The South Wales Star

BARRY (U.D.) SCHOOL BOARD. THE GOVERNMENT GRANTS. The usual monthly meeting of this Board was lield on Monday evening at the Holton-road Board Schools. Mr. J. Lowdon (chairman), presided, and there were also present Mr. J. Rees (vice- chairman), Rev. J. Price, Dr. O'Donnell, Captain Da. vies, Mr. B. Lewis, Dr. Livingstone, Dr. Lloyd- Edwards, Dr. Treharne, and the clerk (Mr. W. H. Lewis), and the deputy-clerk (Mr. R. T. Rees). The minutes of the last meeting were approved. FINANCIAL. The Finance Committee recommended that the following monthly accounts should be paid :— T. Higman, salaries, Holton-road School, £ 161 lis 4cl. T. Ewebank, do.. Cacloxton School, £ 106 3s. 4d.; J. E. Rees, do., Barry, £ 73 10s. 4(1.; E. W. Williams, do., Holton-road Evening School, ;S3 69, H. Whitehouse, do., Cacloxton Evening School, £ 3 Os. 6d.; A. Seig, do., attendance officer, £ 7 18s. 4cl.; J. M. Davies, do., attendance officer, A6 5s.; H. Davies, do., cookery classes, £ 3 9s. 6d;; Agnes Cram, do., Sloyd classes, tl3; Lewis Evans, printing, f2 14s. 6d.; South Wales Star, do., E2 lis.; Schoolmaster, advertising, £ 2 3s. Schoolmistress, do., £ 1 lis.; Glasgow Herald, do., £ 2 5 s. 6d 9. F. Ury, insurance premium, £ 8 16s. O. Phaip, specimens for museum, £ 3 0s. 2(1.; C. Howe, Poor-rate, 15s. 9d.; Davis and Lewis. refreshment forcandi- dates, 14s.; A. J. Harris, election expenses, t,57 15s.; Bishop Brown's Industrial School, maintenance of J. M'Carthy, X2 6s.; Industrial School" Formidable," maintenance of Pennell and i'enner, £ 7 7s. 3rl.; W. H. Lewis, on account petty cash, £ 10 D. Paulett, coal, £ 23 4s. 9d.; Thomas Evans, repairs, 9s. 6tl. E. J. Roberts, repairs, 83. D. Griffiths, repairs, £ 4 6s. 6d.: School Trading Company, prize books, 9s.; Milner, £ 2 12s. 4d.; total, £ 525 12s. lid. Loan, Account.— G. Rutter, on account of Barry School, £ 500 Seward and Thomas, on account of Barry School, £ 100 total, £ 600.—The Committee also recommended that an ap- lication be made to the Public Works Loan Commis- missioners for a supplemental loan in respect of Cadox- ton Schools.—They also recommended that gas be fitted in Cadoxton Infants' School. On the motion of the Rev. J. Price, the report was adopted. THE YEARLY STATEMENT. The Clerk presented the usual yearly statement of accounts. The Chairman It is necessary that I should ¡ sisrn it, if it has your approval. Mr. Rees The Clerk has gone carefully through it. The Chairman added that so far as he could see Aie statement was all right. It was, however, i subject to the decision of the Government auditor. The members agreed that the statement should be signed by the Chairman. SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. THE BOARD AND CONTRACTS. This Committee reported that one ordinary and two special meeting's have been held since the last meeting of the Board. Mr. Lowdon had been elected chairman of the committee, and the meet- ing's of the committee had been fixed for the third Monday in each month at 2 and 7.30 p.m. alterna- tely. The plans for alterations in Barry Boys' School was approved, and the architects were instructed to get Mr. G. Rutter to execute same at the prices to be agreed upon, but not to exceed the amount which it would come to on the schedule prices of the Girls' School contracts. The committee examined and approved plans for the pro- pesed new infants' school in Romilly-road, and instructed the architects to submit same for the approval of the Education Department, and also instructed them to prepare the specifications and bills of quantities in the meantime for the approval of the committee. The appointment of William Meikle as monitor in the boys' department, Holton-road School was approved. Mr. Robert Thomas' wrote to the committee withdrawing his charge against the Holton-road assistants. A sub- committee was appointed to consider the question of corporal punishment, and report theron. It was agreed that Mr. W. Y. Williams execute the orders of the Board for stationery for Barry and part of Holton-road Schools at present. The question of appointing additional pupil teachers was deferred. It was agreed that the salary of the head mistress of the Girls' School at Barry be A 110. advancing to £ 130, as per scale of the Board. The clerk was instructed to prepare a, rota of Visiting Committees.-Applications were received from 32 candidates for the post of headmistress of Ba.rry Girls' School; one candidate for the post of 1st assistant certificated for the same school. Four candidates for the post of ex-P.T. boys' depart- ment, and four ditto infants. After selecting several candidates to appear before the committee, it was agreed to recommend for the approval of the following appointments :—Headmistress girls' department, Barry, Miss A. M, Woods, salary A 110, advancing to £ 130 1st assistant certificate same department, Miss Joan Davies, Penarth. salary.