HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 544, 30 May 1933, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING . BOROUGH COUNCIL HELP SOUGHT TO BEAUTIFY ENTRANCES STAFF'S WORK EULOGISED The usual monthly meeting of the Rotorua High School Board was held last evening, the following members being present: — Mr. R. B. Nesbitt (chairman), Archdeacon Chatterton, Mrs. I. Davidson, Messrs, H. A. Goudie, H. M. Martin, O. H. Coleman, W. G. Harwood (headmaster) and J. D. Davys (secretary). Mr. E. A. Meredith, the board's arbitrator in connection with its leases having resigned, M,r. E. Earle Vaile was appointed to the position. The headmaster inf ormed the board that a meeting of parents would be held at the school to-night to give effect to a recommendation passed at a meeting earlier in the month. It was suggested that membership to the proposed Parents' Association be given to any parent, or past parent of pupils and also to those who were active in supporting the school. The aims of the association would be to bring the parents into closer touch with the teaching staff of the school and to study the pupils' welfare. It was not intended that its activities should confiict with the provisions of the act controlling the activities of the school. At meetings of the association, many useful discussions could be held by parents in connection with the many questions concerning the school. Assembly Hall A scheme could also be considered to provide a school assembly hall and he suggested that this c'ould be commenced by a subscription fund. The present would be an ideal time to commence the construction of the hall and the work could be done at a minimum of cost and provide work for many unemployed men. The chairman said that he thought the board would fully support the movement and that he had been surprised to see the enthusiasm displayed at the original meeting of parents held earlier ip the month.

Work Appreciated A letter of appreciation of the valuable service being rendered by the board, the headmaster and the teaching staff was received from Mr. F. J. Davis, who has a son attending the school. The letter was received the chairman commenting on the conscientious work being performed by the staff and the extra hours worked. The borough council are. to be asked to authorise the planting of an avenue of trees on the Pererika Street entrance and also to arrange for relief labour to clear the frontage on Pukuatua Street. On behalf of the grounds committee, Mr. H. A. Goudie, said that it was hfs committee's object to beautify the entrances to the school and he felt that this would be- an advantage to the town as a whole. The matter was supported by Mr. Martin, who said that the entrances were very unsightly and could be much improved. Headmaster's Report Reporting to the board the headmaster stated, inter alia: — The School closed for the winter vacation on May 4, reopening on Tuesday, May 23. The roll of the senior school stands at 157, and the junior school at 149. On Tuesday, May 2, a meeting of parents was held at the school. This meeting was adjourned till Tuesday, May 30. There appears to be every likelihood that the school will be enriched by the creation of a body of adult supporters, and I look forward to more successful work both inside and outside the school once such a body begins to function. I have to report the arrival of the typewrite-rs authorised by the board. This brings our stock of typewriters up to twelve, so that it is possible for the work to be carried on under very satisfactory conditions. It will, however, be necessary to provide cupboard accommodation for the- machines. Improvement to Grounds Extensive work on the grounds during the holidays should result in some control of the paspalum; the thinning out of the trees, and removal backwards of the tennis netting along the Pukutua Street frontage has improved the area available for tennis very much, and I hope that before next season it will be possible to erect a dividing fence between the two lines of courts. I -feel it to be desirable that the agricultural course at the school should include some work on fruit trees, and I would suggest to the board that steps be taken to lay out a small experimental orchard at the ■school.