FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4461, 5 June 1930, Page 2

FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton School Committee was held on Monday evening, presided over by Air. AI. E. Perreau. Also present were Alessrs John Ross, C. AI. Ileweft, R. .Mayor, F. Robinson and the secretary (Air. R. Rangilienea). Air. F. .V. Atason (headmaster) was also in attendance). An apology for absence was received from Air. J. K. Hornblow (chairman). VISITORS' REPORT.

Air. !C. M. Howett reported that everything was in good order at the school. In room six a window required attention, however. Ihe plumbing' work recommended had been carried out, but the carpenter s work had not yet been finished.

Air. F. Robinson reported on an inspection ol the school grounds in the company of the headmaster and Mr. Perreau. About 30 yards of day was required to till in dee levities on flic west side and stop the sand drift nuisance. The headmasler said some filling work was necessary as on the west side of the school a hole had been scooped out by the wind which in wet weather would iill with water. Air. Robinson recommended experimenting with n portion of the area by ramming it with clay and afterwards covering.it with tar and mind. He thought this would form a good surface. Mr, liewetl thought the work a risky undertaking with the approach of the wet weather. It was decided to experiment with a strip as indicated, the work to he left in the hands of Mr. F. Robinson. j Mr. Robinson reported that the goal posts in existence were quite fioo<l enough for the present season. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. A letter was read from the secretary of the Wanganui Education Board as follows: “With reference to the attendance at the local District High School during last term. According to the Department’s regulations the staff of the primary department must lie reduced from the beginning of the third term unless the average attendance for the second term i.-. 3of) or more. Unless an average of 3(il or more can be secured lor the year ending September next, the grade of the primary d«pai’tment will he reduced from Ist February.”

The headmaster said that the attendance at the end of last term was 349. The drop was somewhat phenomenal. If a drop in the grade was made the staff would again he effected as well as the committee's capitation. A lot of families were leaving the town. The a vertigo attendance at present was as follows: —Primary school 330 as against usual a (tendance of 370; secondary school 47 and the side school 48. The total attendance was 404 as against 500. Last year the primary attendance was 405 as against 370 to-day. The position

was serious. Air. Robinson asked if there was any possibility of getting more Alotuili children to attend the school, who were at present- going to Oroua

.Downs. The headmaster said that the children were able to obtain a bus service to Oroua Downs. Another cause of the drop in attendance was that 51 children obtained their Proficiency Certificates last year. In the past, the average had been 30.

The headmaster stated that the secondary -attendance was good and going up. Next year he anticipated being able to draw Oroua Downs children to the number of about- fifteen, which,’ if accomplished, would mean an additional teacher and room. Tito matter was held in abeyance and the headmaster will report more fully ou the matter at next meeting.

GENERAL. The matter of clearing the horse paddock and agricultural plot of lupins was left in the hand of Air. Robinson. It was decided to fill in the big deelevily with sand until it was ascertained if the experiment was - successful or not. The action of the headmaster in purchasing goal posts, an axe and load of firewood for the side school was endorsed. The headmaster reported on the excellent arrangements-made by Air. F. Robinson in connection with the children’s visit to Palmerston N. in witness the English-Afanawhenua

match. The committee accorded Mr. Robinson a vote of thanks for his action. ( The headmaster reported that he had three clocks which required rreefing and it was decided to ask Mr. Hunt to erect these when he carried out the other work at the school. Accounts amounting to £25 were passed for payment.