SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1921, Page 3

SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. NEW COMMITTEES ELECTED. The annual meetings of householders for the election of school committees in the Taranaki Education district were held last night. CENTRAL SCHOOL. The meeting of householders in the Central School district, New Plymouth, was presided over by Mr. P. J. H. White (chairman of the Taranaki,Education Board). The chairman congratulated the staff, committee and school on the excellent effort made last week. He understood that the “At Home” resulted in about £570 being raised, and to him the actual revenue was not the only feature, as he thought it also showed that the old school, which had now become a landmark, still held, a warm place irt the hearts of the public. Mr. White said he was pleased to note the manner in which all sections had supported the function. On behalf of the committee the chairman (Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P.) presented the following report on the past year’s work:—

Your committee wish first to place before you the excellent results achieved by the school last year despite the many difficulties met with during the period. On the official records the school is entered as “discipline and tone very good” and “general efficiency very good.” At. the end of the year 58 pupils sat for Proficiency Certificates, 50 were successful. 6 gained competency, and only two failed. Two pupils gained National Scholarships and Free Places. In the other standards the percentage of those entitled to promotion was very high. Two of the greatest drawbacks the teaching staff had to contencTwith during the year were a long series of epidemics which .seriously affected the attendance, there being an average of 100 absentees daily through sickness. The effect of this is being felt this year, the staff of the school having been reduced by two assistants through ineffective regulations, because the average attendance last year was low through the effects of epidemics, and whilst the board, have made representations to the department pointing out the very special nature of the circumstances, no steps have been taken to relieve the present staff. The other serious handicap last year was the large classes. Though the ideal is a class from 30 to 40, the average was for the school during the period under review from 75 to 80, or double what it should be. Sickness, too, was rife among the staff, and at one period four of the teachers were absent through illness, and indeed only through the last quarter were the whole of the staff present. Surely, if the cause of so much sickness is due to the congested class-rooms and the large classes, the department in Wellington is deserving of the utjnost censure in refusing to do anything in the meantime to improve matters at the Central School, one portion of which has been over 50 years in use, and obsolete, and other portions defective in every modern feature.

Though out-door sports have been somewhat hampered for a long period by closing the playground on the “’flat,” football, cricket, rounders, and tennis have been enthusiastically taken up. Swimming and life-saving have also had attention. In swimming thirty certificates were awarded last year, six to girls and twenty-four to boys. The excellent results already referred to is due to the hearty co-operation of the pupils and staff, and your committee cannot stress too highly their appreciation of the. zeal and keenness of the teachers during last year. The best thanks of the parents and guardians are due to the teachers for what has been done for the children. The roll number at the beginning of 1920 was 614 and at the end of the year was 626. The staff at the later period was 11 assistants and 6 junior teachers.

Owing to the unsuitability of the accommodation at both schools no final steps were taken during the year to introduce hot cocoa at lunch hour during the winter months, but the incoming committee are recommended to try the experiment at Courtenay Street Infant School, where certain preliminary arrangements have been completed. Special attention has been given during the year to the cleaning of the schools, and when necessaty the buildings have been disinfected, the latter important work being carried out .under the supervision of Mr. Kendall, the local health officer. The finances of the school committees ordinary fund are satisfactory, a further increase in the capitation for incidental expenses having been raised. Your committee have been hampered in their operations during the past several years in their attempts to carry on extensions and impovements out of ordinary revenue, but the prospect for the future shows more promise, and much good work can be accomplished now that funds are available Our income during the year was £44 5s lid carried forward, £lB2 10s capitation grant, £36 as 9d special grant Prince of Wales’ visit, £4 14s 6d donations towards cost cricket material, £9 14s 6d donations for prizes, and these amounts together with £l6 9s town committees’ advances towards cost entertaining children in connection with the Prince of Wales’ visit, and unpresented cheque £3 10s, makes a total of £297.9s Bd.

The expenditure was £lOl 15s 7d cleaning schools, £7 9s 9d for fuel, £9 10s 9d lighting and water services, £3l 17s Hd improvements school grounds, £23 13s 6d maps, books and furniture, £l9 2s 2d school prizes, £69 l'Bs 5d refund of advances, expenses Prince’s visit and sundries, leaving a credit balance of £34 Is 7d at the end of February last, and a total of £297 9s Bd.

The report expressed whole-hearted thanks to all who assisted at the “At Home” (especially the ladies), to the Education Board and staff, and to the Press. Special mention was made of the good services rendered by Mr. T. A. Coleman as secretary to the committee. Mr. A. B. Gibson moved that the report be added to, with the idea of placing on record the thanks of householders to the chairman of the committee (Mr. Smith) for the efforts he had exercised on behalf of the people and children of the town.

This resolution was seconded by Mr. W. H. Robertshaw, who said it was gratifying to parents to know that at least the Courtenay Street school was to be rebuilt.

Mr. White said the report was one upon which the whole school was to be congratulated, and Mr. Smith and those associated with him must have worked hard to gohieve the reenlt*- He mu

dorsed the remarks made by previous speakers as to Mr. Smith’s efforts on behalf of the Courtenay Street School, and said that in, this bp had the heartiest support of every member of the Education Board.

