SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2822, 11 December 1924, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Foxtori State School Coimnittee was held last night and was presided over by Mr J. K. Hornblow (chairman). There was also in attendance Messrs Cowley, Jno. Ross, Perreau, Rangiheuea (hon. secretary) and the headmaster (Mr F. Mason). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Parkin, Stevenson and Geo. Coley. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: From Education Board advising that a special grant of £8 to capitation allowance had been made. —Received. From same, asking for information re expenditure for sanitation. —lt was explained that the expense would be incurred to.meet the Borough water supply demand at school. From Mr Christ,offersen, teacher in charge of Beach School, enclosing balance-sheet of school prize fund and credit, balance to be devoted to school library fund. — Received. From Mr Warwick, first assistant, re occupancy of old school house. —The chairman stated that, il was the intention of the Board to use life building for cookery and woodwork classes as soon as the lease or the building used for the latter purpose expired. The commit tee decided to endeavour to find a residence for Mr Warwick.

Letters were read and dealt with in committee from a. correspondent dealing with domestic affairs. —Resolved to forward correspondence on to the Board for an opinion.

Accounts amounting to £5 3/9 were passed for payment. lIEADMA STljirS REPORT. “The roll number last week was 421. Average attendance 96.5 per cent. During (he mmi'h the Inspectors visited the school for the purpose of conducting I lie Sid. VI proficiency examination and a general examination of the work- done duriiio (he year. Thirty-five pupils were presented for the Sid. VI. examination; 34 gained proficiency eerti-fh-ales and one gained endorsed competency. I examined the whole school fot tin* purpose of classification for 1,925 amt T am very sorry id report that the frequent changes in staff have bad their effect upon llio work of Ihe school. This is a matter which requires looking into for no school can hope to maintain n high degree of efficiency if it is continually being hampered by changes in its teaching personnel. The annual school concert will be held in the Town Hall on Thursday, December 19th. Proceeds will be in aid of the ’Xruas tree for infants and the balance going to the school library fund. Presentation of special prizes and certificates will take place at the school on Wednesday neft at 2.30, followed bv the visit of Father Christmas to the infants. As I do not feel that I am in a position to adjudicate on the matter of prize-winners this year, there will not be a general prize-giving on this occasion. “In addition to the matters already brought under-your notice I would like to recommend that electric light and a hot point be installed in the school, and that the gas service be dispensed with. T would also ask the Committee to apply to the Board for an extra table and chair for the office, and for six extra desks and 29ft. of hyloplate for' wall blackboards at the side school.

“A new mower is required, also top for the present sand table and a small acquarium tank for the study of plant life.” Til moving the adoption of tho report the Chairman congratulated the headmaster and the late Actingheadmaster (Mr Davidson) on the excellent proficiency results, which constituted a record for the school. It was dcided to apply to the Board for the requirements set out in the report and to purchase >a new mower. The committee endorsed the remarks of the headmaster re staff changes and expressed the opinion that positions should be occupied for the full year. Other matters, of a routine character were dealt with.