MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9138, 10 July 1908, Page 3

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

HEADMASTER'S REPORT.

The Headmaster of the District High School reported to the School Committee, last evening, as follows: —Attendance—Main School, roll 655, average attendance, 590, percentage of attendance 90; side school, roll 190, average attendance 166, percentage of attendance 87; secondary classes, roll 72, average attendance 67, percentage of attendance 93. A good attendance for the month ended on Friday last has been maintained. During the present week, however, there has been a marked decrease in the attendance on account of the very wet weather of Monday and Tuesday. Through this cause the record for the week and for the month will be much reduced. As all payments to committees, salaries of teachers and number of teachers on the staff of a school are calculated on the basis of the average attendance it will easily bo seen how unfairly the system works out. The provision regarding "excepted half-days," gived no relief in the case of a good attendance school. As a matter of fict the good attandance school is penalised, while the poor attendance school is benefitted. In some schools there are many "excepted half-days" in the course of a year. In our own scluol there has not been an "exceptel naif-day" for a number of years. Th 3 Board's Truant Officer spent ma3t of the day on Wednesday in miking inquiries regarding irregular children, and in paying visits to their homes. In several casas he is deferring taking proceedings against the parents to see if his warning will have the desired effect. The Board's Clerk of Works has now completed the plans for the new classroom, and tenders will be invited at once. The work for the new entrance door for the infant classes is to be undertaken in connection with the building of the new room. My mind will be greatly relieved when these two works are accomplished. It has taken several years to bring matters to a head regarding the provision of the additional class-room for secondary work, and more than a year in the • casi of the door.. While the new . class-room is being built it will be necessary to provide accommodation, for six or eight weeks, for the class U3ing the adjacent room, the outjr wall of which will have to be removed. I shoul.i be glad if the Committee would depute one of its members to act with me in securing the necessary accommodation, the expense of which will be met by the Board. (The committee referred . this matter to the visiting members for a report). On account of .the Truant Officer's visit I have no absentee report to present this month.