$5000 cheque for Waiouru School

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 540, 14 June 1994, Page 7

$5000 cheque for Waiouru School

By

Michele

Monaghan

Five thousand dollars changed hands at the Waiouru Primary School AGMon 1 June. Newly-appointedParent Teachers Associationpresident Bob Hudson presented a $5000 cheque to Board of Trustees chairman Garry Clayton. The money was raised at the school' s recent Desert Gala and will go towards outdoor activities. About 16 parents attended the meeting, the schools roll is 350. Due to the wet weather over the lunch hour teachers were unable to attend as they had to supervise children in their classrooms. The BoT chairperson's report presented by Mr Clayton outlined progress over the last year. He said the three major achievements were: □ The school has implemented a senior school multi-level Maori enrichment class. This followed the success of the junior school' s immersion class. □ 1993 saw the introduction of a maths curriculum from the new national framework. □ Three more computers will be purchased for the senior school out of special grants the school has received. Other improvements included purchase of new heaters, upgrading of toilet and drainage facilities, pathway maintenance and the building of a dangerous goods store. Mr Clayton reported that the school was fortunate to have a low level of vandalism ensuring maintenance funds were not wasted. Mr Clayton closed his report saying the previous board had set a very good standard for the present board to follow for the continued development of the school. Tauri Morgan then presented the principal's report, saying there may be a few bad points but emphasised children should go to school to enjoy themselves and make academic progress. 'Teachers should enjoy themselves too," he said. He quoted a recent report that suggested 38 per cent of New Zealand teachers wanted to get out of teaching because it was too stressful. Mr Morgan encouraged parent support and called it a partnership. He said points to note were: □ Because of legal requirements teachers have been put on the spot in regards to giving children medicine. Written permission will be insisted upon while the school clarifies some matters, said Mr Morgan.

□ There has been increasing unruly behaviour in the school and Mr Morgan said it is important to make teachers aware of changing family circumstances. He said some leading schools were using suspension as a means of punishment. A suggestion from the floor could see the school looking into alternative programmes. □ Mr Morgan said after a great deal of lobbying a part time speech therapist is now available in the school. He said special needs children were probably about 10 per cent, which he thinks is slightly above the national average. Enquiries will be made in to what the national average is to determine the level of help the school can ask for. Mr Morgan said at the moment the very able students are only receiving a minimal amount of extra assistance. He said that would be fixed as soon as possible. Mr Hudson then presented the PTA president's report. He thanked all involved with the running of the school cafeteria. He explained that a good deal of the PTA funds comes from the cafeteria. Mr Hudson said he hoped to see a high turnout at PTA meetings which will now be held on the third Monday of the month. "I am plugging to get the PTA stronger," he said. "We've got to get together, we've got all the mediums in place it's just a matter of using them." Mr Hudson said one achievement this year was the painting of the playground. He said that w^s straight effort and didn't involve large quantities of cash. The playground work was done by a Warrant Officer's course who were looking for activities to complete. He said the gala didn' t quite the make profits expected but was pleasing all the same. Mr Hudson discussed several ideas for fund-raising including a 'cash for cans' scheme. He said all that was needed was the support. Willy W alker, JP, continued on the theme of parent support. The school charter and policies have to be re-written, said Mr Walker. "I would dearly love the community to get involved," he said. Mr Walker' s theory is that many hands make light work and the re-writing will be a mammoth task if left to only a few. Also the work would be good training for people interested in becoming members of the BoT. He said names of volunteers could be given to the school secretary. The transient nature of Waiouru' s population was at the fore of all reports. Difficulties with high staff turnover, loss of continuity for both the BoT and PTA members were mentioned.