EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1922, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki Education Board niet yesterday. Present: Messrs. A. Lees (chairman), P. J. H. White, H. J. Eaves, R. J. Deare, H. Dempsey and F. Sims. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. S. G. Smith and R. Masters, M.P.’s. ARCHITECT’S REPORT. The architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) reporting under date October 25, said: — NeW Work.—Courtenay (Central infants) school (concrete) : We have made very good progress With this new school, owing principally to the fine weather and easier labor conditions. We have the roof covered in, the hot water heating well on, and the plasterers have made a start. We are held up somewhat in regard to the levelling of the section and removal of surplus earth. If the education reserves could have been handed over without any unnecessary delay for a workshop site it, would have helped us considerably. We should then have a place to piit tile soil from the Courtenary Street site, and also to make these sections suitable for the purpose; they are of little use for building sites, but would make a good workshop site. I would suggest that representation be made to grant the transfer of the sections without further delay. Okaiawa Additions (concrete).—The additional classroom is well on towards completion. The end of this week will see it about Completed. Tawhiti Additions (concrete).—A start has been made with the additional classroom similar to Okaiawa, and this work is making good progress. Oeo Additions.—A start has also been made with the additions to this school. Otaraoa Movable School—This school is all complete ready to send on to the site as soon as the road is dry enough for motor traffic. There are about 3 miles of clay road to negotiate. In company with the secretary, and attendance officer I went out and decided on a site on Mr. Cole’s property, and we Understand he is willing to give the site free. Fitzroy Detached Infants’ New School. —A grant has been made, and I expect to make a start oh the site in about a fortnight. The joinery is receiving attention in the workshop. , Hawera Primary School—Teachers Rest Room.—l expect to have this work put in hand while we are on the Tawhiti job, and also have some Improvements made to the ventilation in the main building and other work attended to. Whilst at Okaiftwa, painting repairs at the residence received attention. The workshop staff have been very busy during the past month. Along with general joinery work they have completed the whole of the sections of the Otaraoa movable school and put them together. The machines and plant are in good order, MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Mr. H. C. Johnson reported that ho had made 16 visits during September to primary schools, mostly to schools where new teachers had taken charge. The work was progressing satisfactorily, most of the schools being engaged in the preparation of ground for sowing seeds. Regular instruction had been given in the secondary schools. The teachers’ classes had been resumed after the holidays, with a fair attendance. The report continued: “Arrangements were made for the handing over to Ngaere schol of the Cuthbert Shield on September 9, and the good attendance of parents indicated the fine spirit prevailing at this centre. I would suggest that some rigid check be placed on the tools issued to schools. Quite recently cases have come under my notice, of where, to very certain knowledge, a supply of tools have been sent, yet when a new teacher arrives, no tool is to be found. It would be well if some Inventory of tools and apparatus were required at a change of teachers. This, I should think, would be more satisfactory to both the teacher leaving and the teacher coming. The Kihg Country schools have not been visited for some time, but I hope to be able to arrange for visiting this part of the district, at tne end of November." Mr. R. Syme’s report stated that in all, 24 primary schools were visited during September. included in this number were the Seven schools in the potato-growing competition. Mr. Webster was taken to these schools, and in each case he gave an address to the children on potato-growing, and demonstrated the different methods of planting. The schools in the coastal district. New Plymouth to Opunake, were all visited during the month, and he was pleased to be able to report that these schools, without exception, had shown this year in increased enthusiasm in the agriculture and nature study work. With both indoor and outdoor work very satisfactory progress was> being made, and in many of tlie schools a great deal of assistance in the direction of Improving the school grounds had been given by school committees. This had been the case at Rahotu and Koru particularly. The classes in rural science with Frankley Road and