THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1922, Page 5

THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. REPORTS OF PRINCIPALS. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools’ Board was held last night. Present: Messrs. J. S. Fox (chairman). L. A. Nolan, E. P. Webster, L. C. Sladden, A. W. Atkinson, A. E. Washer, H- Trimble, and Dr. E. F. Fookes. Mr. W. H. Moyes, principal of the boys’ school, in his report, drew attention to the condition of some of the dormitories in the old boarding house. The rooms had been built eleven years ago, and badly needed renovating. He also recommended that applications be again called for another teacher in the “D” grade, as the staff had been one short during the year, and he was anxious to have a full complement when school opened in February. He recommended that the annual prize night be held on December 14, but regretted to say the Governor-General would not be able to visit New Plymouth in December, and would therefore be unable to open the memorial gates. He understood the secretary had been in communication with Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) in the hope that he would take His Excellency’s place. The principal of the girls’ school (Miss Mclntosh) reported that the roll at present numbered 151 in the secondarv department and 42 in the preparatory The department had definitely arranged with Miss F. M. Urquhart, B.A. (of Toronto), a specially qualified teacher in English and mathematics, to occupy their A position next year. As she could not reach New Zealand until about, the middle of February, Miss Clark had kindly agreed to come back for the first fortnight after the holidays. With regard to the commercial work, the arrangement made for this year with Mr. V. Duff had proved most satisfactory, and she would like it to continue. In the preparatory department she recommended that Miss Marjory Sladden, at present teaching in Chilton House. WellinHon. be appointed in place of Miss Day. who has resigned. She hoped to hold the prizegiving at the school on Wednesday, December 13, nt 7.30 p.m. The Mayor bad kindiv consented to be present. In reply to the board’s invitation to His Excellency the Governor-General to be present at'the prize-giving ceremony, the secretary was advised that His Excellency very much regretted that he would be unable to visit New Plymouth. , , The action of the principal of tne girls’ school in approving of the appointment of Miss M. Sladden was confirmed. as also was the appointment of Miss F. M. Urquhart. The tender of Messrs. .Tulian and Sons of £l3OO for the building of two classrooms at the boys’ school was accepted. but the matter of the tender for the laundry was referred back to the building committee with power to act. . . Some disoussion on the indiscriminate UR« of the high school uniform by bovs other than scholars, resulted in the decision that the principal be communicated with regarding a suggestion that pupils should wear a washable monogram over the breast. Dr. Fookes remarked that it had frequently happened that the school had been blamed for mischief which it was proved had been committed by youths clad in a similar uniform.

Regarding the action of certain parents and guardians who had sent their children to the schools and allowed accounts to accumulate without the remotest possibility of paying them, the chairman stressed the necessity for the board to stand hard and fast by the rules governing settlement of fees and Swarding expends.