SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1785, 5 February 1918, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the local State School Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Rev. J. H. Bredin, Betty, Hussey, McMurray, Read and Woods. An apology for absence was received from Mr Perreau. Correspondence was read from the Rev. Mr Braddock re religious instruction in the school, and asking that permission be given to continue classes for religious instruction on cine day a week at the school. —The Chairman said religious teachers were afforded the right of entry for religious instruction before or after school hours. At the request of the ministers, the Board had sanctioned the school opening at 9.30 o’clock on one day of the week. The i'eligious instruction classes had been abandoned, but the, same facilities of entry were open to religious instructors if desired. The Committee ami staff were not responsible for the conduct of these classes, but there was nothing to hinder any member of the staff giving voluntary assistance to religious instructors. The Committee would not clear the playground of children whose parents did not require their children’s attendance at the classes, during the time classes were held. The arranging and conduct of the classes within the limits stated were entirely in (he hands of the ministers and parents. —The Chairman’s views were endorsed by the Committee. —AI a later stage the Rev. Mr Braddock waited upon the Committee, and its views were submitted to him. He thanked the Committee, and gave some details of the work which lie. had conducted in other schools in this connection throughout the Dominion. Correspondence was read from the Board re appointments of teachers. —It was decided to ask the Board to give more attention to the health of teachers appointed to the school. At present two teachers on 'the staff were in poor health, and this militated against the class work, The Board notified the Committee that the subsidy on the £2O voluntarily contributed for asphalting the front path and assembly had come to hand. —lt was decided to proceed with the work, and the question of procuring tar was left hi the hands of Mr Woods and the Chairman was authorised to procure cinders and labour. The Secretary pointed out that an account had been forwarded to the Board from a local tradesman for settlement out of balance of a ,previous subsidy, but had not been paid, and a request for settlement was being pressed.---The Board to be communicated with. The head t eacher reported as follows The school opened on Friday with an attendance of 297; today’s attendance was 354; the roll number is now 380, The average for the year ending December 31st, 1917, was -333.8, out of an average roll number of 373.7, References were made to recent appointments to the staff. During the holidays two panes of glass were broken, and the recent wind blew in a sash, all the glass being broken. —The report was received, and Mr Read was authorised to attend to the repairs. In reference to the attendance, the Chairman said lie had been informed that a number of pupils had been .transferred from the Convent school to the State school. Mr Jackson, head teacher, wrote, notifying the Committee that he had accepted a transfer to the Queen’s Park school, Wanganui, and took the opportunity of thanking the Committee for the courtesy and cooperation which had always been extended to him. —It was decided to leave discussion on this question over till next meeting. The Board forwarded the application of Mr I. J. Furrie, together with testimonials, for headmastership of the school. —It was unanimously decided to approve of the appointment, amfeompliraentary references wen* made to the good qualities of tlie appointee. Messrs Betty and Hornhlow were appointed visitors for the month, and accounts were passed for payment, The meeting then rose.