Vogel town schools were discontinued from September 22. The teachers’ Saturday class in agriculture was resumed on September 16. An examination held before the holidays showed that the majority of the teachers were doing very satisfactory work. He had to report again, however, continued Irregularly of attendance on the part of a few teachers, who seemed to have a total disregard of the fact that the classes were compulsory. ATTENDANCE OFFICER’S REPORT. Mr. G. Pascoe reported that during the month he had sent out 32 notices to parents of children who have been irregular in attendance. The following 21 schools had been visited: Ararata, Awatuna, Bird, Denbigh, Egmont. Village, Fitzroy, Kaimiro, Kaponga, Koru, Makaka, Mangaliume, Mangatoki, Musker’s, Oakura, Okaiawa, Omata, Pungatehu, Putfengahu, Radnor, Rahotu, Te Kiri, Central and West End. The attendance at these schools was good. Monthly returns also showed very little irregularity except, in cases of sickness and long distance to travel. The New Plymouth schools are over full and a number of children still Seek admission. TEACHERS’ APPOINTMENTS. The chairman reported that the fallowing relieving appointments had been made since last meeting:— » Manaia, Mr. H. Mason, head teacher; Pukearuhe. Miss M. K. Spence, sole teacher; Tlkorangi. Miss A. Murray, assistant; Auroa, Mrs. W. Finch, head teacher; Otakeho, Miss E. Surgenor, assistant; Opua, Mr. I. M. Guild, sole teacher; Matapu, Miss J. Stevenson, assistant; Awakino, Miss M. E. Hodder, assistant; Central, Mrs. E. Richmond, assistant; Okaiawa, Mrs. B. Richmond, assistant; Awatuna, Miss I. Therkleson, assistant: Bell Block, Miss K. King, head teacher; Bell Block, Miss A. Leslie, assistant; Ngaere, Mr. F. J. Cumberworth, head teacher; Kapuni. Miss V. Stiller, assistant; Huiroa, Mrs. A. Butler, assistant; Waitara, Miss L. Laurent, assistant? Hurimoana, Mrs. McCutchan, sole teacher; Pungarehu, Mrs. Dawson, head teacher: Hawera, Miss O. D. Simmons, assistant; Hawera, Mrs. Newbury, assistant. NEW SCHOOLS, ADDITIONS AND SITES. Applications under the above headings wore dealt with as follows: Westown. acquisition of site, Minister of Education to be wired to asking if the approval of the grant, could be expected; Vogeltown, extension of site, application to be made to Department for grant of £450; Walkaka, application to be made for movable school; Opatu, application to be made for permanent school; Ackland, application to be made foY increased accommodation; Waitara, application to be made for increased accommodation on lines already asked; Albert, application to be made for increased accommodation: Matemateaonga, application to be made for a movable room for teacher’s residence; Oaonul, claim for compensation for school site left in the hands of Mr. White. The board acqulesed In the Department’s suggestion to provide £lOO out of the rp- | building fund, for the provision of outhouses at the West End school, but could not agree tn find a further £lOO out of the malnten- , a nee fund. •raACHISRS’ MOVEMENTS. The report of the teachers’ selection eoniSiittee was adopted. it recommended the I appointment of Mr. Jas- Nairn, ftt present head-

master at Ashhurst, to the position of headmaster at Manaia, and Mrs. A. E. Brightwell as sole teacher at Pukekura. The position of headmaster at Auroa was referred back to the committee, and that of infant mistress at Okaiawa will be re-advertised. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted as follows: Miss 1. SUrrey, probationer, Ratapiko; Miss J. R. Mitchell, probationer. Central; Mr. A. Coleman, probationer, Central; Miss Herron, assistant, Waitara; Miss Henderson, assistant, Central; Miss Morecraft, head teacher, Punga - rehu; Miss McHardie, assistant, Otakeho; Miss S. Sole, assistant, Lincoln; Miss S. Neal, probationer, Norfolk: Miss Ducker, assistant, Plhama; Miss Long, trainee, Hawera T.H.S.; ' Mrs. Lawrence, head teacher, Warea; Mr. W. L. Wagstaff, head teacher, Norfolk; Mr. Curteis, organising teacher; Mr. R. Syme, agricultural Instructor; Miss Tobin, assistant, Cardiff; Mr. J. A. Jennings, probationer, Frankley ; Miss D. Woulfe, assistant, Douglas. HIGHER EDUCATION AT OPUNAKE. In connection with the establishment of a District High School at Opunake, Mr. Dempsey moved that application be made to the department for permission for the head master to take secondary work along with the fifth and sixth standards, and that an extra assistant be provided. Mr. White seconded. The senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valentine) favored the idea, which was a genuine attempt to give secondary education in outlying districts where it was not possible to get the necessary guarantee of 20 pupils to attend for two years in order to establish a district high school. The Council of Education had recommended this course, and it could be introduced perhaps in other districts, such as the Ohura. Mr. F. slms suggested that a similar class might be established in connection with the Matiere School. This was agreed to and the motion was carried. SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS. In connection with the application of the Warea committee for increased accommodation the senior inspector reported that at the end of the September quarter the roll number was 90 and the average attendance was 74. The total floor space was 798% square feet, and as the average attendance provided the deciding factor, and as 787 feet of floor space was held to provide room for 79 pupils in average attendance, it did not seem that it was advisable to apply for a grant for increased accommodation.