NGATEA SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5416, 26 April 1929, Page 3

NGATEA SCHOOL.

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. A RECORD OF PROGRESS. About thirty householders attended at the Ngatea District High School for the annual meeting on Monday evening, and Mr W. McDuff was appointed to preside. Annual Report. The annual report recorded that the committee had met each month and it was only on rare occasions that any member was absent. By invitation the headmaster was present at all meetings. School Roll. —At the present time' the roll number was 156 in the primary department and 43 in the secondary department. The rise qf 153% in the roll number of the high school had brought the appointment of an extra teacher, and a permanent appointment would be made in a few days. The only changes of staff had been in the teachers of Standards I. and 11., where the changes had been so frequent as to militate, against efficient teaching. In 18 months these classes had had four teachers. Inspector’s Report.—The inspector’s report had shown that the schol was soundly organised and efficiently controlled and taught. It complimented the committee and teachers on the great improvement made in the grounds. Examinations. —Of the sixth standard pupils presented for examination 95% had passed, of whom 14 gained proficiency certificates. All the seven candidates presented by the high school had secured senior free places, and one had also .passed the Public Service Entrance examination. Another pupil , of the secondary department was remarkably successful in an essay competition, gaining first prize in a contest against all secondary schools in the Dominion. Sports.—The games of football/ basketball, hockey, and tennis had been fostered, and many matches .were' played with other Plains schools and with teams from Paeroa, Te Aroha, and Thames. At the recent sports the Ngatea school had won the Championship Cup and 13 gold medals.

Swimming Bath. —The question of constructing a swimming bath in the school grounds was considered by the committee, but owing to the cost the matter was postponed. As in the previous year, however, the pupils were encouraged under the supervision of their teachers to swim in the river. Mention must be made here of the valuable help given by the Ngatea Swimming Club by the construction of the floating pontoon swimming bath for non-swimmers. The school had done good work in raising part of the funds needed for this. The pontoon enabled quite a number of children to learn to swim. The School. —For its size the Ngatea school was now perhaps as well equipped as any in the Dominion. This had been made possible not only by special grants from the Education Department and Board, but also by the ‘liberality of parents and friends of the pupils in contributing funds upon which subsidies had been obtained. Eighteen months ago a fully-equipped class-room and science laboratory was added, and since then the equipment had been increased by a piano, gramophone and splendid set of records, Singer sewing machine, a set of 20 splendid maps imported from England, a valuable library for the high school, smaller libraries for the primary school, furniture for the teachers’ room, and framed wall pictures. Ground Improvement.—Ground improvements during the year included the grading and sanding of a large part of .the playground, thus providing a dry playing area where formerly it was very muddy in winter. The tennis courts and the basketball pitch had been resurfaced and tarred, a concrete cricket pitch had been provided, a cycle shed for 40 bicycles, and a shed for garden tools had been built, and a garden of approximately one-quarter of an acre had been established. A further area of approximately three acres had recently been acquired. This had just been fenced, levelled, and , grassed, and would prove valuable for school games. Accommodation.— Owing to the rapid growth of the 'high school the present, was insufficient, and frequently a class had to be taught in a shelter shed. The matter of providing additional accommodation was now under consideration by the Education Board. A detached building for the infant classes would be very desirable, and would obviate the necessity for two teachers having to work in the same room. One of the most crying needs of the school was a septic tank, and the committee had brought the matter before the board on numerous occasions, but engineering difficulties had been raised. The matter was not being dropped. Other projected improvements were the provision of an improved gate entrance, a second basketball pitch, and further levelling and sanding. On the motion of Mr Schultz the report was adopted, and appreciation was expressed of the good work done .by the committee and of the successes gained by the school. The headmaster and the staff of the school were congratulated on the success of their work. Finance. The balance-sheet showed a credit on February 28 of £27 Ils 2d. Some discussion took place on the growth of the secretarial work, and on the motion of Mr Schultz, seconded by Mr Vagg, it was decided to recommend the incoming committee to pay a small sum for services as secretary. The retiring secretary, Mr E. C. Barriball, was accorded a vote of thanks for his work, and a vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded Mr W. McDuff, chairman of the committee, for his services, particularly those in connection with the securing of the additional three acres of playground. Nominations. On nominations being called for the committee for the ensuing year only

the old committeemen were nominated, and accordingly Messrs W. McDuff, E. C. Barriball, C. Vagg, W. P. Wylde, R. Rowlings, and C. S. Foster were declared elected. Committee Meeting. As a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr W. McDuff was elected chairman, and Mr W. Chappell was appointed to act as secretary at a remuneration of £5 per annum. OTHER DISTRICTS. The committees elected in other school districts are as follows :— KEREPEEHI. Messrs N. Clay (chairman), W. Thompson (secretary), J. G. Anderson, J. R. Carr, W. Fitch, A. Hegh, and W. Herkt. There were eight nominations. KOPUARAHI. Messrs T. O’Carroll (chairman), T. Braithwaite (secretary), N. Death, R. Green, and L. O’Kane. ORONGO. Messrs A. Cranston (chairman), I. Holden (secretary), C. Dean, B. Farquhar, and W. Nash. TURUA. Messrs S. G. Williams (chairman), W. Chapman (secretary), C. Dale, J. Hamilton, F. Loader, S. Murray, and W. H. Taylor. There were nine nominations. WAITAKARURU. Messrs N. W. Hedges (chairman), R. A. Otter (secretary), W. Burling, J. Harrod, and J. Parker.