South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 18 September 1943
Education Committee
Mr. H. Gomersall presided at last Thursday’s meeting of Conisborough Education Sub-Committee, with Mr. A. E. Hall, of Wakefield, acting clerk as deputy for Mr. E. B. Stockdale, who was on holiday. Mr. Cheshire again raised the question of swimming for the schools, and wanted to know why the children of Conisborough could not have the same facilities as were enjoyed by Mexborough Secondary School. The Clerk said he was in error in stating that the Secondary School children enjoyed any facilities for swimming, but there were other schools in Mexborough which sent children to Wath Baths. The Chairman, supported by Mr. B. Roberts, said that this matter had already been discussed at a previous meeting, and it was agreed that no useful purpose would be served by discussing the matter further.
The Clerk reported the receipt of a communication from the County Committee in which it was stated that a successor would be appointed to Mr. F. Ogley, who had resigned his seat on the Committee. Miss M. Parks (Balby Street), who gets married this week, is to be allowed to retain her post for the duration of the war. Mrs. Saville left the Balby Street School on Aug. 31st, because she had ceased to reside in the district, and the meeting paid tribute to her work at the school and in connection with the Youth Movement. Mrs. Mary Ward had also been given permission to remain at her post for the duration.
It was decided to obtain a nursery helper for Miss Brown at the Balby Street School. The Clerk reported that the County Committee had inspected the canteen at the Rossington Street School, and the report on the inspection was highly satisfactory. The canteen had been reported as spotlessly clean and tidy, and the cook was congratulated on her kitchen organisation and cleanliness.
In his report on the Modern School Governors’ meeting, Canon Holohan reported that 45 children had left the school at the end of last year, and of these 12 had gone on to other schools. The air raid shelters at the school had been inspected, and it was found that 40 feet of the seating was damaged, three lamps were missing and four more were broken.
Mr. Binns, County Education Officer, had written asking for the formation of a Canteen Committee, composed mainly of women and teacher representatives. The suggestion was approved, but as there were only two women on Conisborough Committee it was decided that in addition to Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Oldfield the chairman and vice-chairman should sit on the Committee.
The question of clerical assistance for head teachers was raised, and the Clerk reported that a girl could be employed for each department at a senior school and at elementary schools where the attendance was over 300. The person employed must be over 14, but must not be retained after reaching the age of 18. Mrs. Wright suggested that assistance should be given to all head teachers, but the Chairman thought it would be better to wait and see how the arrangement worked. It was decided to appoint one girl for the Modern School, and to advertise the post.
Mrs. Oldfield said it had been brought to her notice that at one school there were only two female fire watchers on duty at certain times, and she expressed strong disapproval. The Chairman said he was sure Mrs. Oldfield had been wrongly informed, as in addition to the teaching staff there were also fire watchers from the pool on duty.
Mr. Gomersall, referring to immunisation against diphtheria, asked the Press to give every assistance in bringing to the notice of parents of children between the ages of one and five years the necessity of availing themselves of the facilities which were offered for the protection against this disease. The County authorities were now taking a keen interest in immunisation of children under school age, and he hoped all parents would realise that these were the most vital years in which the precaution should be taken.
At the close of the meeting Mr. Cheshire expressed surprise that there was no information available to show the size of the classes since the new term started. He was strongly opposed to any class being more than 40 in number, and steps should be taken to keep the number as low as possible. The Clerk promised to have the information brought to the next meeting.