£ô3; ex-P.T. boys department, Mr. David Hughes, JBrynaman, salary ZCBO ex-P.T. infants depart- ment, Miss Mary S. James, Haverfordwest, salary £ 50. It was agreed that another male ex-P.T. assistant be advertised for the boys department, and tenat in the meantime Miss Ellen Williams who appeared before the committee should continue as tamporary assistant. The Chairman moved the adoption of the re- port. The Rev. J. Price seconded. Dr. Treharne moved an amendment to the para- graph relating to the contract given to Mr. Rutter. He thought that no contract should be given to any builder without the same being tendered for, There were several builders in the district, trade was very bad, and one builder should not have the preference over another, especially considering the great amount of work which Mr. Rutter had received from the Board. His contention in fact was that no favour should be shown. He moved that all contracts in future should be let by tender. The Chairman explained that the reason why the contract-had been given was that the contractor for the Girls' School was actually working in that school at the time on certain alterations relating to his contract:; and the Committee had thought it J would be very awkward to introduce another con- tractor. Dr. Treharne thought it was rather likely that he would have had the contract, but he stillcons.idered that it was far better for the Board to let every contract by tender. < (Hear, hear.) The Chairman As a rule that; is quite -right. But in this case the principal reason is the one I iave given. Mr. Rees thought it was hardly legal for the Committee to appoiat a contractor*, theira.ctlon.not having been confirmed by the whole Board. He also considered that one contractor should not have the monopoly of the work of the Board, and that the Board, as such, should give its work without favour to one party or the other. As to the cost, lie found that the sixth part of a. penny cut of the current revenue would have paid it. Captain Davies held that the explanation was very clear. He thought they were all agreed that the work should be done in time for the school to open, and so continue its work. He had supported Mr. Rutter because he considered that it was right that he should have all the work in one school, instead of there being two contractors. He felt as strongly as any member of the Board that all work should be let by tender; and he moreover objeeted to the word favour." It was not a favour" to give a contract. Whoever got it, only got it because the Board considered he would do the best work. Dr. Treharne said he only objected to the principle of letting contracts without being tendered for. The Chairman After the explanation given—— Dr. Treharne I withdraw my amendment. THE COST OF INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES. Captain Davies said there was another matter in the minutes which deserved consideration, and that was the question of the expenditure which the School Management Committee had incurred in connection with the recent vacancy in tbjMr schools. He considered it was very unjust to get candidates here from a distance and keep them in a hotel all night indeed, it was a. waste of money.' He was of the opinion that the work should be done in some way whereby the candidates could return the same day, so that only the railway fares would have to be paid, and not their lodgings as well. It was a considerable waste of money. The Rev. J. Price Perhaps I might say that it i was 14g. for four candidates. Captain Davies: It is the principle I object to. j Dr. Treharne: I think it is done by every other School Board. 'Captain Da. vies I ask for an explanation. The Chairman said the only explanation he could give was that some members of the School Board who were also members of the Local Board could not be present in the afternoon, and it was; pro- posed and carried that the meeting should not be before eight o'clock. Dr. Lloyd-Edwards suggested that even if the candidates had come at three o'clock they could not have got back that nig-ht. Dr. O'Donnell: I think we discussed all that. Capt. Davies I was not present. Dr. O'Donnell That is not the fault of the Com- mittee. The subject then dropped, and the minutes were approved. BYE-LAWS COMMITTEE. This committee reported certain alterations, which were confirmed on the motion of Mr. B. •Lewis. AN IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY STEP. Dr. Treharne, in