SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

Shannon News, 24 April 1928, Page 3

SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

HOUSEHOLDERS MEETING AT SHANNON.

Very little interest was taken in the above meeting held in the Schoolroom last evening, the only persons present being the members of the outgoing committee and the new committee who had been duly elected owing to only the required number of candidates being nominated. Mr R. L. Tippler occupied the chair. , After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed the balance sheet was submitted which showed the picnic fund to be £l9 15s 8d in credit and a balance at the bank on February 28th of £74 11s 8d in the special account and £SB in the general account. The chairman stated that the balance sheet had been returned from the auditors without a tag. In reply to the chairman’s enquiry for any comment Mr Hyde said that when a balance sheet comes back from the audi-1 tors in Wellington without a tag, he did not think there was any need to query it. It was a very rare happening and reflects credit on the very able manner in which the secretary (Mr J. V. Burns) has carried out his duties. He said it was a great pity that the chairman, secretary and sev- 1 eral of .the old members had not offfered themselves for re-election. It was regrettable, but, he hoped that on some future date they would again come . forward. ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was submitted by the retiring chairman (Mr R. L. Tippler): —Tlie past year has been a fairly busy one for your committee. •Necessary repairs have been attended to, such as fencing, repairs to cess pit, also digging a new one and filling the old pit, all cork trees grubbed out, cutting hedges and cleaning drains, repairs to tar-sealing area, but owing to shortage of tar this work has not been completed. Seats were built the full length of Main School, providing seating for pupils at meal times. A concrete critcket pitch has been laid and is a great acquisition to the School. The residence, schools and out-build-ings have been re-painted, adding greatly to the appearance. The main entrance from Pliminer Terrace has been formed and metalled. Your Committee have made sonic headway towards a septic tank, having cash in hand to the extent of £34 out -of our quota of £BO. Owing to strenuous times your Committee were loth to approach the public for more funds this vear. The picnic to Plimmerton was fairly well attended; the day proved fine,* and those who were able to attend thoroughly enjoyed themselves. As previous the pupils were orderly iii, their respective carriages, under . the management of Mr White and staff. The picnic fund showed a balance of £l9 15s Bd. Arbor Day proved a success and a number of trees were 1 planted. The children’s concert, organised by Mr White and staff, was a great credit and.shows what can be done. This function showed a credit of £34. A fancy dress ball, poultry 1 drive and stall were held, and the funds benefited to the amount of £2O 10s 3d. The School library has benefited greatly in the addition of a ‘lot. of instructive books, so has the gallery in the way of pictures. Mr Nicol’s Shield has been won again by this school for gaiden and ground improvements. . Sports were indulged in and the pupils travelled to different schools in the County, going as far as Paraparaumu, this being a return match of cricket a few weeks ago. Other trips were made during the football season to Otaki, Foxton, Levin and Ohaii. Your Committee wish to heartly thank the public for their generous help throughout ,the year, also Mr White and staff for interest taken in the children, in and out of school, and not forgetting the press which has always given a true record of meetings. , . , In reply to Mr Goldsmith as to uhat action had been, taken in respect to baths; the chairman stated nothing m this direction had been done as the Council intended placing a loan proposal for baths before the ratepayers. Mr Richards referring to the school colours said ho did uot approve oi them being made compulsory,. as not every parent was in the position to afford them. > The chairman in conclusion said the attendance at the meeting was disappointing and showed lack of interest in the school on the part of parents. No doubt, he said, had there been an election more would have been piesont. The school did not get the support it should from parents who should try and help. He said he was retiring for private reasons after having served for five years on the committee. I-Ie thanked Mr Hyde for his kind remarks. I

HEADMASTER’S REPORT,

Mr White said he had been very pleased with the way parents in a, general way have assisted in raising funds for the school with stalls, etc. What has affected him more was that parents have not helped quite as much as they should in seeing that their i children prepared their home work. Parents should co-operate with the teachers in this matter. The homework is apparently lacking. All he asked is a little preparation of the work taught in the school by reading their text books at home. The teachers direct and it behoves parents to see that the children absorb the contents of the • text books they buy. A little home l reading would be a valuable help to both teachers and children. He did not believe in children being over burdened with home work. The idea of home work was to inculcate in the child perseverance, patience and self reliance. These were important points ' in a child’s life, which must be learned when young. He was pleased that the attendance had kept up last year, the quarter’s averages being 320, 310, 326 and 329, the average roll number being 360. The first quarter this year the. average attendance was 341 with

358 on the roll. Since the beginning of this year there had been 50 admissions and 58 Avithdrawals. Referring to the school uniforms, parents had taken little interest in this matter and the time has come when they have got to decide whether they will have one or do without it. The question of affording a uniform did not come into it as they cost no more than ordinary clothes. The annual concert had been a success and he had been pleased to hand over the proceeds towards the septic tank fund. Although not on the educational side they had not neglected the physical side of -the children, as they, had basket ball for' the girls and cricket for the boys. Sport, he said, played an important part in a child’s life, as you inculcate so much in their school.. life that when they leave school they are trained to be sports and play the game always to win and to take a loss, in the same spirit. When we have done this w,e have trained them to N take their part as citizens.

In conclusion he thanked the retiring committee, which as a body have always given readily their support and assistance. He had not always agreed with them, but when asked what sort of a committee he had he had always replied **A splendid committee. He said he wished to publicly thank the teachers for their co-operation. They worked hard and were, a fine lot of teachers and on their behalf he asked parents to assist them. He also thanked Mdssrs Hyde and Wilkjson, C, C. Franks, J. Bresnehan, and all others who had given assistance and donations. . , _ . , ' Mr Coates, in endorsing Mr Hyde i. remarks, referring to Mr Tippler’s retirement as chairman, stated that Mi Tippler had given up a lot of his time for the welfare of the school and his retirement would be a loss to the community. The same remarks, he said, referred to the retiring secretary, Mr J. Y. Burns, and it was often a wonder to him how Mr Burns was able to unravel some of the financial mysteries that turned up from time to time. Mr Blackwood in endorsing the previous speaker’s remarks, said Mr Tippler was a chairman, who one was proud to work under, and the amount of work 'he rendered was wonderful. Mr Tippler,'in returning thanks, said that when elected to the committee he had considered it his duty to give his best, and ho' was pleased to know that it has been appreciated. The meeting then terminated and the newly-elected committee met. Present: Messrs A. Coates, G. Booker, F. Goldsmith, A. E. Hyde, C. Hansmann, W. Christian, A. Richards, A. Hill ancj T. Ingley. Mr A. E. Hyde was elected | chairman and Mr F. Goldsmith secre--1 tary. It was decided to hold the meetings on the first Thursday of each month.