FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 11 May 1907, Page 2

FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The usual monthly meeting of the above committee was held in the library rooms on Thursday evening. Present: Messrs A, D. Clemett (chairman), G. Gray, G. Coley, P. Hennessy, S. H- Baker, F. W. Frankland (secretary), M. Perreau, D. Wilson, and R. T. Betty. The minutes of th'e last meeting were read and confirmed. headmasters’ report. The headmaster’s report was read and adopted as follows: — The average attendance during the last four weeks has been as follows; 235, 234, 225, and 224; roll number, 277. The boys in the upper standards have commenced writing out their essays in the second competition for Mr J. Stevens’ prizes. The work is rbeing done in school hours, under the supervision of the headmaster. Several school requisites asked for by the committee from the Board at a previous meeting, have arrived. The Chief Inspector’s report has been received, and is forwarded herewith. The work of the school is not progressing as satisfactorily as I would wish. My monthly examination goes to prove that some of my teachers have not yet shaken off their old lethargy. I enclose herewith results which I am forwarding to the Chief Inspector, after perusal by the gentlemen of the School Committee, who will kindly note that the examination questions were entirely confined to that portion of the year’s work which was set down for the month of April. The poor results cannot be attributed to the dulness of the children, for it must be remembered that the work all round is of a standard lower than what they are supposed to be in. In point of fact my experience goes to prove, that, if rightly handled, we have a superior class of intelligent pupils. X should like to consult with a deputation of the School Committee as to the most suitable portion of the playground to fence in for school gardens. Mr G. Coley has generously donated a fine football, for the use of the junior pupils, for which my thanks are tendered. With the permission of the Committee I shall endeavour to stage a children’s concert next month, to establish a school fund ; we are sadly in need of this. We want a school library, a sewing machine, gardens, fencing, and: a thousand and one improvements.—l am, etc., W. Adams, Headmaster. The Board’s Inspector, Mr G. D. Braik, reported on condition of buildings, etc., as follows: Grounds : Something should be done in the direction of making a path across the ground from the street to the school. Buildings: The small room corresponding to the H.T.’s office is to-be fitted up as library and museum —an excellent idea. Sanitation : One ofthe drains appears to be choked. Remarks; A school garden is about to be started. It was suggested by the Chairman that a deputation be appointed to consult with the headmaster as desired by the latter and decide on the most suitable portion of the playground tp be divided off for school garden. Messrs Clemett, Coley, Gray, Frankland and Hennessy* were appointed a deputation. . • Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Mr Betty that Messrs Coley, Gray, and Hennessy be appointed a sub-committee to deal with the questions of footpath, drainage, and basins.—Carried. Proposed by Mr Baker and sconded by Mr Perreau that the Borough Council be asked to put metal from the centre of Park road to school gate.—Carried. . A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Cofey for donation of coal and football. It was decided to express the Committee’s concurrence in the. headmaster’s suggestion to stage a children’s concert, and to thank him for same. Accounts amounting to. 3s pd were passed for payment. Mr George Gray handed; in 12s 6d collection by him for the concrete cricket pitch, and with amount collected in room brought sum up to about £ 7. The Secretary was instructed to pay Mr W. Nye £6 14s, cost of preparation of pitch. The tenders for school cleaning were received :—C.Furrie 12s, Mrs Knapp jis, Mrs Nelson 12s. , The Chairman explained . that the high figures were owing to a misconception of the duties. Decided to draw up fresh specifications and call fresh tenders. Mr Baker brought up the question of secondary and technical education, and wanted to know what progress had been made. The Chairman said a start was to be made in the woodwork section. The matter of a High School he had been informed could not on the score of qualification* be expected for at least two years.. He suggested that the Borough Council be asked to call a public meeting. Mr Baker thought Mr Varney should be present as he,would have everything at his finger ends on this important subject. Mr Baker understood that the Board, would supply material, and thought that the young men of the town should have an opporiunity of improving their education. Proposed by Mr Baker and seconded by Mr Wilson that the Borough Council be approached with a view to the calling of a public meeting on the subject of technical education, and that Mr Varney be invited to attend the meeting.—Carried. Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried, that Messrs Clemett, Betty, and Perreau be a deputation to re above sub■Ha^^^Hmeeting.