WAIKANAE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Otaki Mail, 7 May 1923, Page 2

WAIKANAE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Report to householders ior year ended March 31st, 1923: —“Your Committee beg- to report as follows: The roll number stands at 82, with an average attendauee of Tti.d for the quarter ending March 31st. last. In spite of several changes during the year in the teaching- stall', the work of the school has been favourably reported upon by the Inspector. Of live candidates who

sat for their proficiency examination, two gained proficiency, two competency, and one an endorsed proficiency, pusses. .Some exhibits of the school children's

work were put in the Paraparnumu snow last lebruary. file school was successful in gaining- twelve tirsi prizes, and twelve second prizes tor piaster-one modelling, map drawing and waiting. This must be considered verv satisfactory. and reflects credit on tire teachers and scholars alike. Towards the close of the year Mr Rodgers, head teacher, was transferred to Island Bay. Mi-

Cooper relieved until December when we were advised that a lady had been appointed as head teacher. This we did not approve of, and advised the Board accordingly. We also expressed the opinion that the school must be isi

charge of a male teacher for the best results to be obtained. We are pleas-

ed to state that out efforts to obtain the appointment of a male teacher as head-master were successful, and Mr Flaherty was duly appointed. Thy presentation of prizes won by scholars ia various standards took place at the

annual break-up of the school in December. During the evening the children all assembled at the school, where a Christmas tree, l-iclily laden with all sorts of good iliings had been prepared by the assistant teacher. Mrs Brown, (every child received something, and all went home with happy hearts, thanks being due 1o Mrs Brown for her elTorts in this direction. In October a concert was arranged bv Mr Cooper in aid of the school grounds improvement. We are pleased to state that a sum of ft! was handed to the Committee from this. Donations have also been receiv-

ed for various purposes from Messrs A. W. Roberts £1 10s, T. Blown £l, H. Hooper £l, and visiting students £l. making a total of £lO on which a sub-

ady lias been applied for. The school ilu-ary has been added In by the pi:rh'tse of “The Children’s History of

til' 1 Wtir. r ‘ consisting of ten volumes -While doing all possible in the way of keeping the grounds in order with the funds available, your Committee has urged upon the Education Board the gieat necessity for an extra grant of money for this purpose, more particularly for the constant cutting which the hedge- demand. Wo would therefore recommend the incoming I committee to continue the demand for !« grant for this purpose. The scheme lof dental treatment instituted by Mr McKenzie .some- little lime ago is proving of untold benefit to those children fortunate enough to be included, and we would urge parents who have not already placed their children under Mi McKenzie’s scheme to give the matter tli ir earnest con-idi-t nlion. The cleaning of the class-rooms and out budding - is now iri efficient hands, and your committee is pleased to note that such work shows a vast improvement on v.hat it was previously. Your Com mitfef- has endettvouted to keep the t school ground- up to tile high standard which lias ruled for >o long, and its efforts in this direction have been speei- ! ally and favourably commented upon bv visiting inspectors. It is only lair to mention that the head teacher. Mr Fla lien y. ably assists the committee ir this work. Outside sealing aeenuiiiioda tion ha- recently been provided for the children. W,- beg to here pirn-,- on re-

cord our deep appreciation of the ser \irendered to the school lay Mr A. W. Robert- who has been a member of the committee for several years, and we can assure you that the school bus lost a good friend by the departure from Wuikanae of Mr Roberts. fn conclusion we beg to thank all those who at any time have assisted lie committee financially or otherwise, ami we trust that our services, which we hope have been faithfully given, will meet with vour approval. —1 - M- Drown, Chairman. ’ ’