SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

Shannon News, 25 July 1922, Page 3

SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—ln your last issue, there appears a letter in connection with the Shannon School Committee written by “Q.E.D.,” and while fully appreciating • the interest “Q-E.D.” is' exhibiting in the School Committee’s appeal for finance on account of the children’s annual picnic, one cannot, overlook the fact that%is opinion falls very flat, inasmuch that the writer has not seen fit to disclose his identity, for it appears to me there is always a-flav-ouring of doubtfulness in a persons’s composition who strikes a blow and the receiver knows not from whom or I whence it comes. While the School Committee are quite prepared to support their appeal on behalf of the children, they would at the same time like to know who “Q.E.D.” is, as there is just a glimpse of hope he may be a useful adviser, or it may be he has nothing to and like the lion in the forest, roars back at his own echo. In any case his identity would be of considerable interest, and for “Q.E.D.’s” special benefit I will endeavour in a few words to enlighten his’mind regarding the special duties of a school committee.

1. The position is purely honorary —plenty of work in the teachers’ and children’s interests, but no pecuniary gains accruing. 2 To receive grants of money from the Education Board and allocate same on the sanitary cleaning ol school, upkeep of school grounds and general.

3. To receive reports from school inspectors, head .teacher and staff, parents and children,~and deal with them on their merits without fear or -favour.

4. To assist the head teacher and staff, parents and children in the general support, and harmony of the school.

5. To interest every man and woman with a heart, to assist in giving the little children one day’s delight in a year at the seaside, and in order to make , this a success, we welcome suggestions from “Q.E.D.” and the public generally. I should like to point out a school is very different from a club. “Q.E.D.” says, if you want a thing done, do it yourself. Very good. But if a club’s members raise funds, they do it to assist their own enjoyment. With a school picnic, I claim, and I think justly so, that it becomes everyone’s duty to try and assist, and it is the Committee’s desire to endeavour, with the assistance of any help or suggestions from the public, to raise funds by means of entertainments, either in the form of children’s concerts or otherwise, and so eliminate for all time the necessity of asking children to beg from house to house for money for their own picnic. “Q.E.D.” says, if the teachers won’t help, there are are plenty who will. That is just the point we want to arrive a-t, and the Committee will ■gladly welcome any volunteers who Avill come along, and can promise them our united support, with one common aim in view—the success of the children’s picnic day—l am, etc., ' JAS. W. MURRAY, Chairman, School Committee.