competency certificates. The headmaster (Mr. D, ( E. Leslie) and his

able staff may feel well satisfied with their work. On the physical side the school also achieved success. The committee congratulates the boys on winning both the senior football championship banner and the intermediate grade championship in cricket. At two large sports gatherings the Terrace School relay race team won the half-mile race. The committee wrote a letter of congratulation to Mr. A. P. Murphy, second assistant, who had acted as the boys’ “coach” in all these sports. Miss Fraser, who devotes a great deal of time to fostering the game of tennis among the girls, also deserves special commendation. The utmost, harmony has existed between the headmaster, his staff, and the committee, and I he committee wishes to place on record its appreciation of the good work don; at the school. Karori.—The annual report of the Karori School Committee states that the Inspector’s reports have been gratifying, aril! the school has again shown its proficiency. The committee was able to provide the football team with jerseys, in the school colours, and the girls maintain themselves in sports jumpers. A donation was received from Mr. H. Fletcher for the basket-ball game. The various games—Rugby ..football, basket-ball, hockey, tennis, cricket, etc.—have been taken up by a large number of the children. The committee appreciates the interest taken in fhe games by the teaching staff. The committee finds itself at variance with the Education Board in the methods employed in making appointments to flhe school staff, says the report*. “The tendency seems to be to destroy the authority of school committees, tp reduce them to a condi’Jion of impotence. The most that a committee enn do seems to lx* tn lodge a strong protest. What is needed here, and throughout the country, is a virile, shall wo say, a combative public opinion that will not have less than it demands.”

Khandallah.—The report of the Khandallah Comrnit'ee says that the attendance at the school has increased from 137 in March, 1919, to 18G. The average for 1920 was 145. The most important work was the letting of a contract for levelling the Clarke Street section for a football ground and general sports area. The work wag estimated to cost .£3OO. The board was meeting the committee in a generous way with this work. The committee acknowledged and highly appreciated the able and enthusiastic efforts of the headmaster (Mr. Bringans) and his staff. Mr. A. J. Griffiths presented six silver badges to the school as a relay race trophy, the badges to be held by the winners until defeated. The report of the Eastern Hutt Committee states that there are 486 scholars on the roll, a net increase of 30 compared with the previous year, and the average attendance has been 442. A fullsized football ground had been partly laid out, and the committee acknowledges its indebtedness to Mr. Gumbley, borough engineer; who took the necessary levels. The committee is experimenting with ft type of bubble fountain, which is now on: trial at the school. Besides spending moneys on ground improvements, the committee expended dill oil science apparatus. The Education Board has recognised that more room is required at the school by reporting that the work requires early attention. After an examination of»all the pupils in standards 2 and 3, the Departmental medical officer reported that they were all. without exception, in good health, weil clothed, and well nourished, and that for the year no class for the correction of physical defects was required. Regret is expressed in the report at the loss of the services through promotion of Miss Macalister, infant mistress. Miss Webb', the new infant mistress, is carrying on the successful system laid down by” the former mistress. The committee heartily congratulates the headmaster and staff for the success of the past twelve months.