GISBORNE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2113, 22 June 1907, Page 2

GISBORNE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

■■ . I Tho monthly meeting of tho Gisborno School Committee was held at the school last evening. Presont:— -j Messrs. J. Somervell (chairman),. Spence, Sawyer, Darton, H. Bright, llov. Grant, F. J. Rowley, (head master), and W. L. Filo (secretary). HEAD M'ASTER’S REPORT. The report of Mr. F. J. Rowley, | head mnster, stated: —“Tlio attend- ( ance for the past five weeks has been very fair, averaging 86.7 per cent, ol the roll number. Tho average attendance has been . 743 and tho average roll 857.6. Tho present roll is (309.” Reference was made to Mr. Wauchop’B resignation, and tho fact that the vacancy on the staff caused by Mr. Morico’s resignation had not yet boon filled. Tho school had been working shorthanded since March. The schoolmaster gave an account of his Excollency tho Governor’s visit to tho school last month. Lord Plunket unveiled tho two clocks presented by Mr. Parker, and presented Mr. do Costa’s medals to the most popular boy and girl, Master It. A. Adair and Miss Ivy McConnell respectively. Dealing with Empire Day colobrations at the school, Mr. Rowley suggested that the school be provided with a Union Jack for tho purpose. The red ensign and Now Zealand flag, now in hand, were inappropriate. Concerning Bible lessons, it had been arranged with Voluntary Bible Teachers’ Association that the lesson be given on Monday in each week.—Adopted. Jilt. WAUCHOP’S RESIGNATION.

Mr. J. S. Wauchop, who ha.j been appointed head master of the Makauri school, tendered his resignation as second assistant master of the D.H. School. “It is with sincere regret tiiat I sever my connection with tlio school,” he wrote, “for the five years I have spent in it have been most pleasant by the cordial relations that have always oxisted between everyone connected with the school and myself.” Mr. Rowley, head master, wrote in a highly appreciative tone of Mr. Wanchop’s work. He regretted Ins departure from the staff, but congratulated him upon liis appointment, and wished him all success. ■file Chairman, Messrs. Bright, Barton, and other membors expressed their sense of loss at Mr. Wa.uchop s departure. During his five years association with the school, it was stated, he had had a splendid record, as shown by the inspector’s reports, whilst he was held in great personal esteem by all classes of the community. It was decided to present Mr. Wauchop with a testimonial, expressing the committee’s appreciation of his services. COMFORT OF THE CHILDREN. Twelve parents made written applications. to the committee to have lunch time at school extended to an hour and a half. This would allow the children to go home for lunch, which at present they f, T ere unable to do. In the alternative the parents asked that a room be placed at the 'disposal of the children during lunch time, as the shelter sheds and verandahs were totally inadequate for the number of 'children attending the school, as well as being much too cold and draughty during the winter months. If the attendance was to be kept up the school authorities must co-operate with parents in safeguarding children against cold feet, chills, sore throats, and other winter ailments. The letter was sympathetically received by the committee. Mr. Darton was against an extension of the dinner-hour; as to close p.f 0.30 would be late for those who had a long distance to travel. It was not advisable for children to tramp home through the. wet at lunch time, and better provision should bo made for them at that hour. He moved that the committee request the Education Board to have the- verandah and shelter-shed boarded in for the comfort of the children. Mr. Rowley (head master) was also averse to an extension of the luncheon hour. Since the hour for closing had been 3 o'clock there had been general satisfaction. When special arrangements were made children, especially the little. ones,. were allowed extra time ill which to go home for lunch. The staff desired to meet the wishes of parents as much as possible. He did not favor the idea of the juveniles having lunch 'tilside. It would take three rooms, teachers would have to stay there to look after them, and the room would not have a chance to be cleared of vitiated air before the afternoon lessons. The best plan would be to cover in some outside place. With the prevailing winter winds the shelters were too bleak for the children, and he favored Mr. Darton’s proposal. In regard to the infants' room, some better means of warming the room was necessary for comfort. The Rev. Grant said the health of the little ones must be studied, otherwise parents could not be expected to send their children.. The motion was carried unanimously. It was agreed, subsequently, to ask the Board that a large stove be installed in the infants’ room. ' INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Mr. Darton drew, attention to the satisfactory nature of the report presented by the Inspector (Mr. H. Hill, 8.A.), on his half-yearly examination iii April. It must be pleasing to all concerned, and thanks were duo to Sir. Rowley and staff. The report referred to stated, inter alia:—“lt is refreshing to find such a marked change in the general work of the schools. The new buildings are admirably arranged, and the children are placed under excellent working conditions, so that with careful and methodical teaching the schools should do well. This, I anticipate, ■u ill bo the result with such a fine spirit of work as is manifested throughout the school. I am pleased to report that already 400 books are in the school library and that it is well used by pupils, The technical rooms are well occupied and as a whole the buildings are the best in tlie Hawke’s Bay Education district.” The Chairman agreed that it was very creditable. The Rev. Grant said that- the Inspector had noted some details that needed attention. The infants’ school needed paintings and the supply of a lot' of apparatus required m teaching little ones. Mr. Morgan (attending on technical business) said that the Board had granted money for- the ajiparatus at iast meeting. The matter of painting had not been before the Bantu The Rev. Grant said the infants’ school should he brightened up. School life should bo made as attrative as possible.—lt was agreed to make a request to the Board re the painting. THE STAFF. To fill the vacancy on the staff, Mr. Darton moved that two pupil teachers bo appointed. The £9O vacancy had been advertised three times without obtaining any applications. The staff at the school should not be left short-handed any longer. The motion was carried, the Education Board to advertise for pupil teachers, MISCELLANEOUS. The Gas Co., in replying to inquiries made by Mr. Spence, submitted a price for supplying the necessary piping to seven points at the school and supplying burners, etc.—lt- was agreed to have the headmasters office lighted, but the other will stand over until funds are available. , Mr. H. J. Busbnell wrote that- the term for the supply of school requisites expired on Muv 18th. The matter of dealing wjt-h tenders was left to Mr. Rowley aiußtho Chairman. On the recommendation of the visiting committee vajrious repairs, etc., were authorised. In the boys’ playground the ladders, swings and bars are to be removed near the bath when ready. The south side of the ground will bo got- ready for treeplanting.