WEST WAIUKU SCHOOL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 25, 28 August 1912, Page 1

WEST WAIUKU SCHOOL

An Interesting Review.

Our Mauku correspondent writes : —"As showing the progress of this district it is interesting to note some particulars in connection with the local schools, the attendance and number of children being a good guage as to the advancement of the phice. Some of the work being conducted by the headmaster is also worthy of special mention, work which a great many parents are unaware of. The West Mamku school, which was taken charge of by the present headmaster (Mr G. A.- Gutry) in the early part of February, 1907, has shown marked progress ; the roll number, which at that time only numbered 22 all told has now increased to a total of 70, with an average for the past quarter of 60. This is exceptionally good considering that a large proportion of the children are very young, have a considerable distance to come, and have had the late severe weather to contend against.

" A splendid system (that of monthly exams.) is in vogue, reports of ffhich are sent to the parents every month. These reports show the number of times the child has been absent during the month, number of times late, the marks obtained for each subject and the place in the class. This causes a friendly rivalry between the scholars, and the maximum amount of work is secured in a very progressive and encouiaging manner. Following is the list of those who came first in their standards for the recent exam.:—St. 6, G. Morley, 635 ; st. 5, R. Firtk, 645 ; St. 4, L. Hodges, 620 ; st. 3, J. Runciman, 570 (possible marks of foregoing 700); st. 2, E. Franklin, 420 ; st. 1, F. May, 420 (possible 500). "Mr Gutry has taken considerable time and care in instructing standard 4, 5 and 6 boys in semaphore signalling, and a really proficient squad of experts may be seen any week flagging off messages with precision and smartness of a party of army signallers, all being proficient in reading, sending and receiving messages. In a year or two these boys should be a splendid asset to the Territorials

" During the past few months Mr Gutry has had the boys hard at work getting plots ready for gardening operations. These plots are enclosed with a rustic fence, also built by the master and boys from the branches of a large tree they cleared away. The gardens have been all sown in oats, which is now being dug in preparatory to planting operations. " Notwithstanding the steady work done during school hours Mr Gutry is a thorough believer of play during play hours, and every day may be seen taking his place in a football or cricket team, some of the boys being so expert at tho latter game that our local cricketers would have to play carefully agains>t the young fellows' trundling or stonewalling."