SCHOOL MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 13 August 1907, Page 2

SCHOOL MATTERS.

During the existence of every school committee little unpleasantnesses and misunderstandings arise. Sometimes a battle is fought with the Board, and at other times with the headmaster. Much friction would be avoided if committee men would make themselves acquainted with the Education Act and regulations. It is part of the master's business to be fo informed. At the local school committee meeting held on April i6tb, the headmaster notified the committee that the school would be re-classified, and submitted results of careful examinations of the various classes. At that meeting there were present Messrs Clemett (chair), Barnard, Betty, Frankland, Coley, Gray, and Wilson. On the motion of Messrs Frankland and Barnard the headmaster’s action re classification was endorsed. The master has conscientiously carried out the reclassification. . The status of certain scholars has been reduced. This has created a little feeling among certain parents who have aired their troubles to committee men. As we have already reported, the committee at its last meeting decided to ask the headmaster “ to explain matters ” at a meeting to be held this week. Yet, at a previous meeting, the present committee (excepting Mr Hennessy, who was not then a member) endorsed the headmaster’s action re classification. For obvious reasons we should be extremely sorry to see this matter re-opened. We hope the committee will also see the wisdom of this. We would further refer the committee to Section IV. of the Regulations, Clause 3: “The classification of a school shall be made by the head teacher, who shall have full discretion to arrange his pupils in different classes for different subjects, according to their ability and proficiency with

re«pect to the several subjects,” We also refer them to the remaining' clauses. In conclusion, we hope the committee will do all in its power to assist the present headmaster in his desire to make the Foxton School one ol the best educational institutions under the Board’s control.