FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3661, 5 July 1927, Page 3

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

COMMITTEE MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Foxton District High School was held alst evening, presided over by Mr. J. K. Hornblow (chairman). There were also present : Messrs Alsop, E. Cowley, 11. Hutchins, G. Huntley, R. Rangilieuca (lion, sec.), and the headmaster (Mr, F. Mason). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. Stevenson, M. E. Pcrreau and John Ross. The chairman welcomed Mr. Hutchins back after his recent indisposition. Correspondence was read from the Education Board re subsidies. — The headmaster was authorised to expend a small balance on books for the side-school library. The Board also wrote re truant inspector and the chairman stated that Messrs Moore mid Bergin had been communicated ■ with by the Board re prosecutions. An application from the local Ministers’ Association asking permission to obtain necessary information from the headmaster re the wishes of parents regarding Bible reading, was agreed to. The chairman stated that ministers Lad the right of entry before anti after school hours to give religious instruction, but this application was in regard to ascertaining the wishes of parents on Bible reading in school hours.- He expressed the opinion that the time bad arrived for an acknowledgment of God in schools and lie thought that selected passages of scripture should be read followed by the Lord’s prayer on opening. Permission would be made for those children whose parents objected to the religious exercise from attending. The headmaster and other members expressed similar views. Mr. Alsop reported upon matters in connection with the and he was authorised to carry out any urgent work required. Accounts amounting to £.ll 12s Ld were passed for payment. Resolved that Beach parents confer with the headmaster re conveyance of children above Standard IV from the side-school to the main school. Mr. Stevenson was accorded a vote of thanks for providing and erecting goal posts and posts for basket ball games in the playground and to Mr. Cannon! for supplying manure for the gardens. Messrs Hutchins, Huntley and Alsop were appointed to supervise and pass work being carried! out at the school grounds. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The headmaster reported as follows : “June 30th was the end of the second quarter of the school year and the quarterly returns show the rolls and average attendance of the various departments for the quarter to be as follows: — Roll Aver. No. Attend. Primary 418 37(5 Secondary 38 34 Side School 48 43 Totals 504 453 “This works out. at an average attendance of 90 per s eent. for the whole school for the quarter. Wet weather, together with a good deal of sickness among the pupils, still accounts for many of the absences. On June 21st, 1 forwarded to the Education Board on their instrue-

tions attendance returns for the period from Easter to the week ending June 10th. These returns contained llie names of rhiklrcn belonging to nine different families, and-revealed some appalling cases of parental neglect in this direction. Out of a possible attendance of 150 half-days the following were made by the pupils reported: —30, 08, 70,'81, 82, 83, 80, 98, 90 100 110, 111, 115, 122. In no case could I deem the excuses advanced as satisfactory, and certainly no applications for exemption were made. I also communicated with the parents concerned and am pleased to report that a decided improvement has been the result. •It seems, however, that nothing short of drastic action will bring certain parents to a realisation of their full responsibilities with regard to school attendance. At the side-school nn epidemic of mumps, particularly among the home children, lias reduced tlio attendance of late to below ball:. “On Friday, June 10th, Mr J. Holmes-Runnicles under engagement by your committee began work in connection with singing in the school, and for the purpose the school lias been divided into four grades as follows: —I—Primer1 —Primer classes, 2 —Standards 1 and 2, 3 Standards 3 and 4; 4 —Standards 5 and 0. 1 am extremely hopeful that. hi.s work in the school will beat good fruit and that as a result not only will the children directly benefit but that the class teachers will gain invaluable lessons and so enable them to take this important subject with increased skill and knowledge. “On Tuesday, June 14th, the senior secondary classes vacated the Anglican school and are now accommodated in the old residence. This action was taken with the concurrence of the chairman and secretary, as rvell as that of the Education Board. The following considerations prompted the move: (1) Accommodation in the i csidence is ample, proriding 22 sq. feet per pupil. (Regulations require only 12 sq. ft.) (2) The rooms are warmer and cosier; (3) ventilation : is ample; (4) latrines and w.e s. ot main school are available, as

against one seat at the Anglican room; (5) there is a considerable saving of expense and time to all concerned!; (0) supervision is facilitated; (7) anxiety regarding damage to church property removed; (8) pupils changing classes are not now required to pass through the business portion of the town; (9) a far better school atmosphere prevails, and work is more easily coped with by the Staff. lam pleased also to report that both pupils and teachers are pleased with the change, which is a most important factor. “Winter sports are in progress. The primary boys have played the first round in the Austin Banner competition, and occupy the leading position, not having yet met with defeat. At the conclusion of all games played morning ten has been provided by. the home school, thus adding greatly to the goodwill existing between the pupils of the various schools participating in the competition, viz., Levin, Shannon, Otaki, Ohaii-Mnnakau, and Fox ton. “The High School team meets its engagements regularly in the Fourth grade, competition, but owing to the lowness of the ages of the players the team lias not yet been successful in its contests. “Half the year lias gone, and warmer days will not be long in coming. It is most desirable that swimming should, form a part of the school curriculum. I wonder if your Committee could do anything in the direction of bringing under the notice of the civic authorities the desirability of pushing on with the erection of the swimming baths. “A number of the advanced pupils from the infant department have been promoted to St. 1., and the infant mistress, Miss Williams, would be pleased if parents with young children of school age (5 years) not attending school would permit these little ones to come along and be enrolled now, and so make a start with those recently enrolled." The report was discussed and adopted.