STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 20 December 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford School Committee. ——? The monthly meeting of the Committee w.as held last evening, when there were present:—Messrs J. McMillan (chairman), C. W. Martin, C. H. Lawn, W. McDonald, H. Sanderson, F. J. McDonald, G. Smart, W. Pinhey, ami the Secretary (T. H. Penn). HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The Headmaster (Mr F. Tyrer) reports as follows: The school attendance during the last quarter has been falling off considerably, especially in the secondary department. As a general rule, a number of children leave the High School each year early in the spring, when the real farm work of the year begins. This year more left than on any previous occasion. Two 'senior pupils, with .questionable propriety, left school with the completion of the matriculation examinations. Sickness has also helped to reduce the attendance., Two High School girls, Max Skoglund and Katie Taylor unfortunately missed important examinations through this cause. I regret 10 say that, lor the first time in the ■history of the school, we are faced with the possibility of a reduction in the staff.

Owing to the illness of the Chief Inspector of Schools for this district, the onus of examining this school fell on me. ,1 attach copy of my report on the year’s work. The work in P, (Miss Papps) and in Standard, 3, (iiiss Pearce) was far m advance of wliat is expected from these classes, and considering the difficulties under which both these teachers worked during the year. I think this deserves special mention. As my report indicates, the work in the different classes ranged from good • to very good, and is a very satisfactory result.

Standard 6 was examined by Inspector Ballantyne, under the new conditions, on the 12th inst., and the results were highly satisfactory. 01 our own pupils only'oh6 ' failed to gain a certificate. Certificates of competency are now issuer! to children who rear ;h the standard required last year for proficiency. These certificates, however, Under certain conditions, entitle their ;holdfiVfl.fto free places at Secondary or .'fi’eQiinic.ai Schools. Proficiency ! certificates are now v issued only to pupils jjjip dp really; good work—sixty per [pput. marks is the minimum —at a. fairly difficult examination, and 36 of these certificates have been gained by our pupils. Three pupils from our evening classes sat also at this examination —one gained

proficiency, one competency, and one failed.

Owing to the rise in the standard of work in the sixth class,; I , have faded more pupils in Standard b than in previous years. I also failed the weak pupils in Standard 4. Letters have already come to hand from various parts of the district, asking for information re hoarding of girls who wish to attend our High School next year. It is to be regretted that nothing like a girls’ hostel exists in this town. So many girls are now boarding in Stratford for school purposes that such an institution should pay.

I wish to remind you of the School Concert in the Town Hall this evening. I shall he glad it all the members of the Committee will assist in carrying out the evening s enteitainment.

The Chairman moved, seconded by yfr Pinhoy and carried unanimously, that the stall' lie tendered the compliments of the•season, and that they he complimented on the efficiency maintained, as disclosed by the inspector's report submitted* especially under the trying conditions experienced during tbe year.

Mr W. McDonald moved that it lie a recommendation to tbe Board that the quarterly fees be raised in view of the increased cost of stationery.— Seconded by Mr Pinhey and carried.

GEXEBAL

Moved by the Chairman, that tenders he called for repairs to the tennis court ,as per specification? brought down by Mr Lawn, the work to he under the latter’s supervision, and that a sub-eommirtee consisting of Messrs Smart, W. McDonald, and the Chairman be appointed to act with Mr Lawn in the matter. Seconded by Mr Smart and carried.

The Chairman moved that the Board he asked to grant assistance in the matter of effecting repairs as the'contractor had failed to fulfil the conditions.—Seconded by Mr W. McDonald, and canned. Two prices were submitted for a site for the proposed High School, and it was resolved to forward same to the Board.

Mr Smart reported that repairs to the baths had been effected by Mr X. ,T King very satisfactorily. - A new honors board will be re-

qnired for the coming year, and the Committee were unanimous that a gift from some generously-inclined settler would he welcome.

The Chairman reported that a sum of £2O, which was raised to procure uniforms for the boys of the drum and fife band, was being held in trust, and it was not considered advisable to purchase unilorms in the present state of efficiency of the performers.

It was resolved to make enquiries re a sun} of £5 raised by SergeantMajor Dallinger for the hand, and stated to have been forwarded to the Committee.

The date of the annual picnic was fixed for the second 'Thursday in February, if not clashing with any other local fixture, and that a committee consisting of the Chairman and Messrs F. J. and \\. McDonald and Secretary be appointed to make

arrangements. Messrs W. McDonald and Pinhey were, appointed a sub-committee to enquire into the matter of a hostel for girls and that a report he submitted to the February meeting. Moved by Mr F. J. McDonald, and seconded by Mr Martin, that tin* caretaker be voted -a Christmas bonus of £s.—Carried,

The matter of assistance to the caretaker of the baths was .left in the hands of the Baths Committee to arrange. Moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Sanderson, that the report of Air Lawn re the improvements to tingrounds ho adopted.—Carried. Tlife Chairman a'ntl Mr Sanderson w(Te a\ipcmited 'a visiting committee for Die'