HOKITIKA SCHOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1932, Page 2

HOKITIKA SCHOOL

MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING

The Hokitika District High School met last evening when there were present -aessiis A. C, Armstrong (chair-

man), A. McDougall, R. Pedder, W. H. Shannon, F. W. E. 1 Richards, J. Conning 'and J. J. Breeze. An apology was received from Mr H. TV. E. iSweney. The resignation of Mr J, Niven, ' assistant master, was accepted with regret. The Rector (Mr J. L. Menzies) advised that 'applications for the position had been called. The chairman said Mr Niven had been a master at the school for about 13 years, during which time the school had made mlarked! progress ) and certain credit was due to Mr Niven for this advancement. He paid further tribute to his work at the school. Mr Redder; moved the Committee should write to him expressing tlieir thanks for his earnest services.— Agreed: to. The Inspector’s report upon the recent visit paid to the school was received. Mr 'T. Nuttall, the Committee’s representative on the Canterbury Primary Jschool Committees’ Association forwarded a resume of the business transacted at its last meeting. Members expressed the opinion that Hokitika were fortunate in an excellent delegate to further their Interests, The matter of draining operations on the school reserve was referred to Mr Chesterman. The chairman, for the visa ting, com-

mittee, recommended several improvements which might be well carried out, including the matter of top dressing the lawn. The report was adopted.

The rector reported that the roll number at present Was: —Primary,

boys 181, girls 152, total 333; secondary boys 47 girlis 42, total 89. As far as the secondary department was .concerned he did not think the school had had the necessary co-operation in the matter of attendance, with the parents and pupils, there having been frequent absentee's’. Regular attendance was essential, for a free pkice could be terminated by the Department without adequate reason. Apparentlv people had 1 been in the habit of entering the school 1 grounds and tennis courts during the week ends, Sundays in particular, and lie would like the Committee’s opinion thereon. Tliis year all scholars were required to sit for the free place examination, which had recently concludeda new departure, in that the granting by recommendation was now discontinued. The rector 'referred to the forthcoming issue of the school l magazine, which he hoped would become. a living part of the school’s activities. This issue' he could guarantee would be highly successful. The report was adopted, the question of the tennis courts being left in the hands of the rector. The committee decided to place on record its appreciation of the interest taken in the school by an ex-pupil, Mr A. Shannon, who had rendered great service by his work in the school grounds.