COMMERCIAL COURSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Shannon News, 16 March 1928, Page 2

COMMERCIAL COURSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

NECESSITY FOR INCREASED ATTENDANCE. The urgent need for extending the educational facilities at the Levin District. High School was emphasised at Alonday night’s meeting of the School Committee, in the course of discussion regarding the proposed commercial course, arrangements for which are now practically complete. It was pointed out that unless the average attendance was increased immediately there w.as great danger of the school losing a .senior teacher. The Secretary read correspondence with the Board advising as to the steps to be taken to organise the course and asking for the Headmaster’s scheme of work, which had been forwarded. The Town Clerk, Levin, advised; that the Borough Council had made a grant of £lO towards the classes.-—de-ceived with thanks. The Chairman said that Aliss Pengelly, who had been appointed to the secondary staff, was competent to teach the subjects needed, for, the commercial course, and the,- deputations that had waited ofi the Borough Council and County Council had been most sympathetically received, these bodies having recognised the need for helping the. high school and generously made grants > of £lO and £ls respectively towards the £35 required for equipment, while a sum of £4 10s had already been contributed by the scholars. It was decided to apply immediately for five typewriters for the use of the commercial students.

The Headmaster said 25 scholars had intimated their intention of taking the course. It would be necessary, however, to obtain the enrolment of ten or twelve new students if the required average attendance was to be maintained. They had a roll number of 102) and to retain the present staff they needed an average attendance of 91. Unfortunately owing to the influenza epidemic, the average had only been 89, and unless they could show the Department that there was a good pros; pect of this being increased, they would, probably lose a senior teacher, which would necessitate the re-organi-sation of the whole secondary department. In the past the school had achieved very creditable results at the examinations, and they had received many congratulations on the fact. Such results Avould not be possible, however, if they lost a senior teacher, and it was only right that the committee and townspeople should know that the school was faced with a serious position Tile staff was enthusiastic and, keen and it would be a great pity if the school had to lose a senior teacher owing to the attendance, It would take a year to regain its position during which the attendance would have to be maintained at the required level. The Committee recognised that the inability to give instruction in com-, mercial subjects in the past had resulted in a certain number of students having to go out of Levin for their education.

Mr Thomson suggested that an active canvass be made of parents having possible students with a view to improving the attendance during the remaining two weeks of the quarter. Some vigorous action was imperative in the interests of the School.

Mr Roe undertook to' compile a list of likely students hnd to arrange with members of the Committee available for a canvass immediately.