TAIHAPE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 April 1918, Page 6

TAIHAPE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was laid before the householders’ meeting last Monday night; The work and general progress for the past twelve months has been satisfactory. The attendance for the last quarter of this year was 320, and the number for the corresponding quarter of last year 344. The fact that there are two denomination schools in Taihape insures us against overcrowding at the public school for some time to come. Perhaps for this we ought to he thankful, as there Is an unsatisfied request for more accommodation in all the large centres. At Palmerston North the Board has to hire private buildings and where that cannot be done we have to erect marquees. Mr. Train, the first assistant, has left us to take sole charge of Oroua, near Foxton. This gentleman was a great assistance to us in organising outside games and children’s concerts. The children’s fancy dress ball, held during the year, was a delightful success, both from a spectacular and a financial standpoint, and realised something over £4O of revenue. In the children we have an excellent asset from a money-making outlook. Their efforts never fail to draw a crowded house, as those attending always get good value for their money, and besides, every person has an interest in her child's part in the performance. Mrs. Pleasants has been good enough to present a very fine “National Flag” to the school and it will be the duty of the incoming committee to erect a suitable flag pole. We are very grateful to this lady for her thoughtful gift. After a lot of consideration and hesitancy your committee decided to • request the Department to bring Into 'operation the compulsory clauses governing attendance at the Technical School. This has been done. The various classes have been organised and are working most efficiently and smoothly, with an attendance of about 55 students.

So successfully are these students working that I for one regret that this step was not taken before. There is no time here to enter into the why and wherefor, but the advantages of these continuation classes for backward pupils are so many and manifest that the question of yes or no should be unarguable. I am writing In the first person just here, as I have not' the personal opinion of my fellow-committeemen on this particular point, but there is every reason to believe that they are with me. I would like to add further that these continuation and technical classes should be compulsory in the Education Act. like the primary education is, and not compulsory at the discretion or whim of a local committee. We cannot conclude this report without a complimentary word or two with regard to Sur very efficient staff. The Inspector’s reports have been very tory and the general progress of the school all that could be desired. We are very pleased to know that the Headmaster’s health has greatly improved, and that he is almost himself again. Mr. Thurston is greatly valued as a head teacher by the Board he is working for and the Inspector, ate, and his late serious illness, caused them great alarm as it was almost impossible to fill his place. The committee would also like to record their appreciation of the very valuable services rendered by Miss M. Donnell, the Second Senior Teacher, and the head of the Infant Department. This lady is doing excellent work, and the remainder of the staff are equal to all that is expected from them.