accordance with his notice of motion, moved that the minutes of the last Board meeting, and of every ordinary meeting of the Board should be printed and forwarded to each member at least three days before the monthly meeting of the Board. He thought that if the Board would adopt this proposal it would facilitate matters considerably. If each member had the re- ports of each committee printed and sent round three days before the Board meeting it would give him ample opportunity of going thoroughly into the work and judging- it, and, if he thought fit, he could take objections to the work carried out by the Committees. At the present time the Clerk read the minutes very quickly, and they had not got an opportunity of picking- out matters which they wanted discussed. The expense too was not very much. The Local Board were paying- at the rata of 2s. 6d. per sheet for printing the minutes, and-- The Chairman About how much a year ? Dr. Treharne About £ 5 or £ 6 a year. Mr. Lewis It would be more. Dr. Treharne thought the cost of printing the minutes of the two committees would be 5s. I. Dr. Livingstone said he had great pleasure in seconding the proposition. ¡ Mr. Lewis had much pleasure in supporting it, because it gave. the members an opportunity I p j of seeing what the various committees were doing, and preparing their minds for anything they took I exception to before they came to the meeting. He thought their clerk was an excellent reader, but > it was impossible to take in a report and digest and analyse it in the time. The Chairman pointed out that the minute books of all of the committees were open for in- spection by any member of the Board. The only objection was on the score of expense. He was very much averse to incurring any expense they could avoid. But, of course, it was for the Board to say whether the expense should be incurred or Y1 r>t Dr. O'Donnell said that the expense would be a very small one compared with the advantage the Board would possess. In the first place, any mem- ber who kept the minutes would be able at any time a question cropped up to make himself con- versant with what had occurred previously. (Hear, hear.) It had frequently occurred at other Boards that the members had been discussing a question which had been decided some months previously, and had therefore been considerably out of order. None of the members could carry in their heads all the business which had been transacted during the 12 months by the Board, and it might happen that they would stultify themselves by discussing a proposal which had been previously decided. Even supposing the expense was £ 10, or twice that amount, he considered the benefits justified it. Captain Davies had also great pleasure in sup- porting the motion. The Chairman having pointed out that it was a legal expense, the motion was unanimously carried. The Chairman said that decision would neces- sitate the re-arranging of the committees with a view to the meet the printing arrangements. While upon the subject he wanted to know whether they would have a tender for a lump sum, or how ? Dr. O'Donnell suggested that the tender should be per folio, and this suggestion was adopted, ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES. Mr. Rees proposed, and Capt. Davies seconded, that Dr. O'Donnell should be elected a member of the Finance Committee. Dr. O'Donnell declined. Dr. Livingstone considered that they should have an experienced man on that committee, and he. therefore proposed Mr. B. Lewis who from what he had told him, would be a great assistance to the younger members of the Board. The Rev. J. Price seconded the mption, and it was carried. On the motion of Mr. Lewis, seconded by the Rev. J. Price, Captain Davies was elected a mem- ber of the Bye-laws Committee. THE ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS. GRATIFYING RESULTS. The Clerk announced that he had received the following reports from the Government Inspec- tors :— BARRY SCHOOL. Mixed School.—" There has been a change of head teachers, and the staff has not been strong throughout the year moreover, the school is overfull. Mr. Rees shows a very intelligent interest in his work, but has not yet been able to achieve high results. Reading, spelling, and arithmetic in the third standard, writing in the first standard, and reading in the first class are the only parts of the elementary work really good. Writing in the fourth standard, arithmetic and com- position in the fifth and seventh standards, and much of the oral work and problems, are weak. Recitation, good in style,, should be more intelligent. Geography just falls below good. Grammar is fairly good. Needlework is satisfactory, singing is fairly good. Discipline is satisfactory. It would be very I unwise to attempt any extra work while the elementary and class subjects are thoroughly good." Infants' School.