It would appear from the first weeks of its existence that Malton School has made an excellent start to its new role in the education of the area. The administrative decisions taken last term laid the foundations for a smooth functioning of all aspects of organisation from the first day to a degree which came as a pleasant surprise to many of those involved, both Staff and pupils. The decision to house the Third and Fourth Years in the East Wing has been much appreciated in that, as was intended, it has given the First and Second years the opportunity to settle down and be brought up in the ethos of the new school away from those whose age and proximity to school leaving tends to make them slightly less malleable.
So far discipline has been quite satisfactory in both wings and throughout the school, particularly on occasions when large groups of children are together or during Assembly and Lunch. During lessons there has been an atmosphere of quiet purposefulness.
One area which does give rise to some concern is the road sense of pedestrians and cyclists in Middlecave Road during times of arrival and departure and the Police liaison Officer, Constable Burnett, has been contacted with a view to discussions concerning this problem and the possibility of his addressing the children on this vital matter
The response to the Headmaster's requirement that all pupils wear School uniform has been very good although it seems likely that special arrangements will have to be made for the financial assistance of children whose family circumstances make it difficult for P.E. clothing (not provided by the North Riding Education Committee) to be purchased.
The Cafeteria system of dining is now in operation in the West Wing of the School and kitchen staff and children have settled down well to the new routine.
The School Caretaker Mr. Dowding, is now in residence at the School House and security of the premises should be improved as a result.
I know that the Headmaster would not wish me to close this brief report without paying tribute to all my colleagues for the way in which they have co-operated in setting out to make Malton School a success, especially in this last week when the Headmaster's absence has thrown additional responsibility on to my own shoulders. Experienced members have given me their fullest support and have acted, on occasions, where they saw the need without waiting to be asked; new members have fitted into the framework quickly and unobtrusively and are already making their contributions felt. I must also pay tribute to the contributions of the School secretaries Mrs. Emmerson and Mrs. Grice, and the Caretaker Mr. Dowding, without whose hard work during the holidays and experienced skill since the term started the administrative machinery could not have worked so smoothly.
Finally I feel that I must on my own behalf and, I am sure, on behalf of the Headmaster, pay tribute to the work of the Senior Mistress, Mrs. Kay, who worked quite selflessly during the holidays to make sure that all was in readiness for the new term and since then has made an unmeasurable contribution to all aspects of the running of the School.
Owing to the sudden illness of Mr. Pallister, the gardener/groundsman, he has been compelled to retire prematurely and the Headmaster has appointed Mr. H. Harrison to take his place on a full-time basis to work with Mr. Bentley who started work as groundsman/gardener on 30th August in succession to Mr. Harton.
Mr. Harrison has been interviewed by the North Riding's Area Grounds Supervisor who approved his appointment and introduced him to his responsibilities. The Supervisor expressed surprise that Malton School had not staffing for two full-time groundsmen.
The Headmaster wishes to draw to the attention of the Governors the situation with regard to the appointment of an overall "Caterer Supervisor", an appointment which, so far as he can ascertain, is being made to all schools where two or more units are being combined as at Malton.
The main points in favour of such an appointment are
The North Riding Education Committee has so far objected to this appointment on the grounds of cost but it is the intention that the appointment be made from within the existing establishment and therefore the cost should be minimal.
The Headmaster wrote to Professor Hawkins of York University and stated strongly the need for more adequate supervision of Mrs. M'Caw who, it was felt, was entitled to far more guidance than she had received during the school year 1970/71.
It was agreed by Professor Hawkins that Mr. Harrison and Mr. Green of his department would visit Mrs. M’ Caw each week to see her teach and to discuss method and difficulties.
On the occasion of his first visit Mr. Harrison was interviewed by the Deputy Headmaster in the presence of Mrs. Williams, the Head of the ModernLanguages Department, and the school's position was made quite clear.
It seems that York University now understand the situation and intend to make every effort to fulfil their obligations.
In spite of the agreement on the form of installation for the telephone system of the school made by the Headmaster and the G.P.O. in the early spring, the new switchboard has not yet been installed.
The land lines were laid during the first week of term but the school still awaits the internal connections. This is detrimental to the satisfactory administration of the school.
The Deputy Headmaster contacted the G.P.O. on 17th September and was given a promise that final work would commence during the week beginning 27th September.
The Headmaster hopes that if this work is not forthcoming as promised the Governors will assist him in bringing pressure to bear that it should be so.
This is now complete. The North Riding Education Committee have been persuaded to alter their original plan, which would have driven the path across the Tennis and Netball·courts, and instead to incorporate an existing length of path along the north side of the courts.
Although no action is asked for at this time it should be pointed out that the path appears:
7. Members of Staff teaching Engineering Drawing and Geography in Rooms 4 and 5 respectively (West Wing) have made very strong representations that sun blinds be fitted to their south facing windows to moderate the blinding effect of the sun on the white paper.
The attention of the Governors is drawn to the condition of the wire net fencing round the tennis courts at the West Wing of the School. This is torn and frayed to a degree which could cause serious facial injury and it is intended to ask the North Riding Education Committee if this can be repaired or replaced.
JOHN D. GRESSWELL
Deputy Headmaster.