NGATEA HIGH SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4867, 19 August 1925, Page 2

NGATEA HIGH SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Ngatea District High School committee was held on Monday, Mr W. MeDuff presiding over an attendance of Mre Anderson, Messrs. J. E. Reid, C. S. Foster, and the Rev. E. H. Brooker, secretary. SCHOOL LIBRARY. Letters were read from the Education Board relative to the class of books desirable in school libraries, and the committee was informed that the board had applied to. the department for a subsidy on the contributions- in hand for the school library. THE DENTAL CLINIC. A letter was received from the Director of Dental Hygiene stating that the building that had been erected for a dental clinic had been approved of for the purpose. Details of - the interior furnishings were given. The secretary stated that he had learned that the method under which the dental nurses worked was that she attended one clinic and did whatever work was necessary; then she proceeded to the next clinic, and so on, so that she visited each centre about once a month. The pupils of neighbouring schools would be examined, and if work was necessary they would be treated at the central clinic. Gratification was expressed by the committee that the building had been approved of by the department, and it was decided that representations be made to haverthe nurse appointed as soon as possible. The secretary was instructed to apply for the subsidy on the building and to ask the department to Supply the appliances promised as soon as possible. HEADMASTER'S REPORT. The beadmaster, Mr N. J. Crabbe, mentioned in his monthly report that the roll numbers were:— Primary, 137 secondary, 18,- and the average attendances 111 and 17, respectively. During th season the boys of the primary department had raised some 1500 eucalyptus trees, and sold them to farmers, receiving the sum of £2, which they desired to hand over as a donation to the dental clinic fund. Overcrowding.—There was at present, in the rooms of the primary department, acommodatibn for 90 pupils, whereas* the number was nearly 140. Taking into account the old shelter shed now in use by standard 1 and 2, there waq floor space, according to departmental standards, for 115 pupils. It was for the committee to consider whether efforts should be made to secure additions-, or to wait till the need was more pressing. Committee.—The board’s regulatioiis for the conduct of 'committee elections provided that all schools at which the average attendance exceeded 100 for the twelve months were entitled to have a committee of seven members. The attendance at Ngatea during 1924 was 112, and perhaps it would be a good move to ask the board to allow the committee to nominate the two other members to which it was entitled. Secondary Department.—lt was gratifying to see that the committee was alive to the necessity of sustaining interest in the secondary department and endeavouring to increase the number of scholars. The report was received and tiie boys accorded a vote of thanks for their donation. It was' decided to point out to the Education Board the state of overcrowding and ask it to obtain a report from its advisory inspector. The secretary was instructed to seek information on the question of extra representation on the committee. MOTOR TRANSPORT. A petition was received from the parents of 23 pupils of the Horahia district asking the committee to urge upon the Education Board the necessity of motor transportation of the children- to and from school. It wats decided to give the matter whole-hearted support. GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. The chairman reported that arrangements had been made to have portion of the playground which was very rough ploughed so that later it could be levelled.