HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3507, 6 July 1926, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the above was held in the secretary’s office last night, presided over by Mr. F. Woods (chairman). There were also present: Messrs M. E. Perreau, A. Stevenson, Jno. Ross, W. Alsop, J. Iv. Hornblow, and R. Rangiheuea (secretary). The headmaster Mr, F. Mason was also in attendance and apologies for absence were received from the Rev. W. H. Walton and Mr. H. Hutchins. The chairman reported on several matters in connection with improvements and repairs at the school and his actions were endorsed. Correspondence was read and received from the Board as follows: —(1) authorising the installation of gas heaters in the temporary secondary class-rooms at a cost of £7 5s Od; (2) consenting to the purchase of gramaphone and records out of subsidy—the headmaster to select records; (3) stating that the Department would not consent to the conversion ■ of old school residence into cooking and woodwork class-rooms and asking what rent was received from the building, whether it Avasj insured and connected with water and drainage, and asking that the rental be set off against rent for woodwork] and cooking classes. It was resolved to inform the Board that the old residence had been condemned by the Health De- ** partment, and in the circumstances the committee does not see its way to connect same with water and drainage; that the rental received is £3O per year; the building is not insured and that the committee desires to be relieved of any responsibility in connection with the building. Accounts amounting toi £4O 11s 2d were passed for payment. Resolved that the committee bear the cost of the repair to window broken) by a pupil at the Presbyterian Church at a cost of 13/9. Mr. Hunt conferred with the committee re tennis court improvements and his account was passed for payment. Mr. Alsop’s report on the side school was adopted. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. “Before detailing my report I would like tof tender my heartiest congratulations to Mi-. J. K. Hornblow on his being elected to represent the schools of the Southern Ward of the Wanganui Education District on the Wanganui Education Board. Personally I know of no one in this extensive ward more fitted and better able to watch over .our interests in particular and those of the district in general than Mr. Hornblow, and I confidently anticipate 1 that his election will materially hasten the consummation of Foxton’s many educational requirements —particularly the erection of suitable buildings to accommodate our secondary and technical classes. “Rolls. —The total school roll to date is 497, and is made up as follows: —Primary department 424, Secondary department. 331, Side School department 40. The average attendances for the. quarter ending June 30th were 382, 33' and 3S respectively. “Accidents in playground.—On June Bth Joan McPherson (St. 5) fell over an infant boy in the playground and broke an arm. On June 9th my own daughter (St. 5) while running relay races in the girls’ ground tripped on a protruding turf, breaking her arm and spraining a wrist, while on Friday last Bernard Gardiner (St. 5) sprained an ankle in the boys’ ground. These accidents, in two instances, can be more or less attributed to the unsatisfactory and unsafe condition of the playing area, and indicate the urgent necessity for having the grounds attended to. “Absence of teacher. —-Mr. D. P. McMurray probationer on the staff is at present in Palmerston North Hospital where he underwent an operation on Thursday, June 24th, and is likely to be absent from duty for some six weeks. “Heating.—The heating of the primary school is giving satisfaction while the gas radiators provided for the Anglican schoolroom are feeble in their effect. “Sports. —A football competition between the Shannon, Foxtoii, Levin and Otaki intermediate schools has been inaugurated, and three games have already been played. It may interest you to *- • know that to date our school team, coached by Mr. C. Procter, assistant on the staff, has won all its matches. The trophy being played for is the Austin Banner. “General health of children. — The average attendance for last quarter (93 per cent.).*. indicates that on the whole the general health of our children is good. I notice, however, that there is some sickness prevalent in the district at present and the attendance is consequently being slightly affected thereby. “Side school.—Everything at the side school is in a most satisfactory condition.” The report also referred to certain repairs and requirements and was adopted. The chairman and Mr. Stevenson were appointed visitors for the month.