FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3980, 6 August 1929, Page 2

FOXTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the local District High School committee was held last night, presided over by M|r. J. K. Hornblow (chairman). There were also present Messrs G. Huntley, Hutchins, M. E. Perreau, G. F. Smith, John Ross and R,. Rangiheuea (hon sec.) An apology for absence was received from Mr. A. lE. Scott. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. Wjm. Ross, to whom the school was indebted for many acts of generosity. Correspondence was received from the Education Board intimating that a ladder would be supplied for the use of the janitor, and asking for furthetr details in connection with the conveyance of children to school from Motuiti and Himatangi. —The headmaster and secretary ito forward details. It. was resolved, on the motion of .Messrs Smith and Roore, to congratulate the Prime Minister and Minister 1 of Education re proposal to consolidate country schools. ■

It was resolved to apply to the Board for a refund of payment made to the Borough Council for water charges. A lengthy discussion took place on th.e subject of free books to children of parents in indigent circumstances. The heaclmjaster stated that the Act provided for this but it was difficult to discriminate. The chairman expressed the opinion that free books should be supplied to children of parents whose average earnings did not exceed £4 10/- per week. It was decided to support the headmaster in any action he took to meet the position. Accounts amounting to £9 7/4 were passed fotr payment. Messrs Perreau and Hutchins were appointed visitors for the month. VISITORAS REPORT. Messrs G. F. Smith and Scott reported that they had inspected the school and grounds on August Ist. They recommended that the old incinerator be removed and rubbish collected and destroyed in the boiler furnace and that suitable Cubbish receptacles be procured. A conference had been held with the Board’s architect and he had agreed to calrry out repairs to the roof and spouting, to overhaul the boiler and heating apparatus and to dig a 20ft. sump on the west side of the school to drain off all storm water. The re-lroofing of portion ot the building would be carried out during the summer vacation. — Adopted. HEADMASTER'S REPORT. The headmaster reported that the school trolls were as follows: — Primary, 401; secondary, 40; side school, 50; total, 491.

The attendances at the side school and in the secondary department have been slightly 'below normal, but in the primary department there has been for the past five weeks an abnormal drop. For that period the roll number has averaged |4OO, while the (average daily attendance has been 326 —a percentage of 81.5. This represents absentees as averaging 72 daily for the whole five weeks. The reason has been the prevalence of influenza. Six members of the staff have 'been off duty at various times suffering from the same cause, including all those teachdrs associated with the infant -department which has been -more affected than other sections of the school.

During the month the whole of the inspectorate, -the physical instructor, and the Board’s architect visited the school, the last-named on July 2nd. The heating of the primary school has been most unsatisfactory and I am convinced that it will continue to be so until the (whole system has been thoroughly overhauled. Schools break up for -the second term vacation on Friday, 23rd inst., and resume on Tuesday, September 10th. The fences at the eastern and western ends of the tennis eou!rt require attentioji if the court is to be available for tennis and the primary experimental gardening plots are to be ready for use this season. It is proposed to hold a shop day on Saturday next in aid of the secondary' department’s sports and social fund, -and the assistance of the committee is solicited. Your committee will be pleased to learn of the success of the primary schools football team m the eompetitons held under the Horowhenua Puiblc Schools’ Rugby Union’s ju|risdiction, the team having won the Austin Banner and the Easton Cup, with the Ohau school as runners-up. The success of the team is due almost entirely to the work of Messrs Procter and Chipper, -who have put in a gireat deal of coaching of very raw material.

Miss G. M. Allan took up her duties at the primary school to6ay and -has been attached to the infant department. if social -oivening was held by the secondary pupils on July 12th. The side school is progressing steadily, hut the woi-k is much handicapped by the fact that many of the pupils are ’ without needful text boolks and 'material. The inspectors’ reports on the whole school which recently came to hand, have given the teachers and myself great satisfaction.”

The report was adopted and repairs to fencing authorised.