PUKEKOHE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 148, 21 February 1916, Page 3

PUKEKOHE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

At the meeting of the above committee held on Monday, the 14th inst, there were present: Messrs F Perkins, chairman, J Belllhouse, J Patterson, E Smith, A P Daysb and J Pi Iking ton, secretary A complaint to the effect that horses were frequently found in the schorl paddurks after dark was considerrd, and it was decided that the pound-kef per be requested to impound horses found upon the school grounds after school hours The Headteacher reported: "That the pupils for the most part did creditably at the final examinations. In the Primary Department three pupils gained certificates of competency and fourteen certificates of proficiency; while in the Secondary Department eight pupils passed the intermediate examination, end one bov, Malcnlm Cruicksbsnk, gained a Junior National Scholarship, and another, Aicken French, gained a Senior Scholarship. The average attendance last Year in the Secondary Department was 21, and in the Primary 255, the latter average entitling the School to the services of an additional pupil teacher, who was away on sick leave. The present roll numbers were 31 and 29.8 respectively, being a substantial increase on the numbers of that time last year. The school buildings weie in good order, the precincts being at present permeated with the odour of tar, owing to the recent tarring and sanding of the school yard and surrounding paths. As tar was a good disinfectant it was a fortunate circumstance. Successful attempts were also being made to keep the closets and outbuildings Bweet and sanitary, so that the pupils would suffer as little as possible by attending school during the heat of the present month. It was decided to send a letter of congratulation to the Headteacher and staff upon the excellent results attained and also to Miss Freeman, teacher of the Secondary Department

It was reported that Mr McDonald, with eleven years' experience in teaching, including a course at the Auckland Training College, had been appointed to the star! as relieving teacher during the atssnea ot Mr Kidling. who bad join'd tte Expeditionary Forces; also that u*ing to the increased attendance Mr L T Maxwell had been attached to the ecbool as an additional pupil teacher

The treasurer reported t v .at the for the year ending December 31st laet bad been audited and certified as correct It was announced that thirty pupils had been enrolled in the Secondary Department, and that thirty-six were required to secure the appointment of another teacher at once on an average attendance of 31 tor the year A progress report upon the efforts being made to secure the establishment of a Technical High School was considered encouraging, and it was decided to again circularise parents of pupilß who are eligible for instruction, but who have not yet presented themselves in the Secondary Department, or who may be travelling to and from Auckland daily, to consider the matter of sending their boys and girls to the District High School, to point out the successes of last year, and to emphasise the value of a Technical High School to the district The committte feel that they should be able to rely upon the support of parents to aid them in their efforts to secure the advantages of Technical Education in the district It was arranged that members of the committee should wait upon parents to further explain matters, if necessary It was decided to shortly proceed with the making of a sard tennis court for the use of the pupils of the Secondary Department and Messrs Bellhouse, Uaysh and Pilkington were deputed to make the necessary arrangements Accounts amounting to £4 17s Id were passed for payment