—" The musical drill, aided by the piano, is extremely well done, but the note singing barely reaches the grant level. The school is under a great disadvantage in having a first standard. The elementary work of the first standard is in a poor con- dition. The writing, is irregular, the copy-books are not creditable, and arithmetic is improper. Grammar, recitation, and drawing are satisfactory, but geography should be better, and. a plan of the school should have been provided. The first class and infants are about fairly good the second and third classes are only about fair. Recitation and needlework are good, but the first standard knitting is not in accordance with instructions. As the results are lower than they were last year, I do not see my way to recommend more than the 2s. grant, Article 97 (b)." It is presumed that the new girls' department is being erected with all due dispatch. The present overcrowding much interferes with the efficiency of the school. E. Howells has passed fairly, but should attend to' geography and method. M. Evans is recognised under Article 55, and J. Williams is continued tRder Article 68. C. A. Rutter.—Geography and History. She is not qualified for admission to a chartered term of appren- 1 ticeship. M. Howells' name has been removed from the register of pupil teachers serving in this district. The Government grant was mixed, good 16s. per 1 head infants, fair, 13s. total grant, £ 384 I83. HOLTON-ROAD SCHOOLS. Boys' School.—"These new premises are models of what school buildings ought to be, and reflects the highest credit upon the Board and the architects. There is a good museum and Slojd workshop. Discipline is praiseworthy, and recitation, grammar, geography, 1 and singing are well taught. The elementary work is decidedly good, and this under the circumstances is very creditable to the teachers. A liberal staff has wisely been provided. Writing and spelling, and the fo-urth standard arithmetic and composition in the sixth standard, and the oral arithmetic and problems might be improved. The higher grant is recommended, but next year it is hoped that the lower standards will be smaller and the upper larger." Girls' Scltool- The building and apparatus are excellent. There is a good museum, and a well-fur- I nished cookery kitchen. The drill and singing are very praiseworthy, and are much aided by a piano. Discipline is perfectty satisfactory. Grammar and recitation are decidedly good, but buttonholes in the fourth standard, and patching in the fifth and sixth, should improve. There have been great difficulties this year, but much of the work is creditable, and the good methods give promise of future excellence. Writing in the fourth standard, arithmetic in the fifth and sixth standards, and oral arithmetic generally should be better." j Infant's School. A year ago the Infants. were transferred to the present excellent building which is admirably adapted for educational purposes The praiseworthy musical drill is greatly aided by a piano. There it a capital collection of objects. A few small tables and a larger number of easy primers are needed. To cope with the difficulties of the year a, larger staff has wisely been employed. Miss Llewellyn has worked very hard,and her health has suffered. Reading in the 1st, 2nd and 6th classes, writing in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th. arithmetic in the 4th and 6th, and objeot lessons in the 4th and 6th, are the weaker points. Discipline should impiove in the 6th class, which is too large for one backer. The 1st and 3rd classes showed the best works. Under the cireumstances the results are creditable and promising for the future. A. Thomas has passed fairly, but should attend to geography and method. J. Roch, S. Phillips, E. C. Lester, C. Morgan, S. Evans, A. E. Burbidge, J. Williams, and H. Jeffreys are recognised under Article 50, and R. Cutter under Article 33. Miss Jones will receive her certificate in due course." The Government grant was Boys excellent, 20s. 6d.; girls good, 19s.; infants excellent, 17s.; total, X664 17s. 6d. CADOXTON SCHOOLS. Boyal School.—" This school became a separate boys' department last October. Discipline is very good, and singing deserves especial praise. Geography, English, and" recitation are good, but the sixth and seventh standards should analyse complex sentences as a whole first. A few larger test Maps would be useful for the fourth standard. Except reading in the first standard, arithmetic in the fifth standard, and oral arithmetic in the third and fifth standards, the elementary work i is good, and the higher grant may just be awarded.' Reading is praiseworthy in the 1st class. Mechanical counting should be forbidden in the 1st standard. There is still a large backward class below thisstandard, Girls School.