FOXTON STATE SCHOOL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1540, 18 April 1916, Page 4

FOXTON STATE SCHOOL

COMMITTEE’S ANNUAE REPORT.

The following is the annual report of the State School Committee submitted to last night’s meeting of householders :

“Eadies and Gentlemen. I have the honour to submit the Committee's annual report. During the year twelve meetings were held, the attendances of Committeemen being as follows: —Messrs W. Raiue 12, Hornblow 11, Chrystall 9, Henderson, Perreau, Hussey and Woods 8, Dr Mandl and R. T. Betty 7- At the first meeting, Mr Hornblow was reelected chairman, and the Rev Mr Raine secretary and treasurer. Your Committee brought under the notice of the Board the urgent necessity for increased accommodation, as several of the classrooms were overcrowded, and such overcrowding was a menace to the health of the children, besides interfering with and retarding their studies. After due investigation and much correspond ence, the Board recommended a grant for the purpose, which the Department subsequently sanctioned on the personal application of Mr Pirani. As a result, an extra class-room has been erected on modern lines, and sufficient accommodation is now provided to meet requirements for some years to come. The ventilation of three class-rooms is still very unsatisfactory, despite certain improvements effected in this connection. The necessity for improved ventilation, particularly during the recent hot weather, was brought under the Board’s notice, and the Board’s foreman of works visited the school and made an inspection in conjunction with your Chairman. He sub mitted an estimate of the cost of the required work —about ,£18 — and the Board has sanctioned the work provided the Committee pay half cost. This the Committee has agreed to do, and the work has been let, and will be carried out at an early date. Other minor improvements have been undertaken, and necessary repairs effected. The grounds and gardens are in good order. Another appeal was made to the Borough Council to forego the sanitation charge—£B 10s per year—but the Council refused to grant any relief to the Committee in this matter. Your Committee is of opinion that the charge is excessive, and the Council should not penalise the Committee in its endeavour to protect the health of the children of the ratepayers. This charge is a heavy tax on the capitation grant, the Committee’s only assured finance, which is barely sufficient to meet incidental expenses. Your Committee suggest that the Council be again approached on the subject. The Committee applied to the Board for the rent of old school residence, which the latter collects and retains, but it was informed that the application had been “received.” The incoming Committee are recommended to again ask the Board to transfer the rental to the Com-

mittee. A new schedule of duties re school cleaning was drawn up and applications invited for the position of caretaker at a salary of £l per week. Mr McKnight was re appointed at the increased salary, and the work is being carried out very satisfactorily. During the year the school has lost the services of one of its most efficient assistants, in the person of Miss McHardie, 8.A., who has taken a position under the Wellington Board, also Mr Burgess (temporarily), who has been granted leave of absence while serving his King and country at the front. The school is now fully staffed, and the result of the years’ work has proved very satisfactory. The Committee has not been called upon to hear any complaints from parents, and a spirit of hearty co operation exists between the staff, the Committee, and parents. The present roll number is 390, and the average attendance for March quarter was 345*49. During the recent epidemic the Committee received the sanction of the Board to cldse the school for the purpose of thoroughly cleaning, disinfecting, and fumigating the classrooms. The last named work was carried out by the District Health Officer. The health of the children, on the whole, is excellent, and this is due, in large measure, to the careful supervision exercised by the Committee and staff in respect of the buildings and environment, and to the carrying out of the health suggestions by the parents. During the year Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., has delivered several lectures to the elder scholars on scientific and highly educational subjects, and the Committee expresses its appreciation of the ,kindly interest manifested by this gentleman in the educa tional welfare of the scholars. Technical classes cookery for girls, and woodwork for boys — are now in existence under the Board’s experts, and keen interest is evinced by the scholars in same. The classes are held in the Town Hall supper-room. The Committee is indebted to Mr Redgrave for his services as cricket coach. The Committee learns with regret that Mr Pirani is about to resign bis position as Chairman of the Board. It is sensible of the keen interest he has taken in this and every other school under the Board’s jurisdiction, and in educational matters generally, and the loss the State would sustain by his resignation. The Committee therefore suggests that a resolution be passed at this meeting asking Mr Pirani to reconsider his resignation. The balance-sheet discloses that the Committee has managed to carefully husband its finances, and while practising economy, has not neglected any important matter which has had for its object the health of the scholars and the welfare of the school. In all matters the Committee have had the hearty co operation of the head teacher, staff and parents. The balance sheet discloses that the year commenced with a- debit of 13s 7d, and ended with a credit of £2 6s. The total receipts were _£Bl Bs, and the expenditure £l9 2s. The incoming Committee will be called upon to make an appeal for funds to assist them in carrying out the suggested improvements re ventilation this year.— I have the honour to be, etc., “John K. Hornblow, “Chairman of Committee.”

The balance sheet, as passed by the auditor, Mr A. J. Kellovv, shows a credit of £2 6s Od. The receipts totalled 8s Od, made up of capitation fees 13s Od, and refund 15s. The expenditure amounted to £l9 2s Od, the chief items of which were : Cleaning tion 10s Od, repairs £5 3s Od, grounds improvement £4 19s 9d, and stationery 16s 6d.