THE HELENSVILLE SCHOOL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1919, Page 2

THE HELENSVILLE SCHOOL

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING. At the annual householders* meeting held on Monday, A.pril 28th, the whole of the old committee, with the exception of Messrs Bailey and Hammond (who did not seek re-election), was re-elected. Mr C. P. Thomson acted as Chairman, and after the minutes of the last annual meeting had been read and confirmed, the following report of the outgoing committee was brought forward and adopted:—• CHAIRMAN'S REPORT \ Ladies and Gentleman, —Your Comi mittee has the honour to present to you the following report of receipts and , expenditure for th* year. ending 31st j December, 1918:— i —Receipts— I Bal. in hand Dec. 31st, 1817 £c. d. School Fund a/c £26, and I- Tennis Fund, £21 5s lOd ... 47 5 10 Grants for ordinary incidental purposes ... ... 70 8 0 Amount raised toward formation swimming bath ... ,88 0 6 Total ... ... £205 14 4 —Expenditure— Cleaning school and out-, buildings ... ... 29 9 11 Fuel for school use ... 16 6 Lighting and sanitary ... 2 10 9 Repairs ... ... ... 16 6 Improvements to grounds ... 10 6 School stationery... ... 9 7 10 Amount paid to Education Board for Bubsidary earning purposes ... ... 87 0 0 Tennis Court formation ... 15 8 8 Advertising ... ... 1 17 6 Bank charges ... ... 10 0 Bal. in hand Dec. 31st, 1918 57 6 2 Total ... % ... £205 14 4 —Attendance and Proficiency— Considering the prevalence of the influenza epidemic during the year, the average attondence has been better than could have been anticipated, as it amounted to 179.93 for the four quarters ending December 31st, as compared with 1984 during the previous year. At the previous examination a fairly large number of pupils were presented for the sixth standaad examination, 16 of whom gained certificates of proficiency, consequently the sixth standard class was considerably depleted by withdrawals, and as there were not sufficient advanced pupils to make good the deficiency, the sixth standard during this year was considerably smaller than usual; but, despite the disorganisation-caused by the epidemic, of the nine pupils presented for examination seven gained certificates of proficiency, and one a certificate of competency. The number of pupils on the roll during the March quarter, 1918, was 205, and according- to the last Inspector's report the number on the roll was 199. —Inspector's Report— The following extract from the Inspector's Report will be of interest to parents, showing as it does the highly satisfactory manner in which the school is being conducted: — " The school is in a sound condition. Mr Hill continues to carry out his work in a thoroughly skilful and intelligent manner, and in doing so secures the hearty co-operation of both pupils and staff.

" Standards 5 and 6—Much of the work of these two classes was of good quality, notably the writing, composition, and mental arithmetic of standard 6.

"Standard 4 and 3—Under Miss Forrester have mad* Tory marked improvement in every way since I last saw them. Both classes are now doing most creditable work. Arithmetic, reading, spelling, and writing are good.

"Standards 2 and I—While1 —While the work of both these classes is'good, that of standard 2 calls for special mention. In •very subject the pupils presented work varying from good to excellent, and the teacher deserves special commendation for the result of her efforts." —Swimming Bath— Your Committee has given this matter a considerable amount of attention, and has been persistent in its efforts during its whole terra of office in endeavouring to get the project carried out. G. A. Jackson Esq., Engineer for Waitemata. County, has helped the Committee in every way, and is deserving of the sincere thanks of all interested in the matter for the generous manner in which he ha« provided the Committee with, plans, specifications, an;d estimates for the work. The public responded liberally to the appeals for pecuniary assistance, and as will be seen by the statement of receipts, the amount collected was considerable considering the innumerable calls on everyone for subscriptions for war purposes. As, however, the undertaking must entail a fairly large expenditure to carry out, the Committee! was unable to initiate the construction of the bath until it had come definite knowledge as to the amount,that would bo available to complete the work, and so, pending the granting of a subsidy' bjr the Department, the Committee was unable .to proceed. Now, however, after a large amount of correspondence', consideration, and deliberation, usual irv •uch cases, the Department has at last granted * subsidy; but eb much time has elapsed since the estimates were maqle oiji, -that' the Committee has askedM^ Jackson, in view !of the proWble »Iterations |n the cosf of material and

labour, if he would be kind enough to bring his estimates up to date. With „ <^'i the amount collected added to^^tii* 'm^ Government subsidy, the Comc«B^'7^^i hopes the Board will be able to see us way clear, should the amount fall short of what is required to complete the work, to make up the balance. The Board has already been approached in the matter, and has asked to be furnished with the amended estimates, but informed the Committee that owing to press of work it feared it would be impossible for the Board's architect to supervise and carry out the construction of the bath. The present Committee, however, taking into' consideration the fact that the work done must be approved of by the Board's architect, and therefore must ultimatelycome under the supervision of the architect or his staff, and realising that that department of the Board ie batter qualified than a School Committee to carry out such a work, would suggest to the incoming Committee that it further urges the Board to undertake the carry- j^ ing out of the project. • . —High School — A reference to the last annual report will bring to mind that for some inex- ■■•'*.' plicable reason the controlling authorities in their wisdom, or want of wisdom, | did not consider it advisable to recommend the establishment of a District High School at Helensville. Had it "■ done so the Committee is firmly of opinion that a fairly large secondary school would be in existence at present. Many children who would have availed themselves of the higher education were, under the circumstances, compelled to abandon the idea; and others, who were in a position to do so, had to go outside the district for their secondary education. Had these children been in attendance at a local high school, and the number of pupils further increased by those coming forward from Helens. ville and adjacent primary schools, the existence of a District High School would have been more thaa justified; but, as the pupils guaranteed to attend have now ] been diverted beyond recalh and the number of new pupils coming forward this year is less than usual, the present is an inopportune time to move again in the matter. But as the population of Helensville and the surrounding district is steadily increasing, the recent slight falling off in the average attend- . ance at the school cannot be other than atemporary fluctuation in the number of children of school age, and cannot be an indication of a decr&asi»g need for secondary school facilities in the district; -'. this Committee, therefore, would recommend future committees not to lose sight of tha requirements of the district with regard to secondary education, and urges them to further move in the matter as soon as favourable opportunity occurs. After the householders' meetr inpc was closed, the first meeting ot the new School Committee was held. Mr C. P. Thomson was appointed Chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr F, R. Eames Secretary and Treasurer. -.