—" The girls were instituted a separate department last October. Discipline and drill are excellent, and I think the school promises to do well under Miss Phelp. Needlework is about good, except in the 1st standard. The 4th standard should attend to buttonholes. Grammar can be marked good only with hesitation. Singing and recitation satisfactory. Sickness and the migratory character of the population have interfered with the work. Spelling and reading in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th standards, writing in the 1st and 2nd standards, and arithmetic in the 1st and 4th standards are the good points of the elementary subjects. The rest of the work is open to improve- ments the 3rd standard should have suitable copy books. Oral arithmetic above the 2nd standard would be better if the questioning were more problematical There are 30 children not qualified for examination in the 1st standard. Infants'' School.—" There has been a change of head teacher. The school was overcrowded until recently when a large new class-room was added. Miss Wilcox has worked hard. The results are deeidedly creditable, and the highest grant may just be recommended. The object lessons are well taught and illustrated. The 3rd class might attempt a few more. In some classes the building occupation might be more methodical. The youngest class has been most carefully looked after Singing and musical drill are very good. The admission book is incomplete. The class registers must be tested at least quarterly in all departments. My Lorda understand that the tima for cookery during the past school year was entered in the log book only, and not on the time table. The requirements of Article 101 (g) in this particular must be carefully ob- served in future. The grant is allowed this year under the powers conferred on the Department by Ar- ticle94. C. L. Townsend has passed fairly. L. 1". Wilcox is recognised under Article 68. I am to enquire if it is desirable to have E. E* John's apprenticed upder Paragraph 4 of her memorandum of agreement. The Government was: Boys, excellent, £ 1 Os 6d.; girls, good, 19s.; infants, excellent, 17s.; total, £ 547 2s. Gel. The Chairman suggested that the School Management Committee should examine the reports, and that they should come up again at the next meeting of the Board. Dr. O'Donnell proposed that the reports should be printed and circulated amongst the members. The Chairman Unless the Board prohibit it, they will be printed in the local papers. Dr. O'Donnell To whom are the reports sent in the first instance ? The Chairman They are sent to the Clerk of the Board. Dr. O'Donnell Who gets them ? The Chairman The teacher of each school is entitled to have the report immediately it is sent in. Dr. O'Donnell: I have been informed that these reports were handed by the Clerk to the head teacher. I think the reports should not be published before, the minutes of the Board. The Chairman A summary of the reports have 1 been published. Dr. O'Donnell objected to this being done before the Board met. The Clerk said he had not got the power to do that, unless they were not to go to the school teachers. The Chairman Call a special meeting of the Board. The Clerk The reports do not come together. Dr. O'Donnell Had we not better ask the teachers to consider them ks confidential until the meeting of the Board. Mr. Lewis thought that the difficulty might be met by the clerk keeping them in his possession, but allowing the teacher of each school to see them. Sometimes it was a necessity for the head teacher to know what the result of the examinations was in order that he might make future arrangements for the school. But he thought the reports ought not to be made public before the Beard knew any- thing about them. He was in sympathy with the proposal that the head teachers should see them at the Clerk's office, but not that they should be put in possession of. them. Dr. O'Donnell And the inspection to be con- sidered confidential. The Chairman I think that might meet the case another year. Dr. O'Donnell moved, and Mr. Rees seconded. that the reports should be printed and circulated amongst the members, and the motion was carried. RESIGNATION OF A TEACHER. The Board decided to fix the seal of the Board to the appointment of Miss Bella Mason, and also accepted the resignation of Miss' Clara Rutter. THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN GLAMORGAN. The Clerk read the following letter from the Secretary of the Charity Commissioners :— Charity Commissioners.