NGAERE SCHOOL REPORT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 94, 28 April 1913, Page 5

NGAERE SCHOOL REPORT.

The annual report of the Ngaere School Committee for the year ending 28th April, 1913, is as follows: The' Committee have pleasure in reporting a very successful year. The number of children on the roll has increased from 102 to 114; average attendance last year 81; present year, first quarter average attendance 93. and last week the average attendance was. 103, which shows a substantial increase both in the number on the roll and in the average attendance. Owing to the increased attendance the school is better staffed,, as we have a second assistant' lAistresfc in plhc’d of a probationer or pupil teacher. A 1 the end of last Miss Keppel’s ■term as probationer expired, she having been in the school two years. During that time she had proved herself a capable teacher, and had done good work, and we are pleased that the Education Board has appointed her to the position of second-assistant mistress. The Inspector’s report on the school work was received in November, ana was most satisfactory, and the teachers are to be congratulated on the result of their year’s work. During the year the Committee have held seven meetings, which have been well attended by the members with one exception, one member having attended the first meeting only. Thanks to the liberal support given to the school concert, the Committee were enabled to effect several needed improvements alnrrt the school grounds. The fence on the south, boundary of the horse paddock has been renewed, a culvert put in front of the school residence, a Watertrough procured and water laid on from the pump to the horse paddock; five yards of screenings, and four barrels of tar were procured, and the work of asphalting round the school is being proceeded with. When finished, it will be a great convenience, keeping the school much cleaner, and it will be better for drill purposes in damp weather. A lawn mower has been purchased, so that the pupils, particularly the girls, may have tennis.

A quantity of Snowden’s disinfectant lias been purchased, and the school is now regularly disinfected, by which means it is hoped to check the spread of epidemics which from time to time attack the school and greatly interfere with the attendance. Owing to the scarcity of firewood, the Committee applied to the Board to have grates put into the school and residence. This request has been granted, but so far the work has not been done. The Committee also applied to the Board to have some of the old-fashioned desks replaced by dual ones, but not being well posted in the Board’s regulations, we omitted to wrap sufficient red tape round our request, and it was not granted. It will be the duty of the new Committee to bring this matter before the inspector on his next visit bo the school.