TE AWAMUTU SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17986, 3 April 1930, Page 9

TE AWAMUTU SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. At the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu School Committee, the chairman, Mr G. S. Clarke, presided over a full attendance of the committee. The secretary and the headmaster, Mr A. J. Shepherd were also present. In response to the committee’s request, the trustees of the Herbert Smith Trust advised that they would grant the school four challenge cups ■and miniature cups for senior and junior girls’ and hoys’ running championships. It was decided to thank the trustees for their handsome gifts. A circular letter was received from the secretary, Auckland Board of Education, re the “ Nelson ” system of hible reading in schools, pointing out that it will be nceessaTy for the hible reading to be held in other than actual school hours. It was suggested that on bible reading day the ordinary hour of assembly be put back balf-an-hour. Tiic roll should not be called until after the close of the bible reading class, if must also be indicated to l,he school children that attendance at the bible readings is entirely voluntary. In order to obviate any grounds for objections, children who desire to attend the bible reading class should obtain a written instruction from their parents that they desire their children to attend.

It was mentioned that the board’s action hollows a legal opinion on an assertion by the Rationalist League that it was illegal to hold bible reading lessons during the statutory school hours. To a question the head-master said that most of the parents had indicated, in a reply to a circular, agreement that their children should attend the lessons. In fact every scholar on the roll now attends the classes. It would, he thought, he unreasonable to allow certain children to run free in the playground while the others were occupied with the bible reading. It was stated that the local Ministers’ Association desired to recommence the classes on Friday, hut the head-master pointed out that Fridays were not as suitable as the Tuesdays previously made available. The Auckland Board of Education secretary advised that the Education Department lias authorised the purchase of Mr D. Rockett's property, adjoining the main school site, at the price of £IOOO. The board’s solicitors have been instructed to prepare the necessary transfer as early as possible; The Minister for Education wrote lhat Cabinet has made a grant for the addition of three rooms to the main school building. This raised the question whether the class-rooms will be attached to the present building or be a separate block in Rockett’s paddock. The chairman said he was informed the board’s architect had lately visited Te Awamulu Lo' map out the site, and he had staled the best location was the Teasdale Street frontage of Rockett's paddock. The headmaster concurred in this ■ view, saying' he had discussed the •uatler with, tile architect;