FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3842, 8 September 1928, Page 3

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Foxton D.H. School Committee was held last night, presided over by Mr.-J. K. Hornblow (chairman). There were also present: Messrs D. Chilstie, S. E. Cowley, G. Huntley, H. Hutchins, John Ross, R. Rangiheuca (hop. sec.), and the headmaster (Mr. F. A. Mason). It was resolved to carry out the following works with the money available from the proceeds of the sale of the old school residence, and to inform the Board accordingly. — Re-erect the Duncan Street fence and to provide two gates; erect a bicycle shelter; fence otf the old school residence site for agricultural classwork and provide wire netting for tennis court. It was decided to apply to the Board for the services of the agricultural instructor to draAV up a plan for improving and beautifying the south-west portion of the school ground, and to ask the architect to prepare plans for the bicycle shelter. Mr. Christie moved that tenders be called for the work recommended, but it was decided to carry out the work by day labour, and a subcommittee consisting of Messrs Christie, Ross, Huntley and the chairman were authorised to carry out the work. The chairman was instructed to make enquh’ies re employing labour to keep the lawns and garden plots in order and to relieve the janitor of this work. It was reported that extra tennis courts were necessary, the basket ball area needed improving and a playing area set aside for the infants. The headmaster suggested that the basket ball area if laid down could also be used for extra tennis courts.. It was decided to endeavour to raise funds at a later date for these purposes. The chairman and headmaster were deputed to confer with the janitor re certain work. The headmaster was asked to report re class accommodation in the secondary department. The secretary reported that the grant from the Board and Borough Council was not sufficient to cover the cost of levelling, turfing, etc. the High School site. The expenditure exceeded the grant by £9 2s 4d and it was decided to submit the details to the Board. It was resolved to transfer the proceeds from the concert held last year to the library fund and to apply for subsidy on same. Messrs Cowley and Huntley were appointed visitors for the month. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The Headmaster (Mr. F. A. Mason) reported as follows: “The work of the school for the past few weeks as well as one or two suggestions which I trust will receive due consideration. Rolls Atten.

‘‘The above statement of rolls and attendances indicate that while the secondary and side schools maintain a high percentage of attendance the . primary department shows a percentage of only 84.3 for the week just ended. This low figure is due to stress of weather together with an unusual amount of sickness among the children of the upper classes. “During August the whole of the standard classes and secondary forms were subjected to their second term tests, and I am pleased to report that good progress is being made by the children throughout the school.

“Reports were issued to parents as usual, thus enabling them to take a keener interest in their children’s progress. “Entries for outside examinations for this year are as follows: Junior National Scholarship, 3 Senior National Scholarship, 4 Senior Free Places, 11 Public Service Entrance, 4 Matriculation, 5 “Results of these examinations will, of course, not be known until early next year. “During the vacation the buildings were thoroughly scrubbed out, and the standard classrooms and two big corridors' were sprayed with the disinfectant preparation recently purchased. “At the end of the term I forwarded on behalf of the staff a letter of appreciation (already published), to the Dorcas Society, for the work organised and carried out during the winter months. “The winter sports season has ended. In the primary football contests our school for the first time irr three years suffered defeat, the Austin Banner and Noad Shield having been won by the Levin D.H. School to whom we have extended our heartiest congratulations. “Basket ball games have been regularly played by the girls, but only four inter-school matches have taken place against Shannon and Foxton Convent.

“The secondary department has been splendidly catered for in both football and basket ball, they having played matches against Levin D.H.S. (4), Marten D.H.S. (2), and Hutt Valley D.H.S. (1). “On all these occasions the visitors have been hospitably entertained aiding largely our objective of establishing school traditions, commenting friendships and creating healthy rivalry among the schools mentioned.”

Primary 395 333 Secondary 46 44 Side 56 56