SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2616, 25 September 1909, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

GISBORNE. The monthly meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was held last evening. Present: Mr. J. Somervell (chairman), Mrs. Walker, Miss Mo rice’ Messrs G. Wildish. P. W. Riach, G. Spence, and W. L. 'File (secretary). Mr. F. J. Rowley (headmaster) was also’ present. The headmaster, Mr. F. J. llowley, reported for the month as follows: “l have the honor of laying before you my monthly report on the school. The school re-opened after the term holidays on Monday, September 13th. Miss Meyer, who was sent bv the Board of

Education to fill Miss Adams’ position, took up her duties on the re-opening of the school. Both Miss White and

Miss Meyer, who arc acting temporarily, on the staff, are to be withdrawn at the end of the month, Miss White’s place being filled by Miss Burden, who is ah applicant for the permanent appointment. and Miss Adams’ leave ex-

piring then. I have received notice of the annual visit of the Inspectors on Monday. October 4th, and two following days. The attendance continues at a fairly satisfactory percentage, though a certain amount of sickness, chicken-pox and influenza, is keeping it down. Standard V. boys still lead the school, and have made a record of 100 per cent for four consecutive weeks. The dividing wall in the infant school has been completed, except for a coat of paint. The class teachers m the two rooms are now able to work

under possible conditions. Two chimneys, instead of a double-angle chimney, have been built in these rooms. I am enclosing a circular letter from the secretary of the Board re the attendance of children at the Board’s classes in Woodwork, cookery, dressmaking and such subjects.” Intimation was received from the Education Board that several matters requested by the School Corriittee had

been authorised, subject in some cases to certain conditions.

The Education Boar.d forwarded the testimonials of Miss M. W. Burden, the only certificated apulicant for the vacant assistantship in the school, and notified that they intended to appoint her subject to the committee’s approval. ' .

ft was decided to approve of the apointment.

The secretary of the Gisborne Hifi;h School Board of Governors wrote intimating that the Governors proposed to close the joint account that had formerly been kept under the supervision as treasurer of Mr. John Coleman, and stating that a small credit balance was still in the account. The letter also stated that the Governors would always be pleased to consider any recommendations from the committee to promote the school classes. • - \

It was decided that the chairman and Mr. Riach be a sub-committee to make arrangements with the Governors re the balance in hand. ) The Education Board forwarded a circular relative to the rights of Inspectors to withhold ■ certificates of proficiency from pupils who fail to make a * satisfactory attendance at cookery or woodwork classes. The circular, signed by Mr. W. J. Anderson, Assistant-Inspector-General of Schools, pointed out that clause 19 .(c) of the regulations showed that,, as; these subjects formed part of the regular curriculum of the school, there should be an adequate attendance to secure sufficiency of instruction in these subjects. Mr. Rowley pointed out that parents tried to interfere with the curriculum of the school subjects, by objecting to their children learning woodwork and cookery. , It was decided to approve of the headmaster’s action in Bringing, the matter before the committee. Mr. W. Morgan, who was in attendance. pointed out that the circular was the result of'an inquiry in the Napier school! whore several girls were kept away from cookery classes by their parents. It was decided to hjive a pipe connected with the school baths and the drains to allow the water to get away freely. , ■/ . It was decided to write to the Kaiti and Mangapapa School Committees, suggesting that a system of reciprocity should be come to between the schools,, so that pupils changing their residences could change their school without impairing their attendance record. The motion was recorded in view of the fact that a case had been mentioned to the headmaster of a girl attending Kaiti School when she lived nearer the main school, so as not to lose her chance of gaining an attendance medal. Several minor matters were attended to, and accounts amounting to about £lO were passed for payment.

KAITI

Owing to only three members of the Committee being present and a quorum not being formed, the meeting of the Kaiti School Committee called for last evening lapsed. Messrs Sullivan, Turner, and Hill (secretary) who were present, held an informal discussion on school matters generally. The headmaster (Mr. J. H. Bull) reported as follows:—"The school reopened after the term holidays on September 18th. The attendance continues good, the average tor the three weeks being 161. The present roll is 172. The wet weather at the beginning of this week caused the attendance on Monday to fall to 147, the lowest we have had for some time. Arbor Day was celebrated on September 12nd A large number of trees’ and shrubs were planted, and are doing well, the rain which fell so soon after tho planting proving'most opportune. The only exceptions are a few of the small gums. Mr. Heron, organising agent of the Navy League, paid th school a visit on Monday last to explai the aims of the League and enrol sul scribei’a among the children. He ha had a hearty response to his appea over 60 of the children having becom associates of the League. Notice ha been received of the inspectors’ annua visit, which is set down for the Bth c next month. Two panes of glass nee putting in. One was broken by a bo kicking a football against it. I enclos a shilling collected from him.”