FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3852, 2 October 1928, Page 3

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Fox- * ton District High School Committee was held last night, presided ■ over by Mr. J. K. Hornblow. There were also present: Messrs D. Christie. S. E. Cowley, A. G. Huntley, H. Hutchins, M. E. Perreau, John Ross, and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangilieuea). Mr, F. A. Mason (headmaster) was also in attendance. An apology for absence was received from Mr. A. W. Stevenson. Correspondence was received and dealt with as follows: — From Agricultural Instructor, submitting plans and specifications for beautifying the old school residence site and laying out garden plots. The chairman said he had invited Mr. Newth (who was present) to discuss the proposed work with the committee. It would be impossible to carry out the work in its entirety at present on account of insufficiency of funds. Mr. Newth discussed the proposed work with the committee and it was decided to approve the layout and to authorise Mr. Newth to carry out portion of the work. From the Board, agreeing to the work proposed to be done in connection with the expenditure of £65, being proceeds from sale of old residence, the work to be done to the satisfaction of the architect. -—lt was pointed out that portion of the work, had been completed. The fence along the Duncan Street boundary had been re-erected and the old residence site fenced off. From the Education Board advising that a special grant of £l2 10/- for incidental expenses had been allocated by the Board. —Received. From same, acknowledging vouchers and statement in connection with turfing and levelling the High School site and enclosing a final payment of £2O. —Received. Accounts totalling £79 9s lid were passed for payment, The visitors’ report was adopted. It was resolved to request the Board to give favourable consideration to make' Foxton a centre for the Junior'High School (proposals for which are reported elsewhere in this issue). HEADMASTER’S REPORT.

The Headmaster reported as follows: —Average roll number for quarter ending Sept. 30th, Primary 394, average attendance 356, percentage 89.9; secondary 46, 44, 95.6. side, 57, 52, 91.2. Sickness had affected the attendance since the last vacation. -September 30th also marks the end of the year for the purpose of grading and. staffing of schools, and for the first time since I have been in charge, the school has failed to maintain its grade, being one short of the requisite number —361. Grading and staffing are based on average attendance and it seems manifestly unfair that because of the prevalence of sickness and bad weather a school should be made to suffer in grade. I am not suggesting that our school is likely so to suffer, but there are many schools in the country which are so affected. Surely the fairer basis would be average roll number. The inspectors visited the school last week, the senior inspector devoting most of his attention to the Secondary Department. As a result of his visit and the At’ork done during the year, twelve pupils, whose names have been already published, are to be recommended for Senior Free Places, entitling them to free secondary education till they are 19 years of age. Five pupils have entered for the Matriculation Examination, and at the express wish of the parents of the pupils, Foxton is to be constituted a centre for the examination this year. I wish to express my appreciation of the action of the parents concerned in agreeing to meet the extra charges entailed in having a centre here. At the request of the Mayor I made an appeal to the children of the school with regard to their behaviour at picture entertainments, etc., behaviour which could hardly be classed as bad and yet was, at least, objectionable to adults. The Mayor informs me that as a result there has since been a marked improvement in the desired direction. I wish to acknowledge with thanks the following gifts to the school: '■

From A. E. Tongs Esq., 8 lamp chimneys for use in science lessons; from Mr. J- Christie, a secondhand tennis racquet and press.

As I mentioned at last meeting, there are over 65 children in the school possessing tennis racquets, and we have only one court for this number to play on. The matter of the provision of hard playing areas is becoming one of extreme urgency. '

.1 am pleased to report splendid entries from the girls of the school in the cookery classes at the recent Horticultural Show, and to note the complimentary remarks of the judge upon the quality of the work. It is proposed to make a display of school work at the November Show.”