—Adopted. The senior inspector recommended that application should be made to the department for a grant for a school at Opatu, where there was a temporary school at present, and also for a movable school to accommodate at least 16 children at Walkaka, where the present shed used as a school was very dilapidated. Mr. Cole’s offer to give an acre of land for a School site at Otaoroa was accepted with thanks, and the chairman was authorised to complete the transfer. The chairman reported that he had enquired into the question of Increased accommodation at the Awakino School. The average attendance had Increased to 45, and it was etpected 12 more children would shortly be applying for admission. A floor space of 389 square feet was much too small, and he had therefore instructed the architect to prepare plans and make application for additional accommodation. The chairman reported that whilst in Wellington he discussed the prospects of establishing a permanent school at Opua Road with the departmental officer in charge of buildings, who strongly recommended that Mr. Feaver’s offer to rent his house at 7/6 per week be accepted, a grant of £8 being made towards the cost of the removal of the partition. In due course, when the attendance warranted it, an application for a permanent building might go forward.—Adopted. The chairman and Mr. Eaves reported having visited the Hawera School to Inquire into the matter of improvements to school grounds. Although a great deal of work had been carried out, it would take some time yet. before the whole of the proposed improvements were carried out. On the whole the approved plan was being adhered to as closely as possible, though some slight modifications and deviations from the original plan had been found necessary as the work proceeded. More asphalting was being done than was thought necessary at first, and this would be a decided improvement. About two-thirds of the main playing field had been ploughed up and re-sown with a fine sole of grass. The committee hoped to complete the levelling and sowing down of the balance of the playing field before next winter. They were shown through the various classrooms of the school, some of which were showing signs of overcrowding. The attendance at this school had grown rapidly during the past 12 months. There were now 785 pupils on the roll and on the date of the visit the attendance totalled 735. Messrs. J. A. Valentine (chief inspector) and C. H. Moore (architect) reported that they had considered the conditions obtaining at the Waitara School, and were of opinion that the least that should be done to provide the necessary relief for the overcrowded conditions was to proceed with the erection of a detached classroom to form the nucleus of a new school building. This was what was suggested by the Education Department, but was held over owing to financial conditions. GENERAL. Applications by both Elthani and Tuwhiti School Committees for additional chairs and tables were referred to the architect. Application is to be made to the department for grants for remodelling the schools at Hillsborough and Puhiho with a view to improving the lighting. It was resolved to inform the Huiakama committee that the board regretted it could not contribute towards the erection of a i motor shed. The question of painting the shelter shed at Auroa was referred to the architect. The matter of school gates at Otakeho was referred to the overseer with power to act. The chairman submitted a report on the conference of education hoards held at Wellington in September. The report was received, and the chairman was accorded a vote of thanks. The action of the Whareroa School Committee In closing their school for a week owing to an epidemic of chicken pox was approved. The Department of Education wrote suggesting that the application by the Fitzroy School Committee for a subsidy be held in abeyance, as In view of the fact that the department had made a grant for the erection of two rooms the committee might wish to vary their application. Mr. White said that there would be no objection to the proposal, provided the committee were assured that this would not invalidate their application.