The report was then adopted. The meeting carried a resolution expressing appreciation to the headmaster and members of the staff for the manner in which they had carried out their duties during the past year. In moving the motion, Mr. W. S. Cobham remarked that the teachers were to a large extent the makers of the future meta and women, and teaching was not a profession only but a calling. Personal character and influence were a very necessary qualification in a teacher. Replying, Mr. Stratford said he was sure the teachers at the Central were all imbued with the one idea, namely to do their best for the pupils and the school, and to know that they had the confidence of householders would be a great incentive in their work. Votes of thanks were accorded to the out-going committee for their services, and to Mr. White for presiding. Of ten nominations the following committee was elected: Messrs. S. G. Smith, F. A. Coleman, W. H. Robertshaw, T. Hardgreaves, T. M. Avery, G. Buckley, W. S. Cobham, V. Elliott, and C. M. Lind op. At a subsequent meet ing of the committee Mr. S. G. .Smith, M.P., was re-elected chairman.

WEST END.

Mr. J. S. S. Medley presided over an attendance of about thirty at the West End gymnasium. The chairman stated that the year had been very satisfactory, both as regards the attendance at the school, the progress of the scholars, and also financially. They had an excellent staff and the pupils w r ere making splendid progress. The attendance had been very satisfactory, with the result that the school now had an additional assistant, and he stressed the necessity of keeping up the average, so that the services of that assistant could be retained, thus making easier the work of organising the classes, some of which had been as 'large as 7'5. He referred to the happy relations that had always existed between the staff' and the committee. The gala day in conjunction with the Kawaroa Park Committee had been very successful, resulting in about £7O being added to the school funds. During the year nothing had been done in regard to the securing ot a school site. Apparently the Government were short of funds, as a site had. been offered on the Belt Road, but despite deputations to the Education Board, etc., nothing had been done, though the Minister had promised to visit New Plymouth. During the year the committee had lost Mr. W. W. Thomson (chairman), who had resigned owing to moving to Inglewood, and also Mr. W. J. Bennett (secretary), who had resigned. Both had been valuable members.

The chairman then read the report of the headmaster (Mr. D. J. Evans), who reported that the roll number at the end of March, was 541, as compared with 509 for the corresponding date last year. The attendance last quarter was exceptionally good, an average of 96 per cent being maintained. Parents and scholars were to be congratulated, and it was hoped they would endeavor to sustain this high average, so that the services of *the additional assistant ap: pointed in April might be retained. The only change in the staff, apart from the appointment of pupil teachers and probationers, was the appointment of Mr. E. H. Rountree, who succeeded Mr. E. Bary as first assistant. Misses O’Brien (third assistant) and Jemison (seventh assistant) had resigned. Miss Wilson had accepted appointment as seventh assistant, and Misses Mountford and Hodder were acting as temporary assistants. Mr. J. E. Marshall had been appointed permanently third assistant, and takes up his position on May 1. In February Miss Hodge and Mr. Hunwick were appointed as pupil teachers. Owing to overcrowding in the infant department, Primer 111 class had been transferred to the gymnasium. The board’s overseer had recently visited the school and had made arrangements for heating the room and for the movable screen. That the school is still maintaining its high standard of efficiency was evidenced by the reports of the school inspectors. It was pleasing to record the interest taken by the teachers in the sports side of school life, hockey, cricket and football being taken up enthusiastically by girls and boys. The chairman then formally moved the adoption of the report. This was seconded by Mr. J. Mander, and carried without discussion. There were 10 nominations for the nine seats on the committee, the election resulting in the return of Messrs. J. Brokenshire. J. S. S. Medley, J. Garcia. W. H. Broome. J. Lobb, T. Petty, and J. E. B. Hoskin. Three tied for the bottom two places, Messrs. J. Hawker and A. Coad being returned. A vote of appreciation was accorded the staff. Regret was also expressed at the/report that Mr. Rountree was leaving the school, having accepted an appointment at the Technical College, membe.s speaking in high terms of Mr. Rountree’s interest in the children in and out of school. Mr. Rountree stated that after due consideration he had decided to retain his present position. (Applause). Votes of thanks w.ere accorded the outgoing committee and the chairman. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. J. S. S. Aedley was chairman and Mr. H. Broome secretary. FITZROY. At the meeting of Fitzroy householders the following committee was elected: Messrs. A. L. Roberts, R. L. Parkin, G. F. Goldsworthy, H. Hall, J. Martin, V. W. Arden, F. H. Duckworth, V. George, and Rev. J. F. Martin. Rev. Martin was subsequently re-elected chairman.

The meeting passed f strong resolution urging that, in the event of the department taking any steps to provide further accommodation, this should be given in the form of a new infant department, to be the nucleus of a new school, rather than re-modelling the present building, which was old and out-of-date and situated on an unsuitable site. A resolution expressing appreciation of the work of the headnaster (Mr. Johnson) and staff was also .carried. VOGELTOWN. At the meeting of householders held in the Vogeltown School last, n'ght, Mr. Rumball presided. The following committee was elected: Messrs. V. Griffiths, W. Healy, N. Allen, H. R. Boswell, and A, C. Evans.

FRANKLEY. Mr. A. P. Lister presided over an attendance of about, ten householders. The following committee was elected: Messrs. F. A. Lee, C. H. Old, W. H. Haddrill, E. Taylor, Sutton, Ward and Haskell. STRATFORD DISTRICT. Stratford District High School.— Messrs. E. G. Foster, E. A. Alger, D. M. Clarke, W. Pinhey, W. Abraham, H Sanderson, G. Smart, C. D. Sole, and J. W. Boon. Mr. Boon was re-elected chairman and Mr. J. H. Thompson secretary and treasurer. Pembroke Road. —Mrs. Cuthbert, Messrs. E. Hutchinson, E. Gould, M. Newbold, and J. Jans. Cardiff.—Messrs. J' Reid, J Richards, W Dempsey, E. Bennett, and V. Remnant. Stanley Road. —Messis. W. Hoskins, J. Phillips, L. Har*, R. Wellington, and T. Bell. Mr. Hoskin was elected chairman.