SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 9

SCHOOL AFFAIRS

TE AWAMUTU NEEDS COMMITTEE DISCUSSION There were present fft a meeting of the Te Awamutu School committee held recently Messrs G. B. Melrose (chairman), W- G. Adams, J. Waters, G. M. Wall, L. S. Armstrong, E. Menary, W. G. Savill, and the secretary, Mr J. G. Wynyard. With regard to the designation of the committee, the chairman explained that for the future the committee would be known as the Te Awamutu Primary School Committee. The control of the new intermediate school would be placed in the hands of a new body, which would be known as the Te Awamutu Intermediate and High School Committee. The resignation of Mr J. A. Marston. who had been transferred to Auckland, was accepted with regret, the chairman paying tribute to the services given by Mr Marston. The treasurer reported that the committee had received £sl 16s Od as its share of the profits of the Paddy’s market held recently. Accounts amounting to £3 14s lud were passed for payment.

The headmaster, Mr A. H. Woods, reported that the consolidated roll in the primary school was now 520, and the attendance of five-year-old children would increase the total. The teacher-drivers hao passed the test and were very enthusiastic about the work.

Commenting upon the bus services, the chairman criticised those who had passed strictures upon the crowding of the children in the buses for not making any allowance for the necessary adjustment of the new service, and remarked that the worst critics did nothing to help at all. The necessity for additional classrooms at the primary schools was stressed by Mr Savill, who said that the the deputation which had waited upon the Minister of Education had been able to make out a good case. Twelve classes were being taught and the old infant school was being used to accommodate 120 children. It was estimated that four new rooms would bo required. The headmaster considered that the increase by September would mean a total uf 560 children, With the possibility of further junior pupils from schools which might be consolidated. The committee decided to have a letter forwarded to the Education Board immediately, urging the provision of further accommodation at the Teas dale Street School.