THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1922, Page 4

THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. GROWTH OF BOYS* SCHOOL. The New Plymouth High Schools Board met last night. Present: Mr. J. S. Fox (chairman) and Messrs. H. Trimble, A. E. Washer, F. W. Atkinson, E. P. Webster, and Dr. Fookes. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs L, C. Sladden, A. Morton, S. G. Smith, M.P., and L. A. Nolan. A letter was received from the tion Department pointing out that thSr board may not admit lower department pupils to the school while there is not room for holders of free places, unless it can be shown that the rooms occupied by the lower department have been provided otherwise than out of Government grants or endowments income, and ask- ' ing how the lower department rooms have been provided and from what source the money expended upon them was derived.—lt was decided to inform the department that tHe building was originally the old gymnasium and the funds for it were' probably supplied by subscriptions and donations, the records of which were lost when the board’s office was burnt down.

It was reported that Miss F. F. Bressey had been unable to take up her appointment as Grade A assistant at the Girls’ High School owing to illness, and that she has since accepted a position in Dunedin. The Staff Committee were authorised to make arrangements to fill the vacancy temporarily. The headmaster of the Boys’ High School (Mr. W. H. Moyes) reported as follows: “The school reopened on May 30 with a roll of 365. Twelve boys left, and five entered. Mr. Johnson, the newly appointed senior science master, £ joined the staff at the beginning of the term, and Miss M‘Leod left to become lecturer in English at the Dunedin Training College. The roll in the Uppei School is now 286, and the school is now in Grade VIII. For this grade the following staff is allowed: Two A assistants, three B, C. and D, a total o! eleven. The present staff consists ol ten assistants, vU., two A, three B, one C, and four D; and the school is therefore entitled to another C grade assistant. Whilst there is ample work for an extra assistant, owing to lack of classroom accommodation it is impossible under existing conditions to allocate him a form'. Only ten class rooms are available and these are all occupied. The Fourth forms are unweildy and she d be subdivided, but this is out of the question until an extra room is provided. It is true that the smaller boys in the preparatory department are occupying a room in the main building. This was never intended for use as an ordinary classroosn and is much too small for a class of 25. It is only fair to those who have entered the teaching profession that all schools should be staffed in accordance with the rcgulations, and I would suggest that applications be called for a C grade assistant and that a committee be appointed to confer with me as to the best way of finding accommodation for the various forms. I am afraid that so long as any portion of the main building is used in * ♦ mneetion with the Preparatory Depart wp ment no assistance will be forthcomings from the Government. I might add that when Mr. Spencer visited the school his attention was drawn to the fact that a small room was utilised for the preparatory ' pupils. Mr. Spencer took careful measurements of the room, and left here. I fully conversant with the conditions under which we were working.” The report proceeded to show the improvement made in the grounds by asphalting C® 1 *' tain paths, etc., suggesting further improvement be made in the grounds, that new blackboards be supplied in two clans roqms. and that an additional piano be provided. It wats decided that the question of the tstaff be left to the staff committee with power to act, that Messrs- Webster and Washer interview Mr. W. W. Smith and seek his assistance in regard to improving the grounds, that Dr. Fookes and Mr. Nolan make enquiry regarding a piano and report to the next meeting, and that the blackboards be obtained. The motion of which Mr. Atkinson had given notice, viz., that fees be reduced by £l, was held over.