SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1183, 11 December 1913, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the local State School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman) Rev. Thomson, Geo. Coley, Hussey, Hunt, Henderson, S. Read and the head teacher, Mr Jackson. The subject of school prizes was discussed. It was unanimously resolved to do away with attendance prizes except as special awards, and to increase the number of merit prizes to six in each class. It was decided to allocate up to £8 for this purpose. It was stated that several residents intended to donate special prizes. It was decided to award the prizes on Thursday, iSth inst. The head teacher and first assistant were deputed to purchase the prizes. The Chairman reported that Miss Wanklyu was severing her connection with the teaching staff, and it was decided to make some suitable recognition of her long and faithful services. The Rev. Mr Thomson reported on his visit to the school during the month. He found everything satisfactory. He suggested that something should be done to improve the drainage in the boys’ lavatory. Mr Coley was appointed to inspect and report to next meeting. It was decided to hold over the purchase of a croquet set until next meeting.

The Chief Inspector’s report on his recent inspection of the school was read, and called forth eulogistic references from committeemen, and a resolution conveying the Committee’s congratulations was passed to the headteacher and staff. The following are a few points from the Chief Inspector’s report: “Tone, very good throughout; classification appears to have received careful attention ; environment, words cannot adequately describe the present condition of the school gardens, it must suffice to say that it is a fine testimony to the skill of the teachers and pupils, as well as to the educational outlook of the Committee. A capital library is presently to be added to the attractions of the school; not merely to its attractions, but to its power for influencing the lives of the pupils for good. Schemes and lesson books mostly of a creditable nature. School needlework —the lady teachers deserve credit for their efforts to keep the quality of the now somewhat too largely neglected subject of needlework up to the mark. Singing—the voices and the teaching are good, and the subject may be expected to reach a high degree of excellence with continuous practice. The physical exercises were being systematically carried out, and the results are seen in the carriage of the pupils.” The individual references to the teachers and classes are on the whole excellent.