^—21st December, 1892.— Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1892.-Sir,-A draft scheme for the Intermediate and Technical Education of the inhabitants of the above-named county having been prepared, adopted, and published by the Charity Commissioners under the Endowed School Acts, 1869 to 1889, I am to enclose some copies': for the information of your Board, and to enquire whether in the event of the scheme receiving the approval of her Majesty in Council, your Board would be prepared to appoint two school managers as pro- posed in the third schedule of the draft (see par. 2). Any objections or suggestions respecting the scheme should be made in writing to the Commissioners before the 23rd day of February, 1893.-1 am, &c., D. R. EiSAaON, Secretary.-W. H. Lewis, Esq., Clerk Cadoxon School Board. Dr. Lloyd Edwards said that as they had only a month to consider the scheme ought they not to call <1 special meeting of the Board ? It was a subject of yita.1 importance to the district, ahd was one which ;hev might well discuss. The Chairman said he had read the scheme very jarefully, and the only objection he saw was that ;he School Board had not got sufficient representa- tion. They were prepared, he thought, to accept the responsibility of electing two members, but they would like to have the responsibility of elect- ing more. He was quite prepared to vote that the matter should be left over to the next Board meet- ing seeing that there would be time enough. Dr. Lloyd Edwards thought that they could easily have a special meeting of the Board. He noticed that other Boards were holding special meetings to discuss the matter. Captain Davies did not see why they should have a special meeting. The Chairman thought they would not have much difficulty in considering the matter in time. It was decided to consider the subject at the next meeting of the Board. A PERTINENT QUERY. Mr. Rees asked when they were going to have the new school ereeted ? The Chairman explained that the Board could not take any further steps at present. The plans were in the hands of the Education Department, and they could not proceed further until they were returned. Mr. Rees said he had rut his question be- cause trade was so very bad in the district, and he thought that the erection of that school would find employment for a great number who are doing nothing. If the Board could assist the people, it would be a great advantage. Besides, the cost would have to be re-paid in fifty years' time. The Chairman I quite agree with you. The subject dropped. NOTICES OF MOTION. Dr. Livingstone gave notice that at the next meeting of the Board he should move a resolution considering the advisability of promoting their own staff to appointments in the schools and then that if the appointments were advertised all the applicants should be on the same footing. Dr. O'Donnell gave notice that at the next meet- ing- he would move that it be a standing order of the Board that no member serve on more than two of its committees. APPOINTMENTS IN THE SCHOOLS. TO WHOM SHOULD THEY BE GIVEN ? The Chairman said that in consequence of the appointment of Miss Woods a vacancy arose for an infant school mistress at the Barry School, Was it the pleasure of the Board that the appointment should be advertised ? Mr. Lewis said that if they had a person under the Board of sufficient ability and character and stamina that they would like to promote she should be brought forward hefore they advertised. His point was that they should not advertise until they had ascertained whether there was such a teacher. The Chairman quite agreed with the principle they should first look among their own people. Mr. Lewis moved that the Chairman, the Rev. J. Price, and Captain Davies, as senior members of the Board, should be appointed a Committee to decide the question. The proposal was carried. THE BARRY COOKERY CLASSES. The report showed an expenditure of £ 1 4s. 2d. and receipts £1 8s. 5 Jd. Barry school had not sent any girls, and Miss Davies said she should be grate- ful if the Board will insist that girls are sent to the cookery classes. EVENING CLASSES. The Chairman announced that the Barry evening classes had been given up, owing to the poor attendance, and the headmaster .at Cadoxton, Mr. Whitehouse, has resigned, and Mr. Russell had been appointed headmaster in his stead. The Holton evening classes keep pretty well in favour, and no radical changes had taken place there. This was all the business.