PUKEKOHE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 41, 5 November 1912, Page 3

PUKEKOHE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Monthly Meeting. Ihrre were present la t right at tbe monthly meeting of the Pukekohe District High School Committee: Messrs C. K. Lawne (chairman), A. P. Daysh, A. E. Wilkinsin, J. Patterson, J. Pilkington and F. | Perkins. VISITING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Visiting Committee's report, as follow, was read:— Spoil Earth.—The Committee consider that the contractor might have levelled off the earth on the footpath, also that carting of material should have been on south sid° ol the fe.ice instead of on tbe footpath. School Gardens —The *chcol garden is showing carefui attention. Mr Flavell pointed out the various experimental plots which are being made with potatoes and different manures. Recently grass experiments have been put down. The Committee would draw your attention to the fact that the gardens will be left during the Christmas holidays without a caretaker, snd someone should be appointed to look after the garden so as to prevent wanton damage being done. Gates or Posts.—lhe headmaster asked Uat gates or posts be put in the fence between the horse paddock, also parade g<oand and school," to as to assist the children assembling after recess, as the turnstile n too slow, only one child being able to get through at a time, consequently they have to get through the fer.ee at present. Grading the Land at Front of School.—The headmaster asked when the Committee intended to have the necessary work done iD front of the school, as at prereot it was not an ornament and did not add to the appearance of the schc ,1. The teachers were desire us of beautifying the front, but could do rothirg until the excavating was complet:d. Technical School. —Mr Flavell asked who had charge of the Technical School buildings, and if the Committee had any jurhdictlon over them. During the visit we found the door under the school open, also a large qumtity of straw ard shavings lying i bout. Some person should be responsible for locking up the building. Drain. —The overflow drain from the school empties oi a certain bank, and the architect's attention should be drawn to this, as a scak hole ia required to pre/en a nuisance. School Cleaning.—The headmaster reported that the cleaning was rot as good as it had been, owing* to (he children beiug left to themselves to do the vork; alro that ink nad been spilled. Attendance,—Mr Flivell commented upon the attendance, which, owing to various causes had materially dropped from 207 to about 180 for the quarter. If the attendance was not kept up during the piesent quarter, there was the probability of losing the txtra assistant teacher the school was entitled to under ordinary condition?, and that would mean more work for the present Etaff with less efficient results. The headmaster trusted that the Committee would endeavour to assist in keeping up the average." The question as to who was in charge ot the Technical School caused same discussion. The chairman remarked that the Committee had nothing to do with it, ard he pi.sumed that the responsible person was the technical instructor. Messia Daysh and Perkins were appointed to attend to the substitution of posts for the turnstiles. The matter of arranging with tomeone to look after the school gardens was left in the bands cf the chairman and Mr Patterson. The Visiting Committee were congratulated on the excellence of their report. The secretary was instructed to write to. ihe Board's ? r chitect regarding the surface drain. IHE HIGH SCHOOL. The chairman said the question of popularising the High School had been brought under his notice. It had been suggested that a circular letter be sent to the headmasters of the neighbouring schcols. Mr Patterson suggested that the secretary be instructed to write to the Educaliin Department for a list of names of children in the sixth standards in the surrounding schools, and then send a circular to each of the parents. It was useless to seul the circular to the teachers, as they would simply thiow ii in the wast - ; paper basket. They did not want the High School, as it int rfered with their seventh st;'",d<-'ds. He moved in this direction. The chairman seonded the icso!ution, which w; i carried. THE ATTENDANCE. The hendmastsr wrote as follows: "I enclose a sv'gesied circular to pr'ents, asking their cc operation in securing a high average attendance this qur-Ur, to make up the deficiency in '"le September The actual figures are m tollows:—{ Average at* ndance for qua ter end-j ing 31st March, 207; tor quarter ending 20th June, 207; for qua'ter j ending uOth September, 184. "The average for the piesent month is so far 202. For the next six weeks to n akc the position safe 'he average should he about 210 If parents will take the matter seriously . and do their best, I fee-1 sure t'.is aven-ge may be secured." Ihe cir- I cular wri read, and it was decided to send a Cjpy of it 11 all parents. 1 GENERAL. The chairman reported that the School cleaner had given a month's notice.—lt was decided ' > oiler Mrs Hughes il2f> a year if she would continue. Permission was granted t) the ! Pukekohe Cricket Club to use the i volunteer parade ground. It was decided to hold a picnic on fie breaking-up of the school fcr the t hrutrnas vacation. 'lhj chairman repjrted that he had ijran>~d a holiday on Lai air I),-iV. - Action endorse !.

A iJa/.aar is to lit: held in I'ukckuh«■ iit Kaster hi aid <• f th>' Caihoii • i Church.' ! Messrs Ruckland and Son arc h< Iding a sale on behalf of Mr VV. Crump, | of Bombty, on November 16th Full j particulars are advertised.