SCHOOL'S STATUS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1943, Page 4

SCHOOL'S STATUS

BALMORAL CHANGE

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

The advantages of intermediate schools are stressed by the Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, in a telegram to the chairman of the Balmoral Scnool Committee, Mr. A. Bryan. The Auckland Education Board has decided to establish an intermediate school at Balmoral, and a meeting of householders is to be held to-night for the purpose of protesting against the conversion of the Balmoral School to intermediate In liis telegram to Mr. Bryan, the Minister states that his absence from Wellington had precluded him from replying to Mr. Bryan's letter of March 24, nor was it possible for him to attend to-night's meeting. "The policy of establishing intermediate schools is a sound and accepted one, and brings immense advantages to the scholars, which are too numerous and varied to discuss in a telegram," adds Mr. Mason. "There is no doubt that the intermediate school at Balmoral will have everything to cause the local people to take the greatest pride in it. You will find that the distances for younger children to reach adjoining schools will be short, and that they can reach these schools without crossing main traffic routes. These points were carefully considered in reaching a decision. "The increase and movement in population in that portion of Auckland require extended facilities, and this is definitely the most advantageous way of furnishing them, if indeed, they could be otherwise furnished under present circumstances. It is a matter of great regret that I am unable to meet you this evening, for the intermediate school furnishes such greatly superior educational facilities to the children that I am clear that, on an understanding of the matter, the parents would feel great satisfaction at the change.

"The diminishing roll number at this school, especially in the higher standards, shows also that the people have appreciated that a different type of school can offer better facilities ,for the higher classes. This demand cannot be met without increasing the number of intermediate, schools, and I am convinced that Balmoral will make an intermediate school to be proud of."