PARENTS PROTEST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

PARENTS PROTEST

FREQUENT CHANCES FRANKTON SCHOOL STAFF “TOO MANY HEADMASTERS” Protests at the number of changes that had taken place in the staff of the Frankton School were voiced in the school buildings last night when a meeting of householders, convened by the school committee, discussed the position and decided to draw the attention of the authorities to the matter. The chairman of the committee, Mr R. P. Kilham, presided and Messrs F. A. Snell and S. B. Sims represented the Auckland Education Board. Addressing the meeting, Mr Kilham said that for some time the committee had been greatly concerned ■with the matter and was now not sure whether the householders were satisfied that it was pulling its weight. If the meeting were dissatisfied and thought that a new committee should be appointed the present committee would resign en bloc. Numerous Changes “The numerous changes which have caused us concern have not been over just a short space of time but have taken place over a good period,” said the speaker. “Mr A. S. Cliffe was the school’s headmaster for over eight years and left in May, 1939, when he was transferred to a similar post at Katikati. Since then the school has had five headmasters, counting the one most recently appointed. Their names and terms of service are as follows: Mr J. F. Potter, May, 1939, to September (left for military service); Mr N. F. Shaw, September to November (relieving); Mr H. L. Takle, November to February 1, 1940 (relieving); Mr F. A. Long, February to September, 1940 (relieving); from then onwards, Mr E. A. Boyd (not yet arrived). Only four teachers and three probationary assistants have had continuous service from February of last year to the present time." When Mr Potter went on military service Mr Long was appointed for the duration of his absence, continued Mr Kilham, now he was expected to be acting-headmaster until Mr Boyd took over. The frequent changes in staff, not only as regarded headmasters, had caused a considerable number of complaints from the parents who stated that their children could not be expected to progress under such conditions. It was found that different teachers had different methods and frequent changes were to the detriment of the children’s welfare. Complaints From Other Places “We expect that some of four present teachers will be leaving unless the board accedes to our request that they should remain at the school,” continued the speaker. “The number of changes has been far too numerous. Some of them, as we know, could not be avoided, but there were others that could.” In reply to a questioner who asked if the trouble were confined to Frankton, the chairman said that he had noticed that complaints had come from other places. The following resolution was moved by Mr M. Pavlovich: That the meeting of Frankton householders and parents most strongly objected to the numerous changes in the school staff, many of which were unnecessary and were detrimental to the children’s best interests and advancement. Mr Snell said that the changes were not confined to the Frankton School but were fairly general. The teachers could not be blamed for wanting to make advancement in their own positions as they improved their grading. The war and military service had also been a cause of part of the trouble. He would not like to see the school committee resign, but to carry on with the work it was doing. The speaker explained 'that teachers could not apply for a change until they had put in two Decembers in their position. Grading and Regulations “The board is opposed to these changes as much as the school committee is,” said Mr Sims. “However, it has no say in the matter, ■which is controlled by the grading and the regulations. The fact that schools rise and fall in grade also affects the position. Mr Boyd is a highly-qualified man and I am sure you will be satisfied with him.” One householder said that her girl was in standard 3, in which, last year, only ten out of 53 passed. Since the start of last year the girl had had three teachers and now her present one was going to leave. Two or three speakers expressed the opinion that teachers’ salaries and grading seemed to be of more importance than the interests of the children. Another speaker: It seems to me that, if this does not stop, the Frankton School must go down in grade, because in all fairness, the parents will have to send their children elsewhere. The motion was carried and the meeting agreed that the committee should continue in office. It was stated that the fact that it had called the meeting was proof of the fact that it was alive to the position. It was decided that copies of the resolution should be forwarded, on behalf of the meeting, to the Minister of Education and the Auckland Education Board. It was also decided that the school committee should meet the Minister during his visit to Hamilton and explain the position to him. Messrs Snell and Sims were thanked for their attendance at the meeting.