THE BLAKETOWN SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22269, 7 December 1937, Page 3

THE BLAKETOWN SCHOOL

EXTENSION TO STANDARD SIX REQUEST TO BE MADE TO EDUCATION BOARD A decision to make a request to th« Canterbury Education Board that the Blaketown School be extended to the sixth standard, thus making it a fullypowered school, was made by the Blaketown and Preston Road Ratepayers' Association at a meeting on Sunday night. The signature of all ratepayers in the area will be sought, and these with the request will be forwarded to the Canterbury Education Board in time for its next meeting on December 15. The under-staffing of the school in the past, and the condition of the present school and its inadequacy to accommodate the roll number of 153 in classes up to Standard 3, were referred to by several speakers. It was considered that the present was the time to move for a new school to provide for all classes, one which would be controlled by a separate school committee, instead of being controlled by the Greymouth Main School Committee as at present. An alternative, that the department be asked to renovate the present school and extend it in order to accommodate the fourth standard was suggested by Mr W. Herring, the chairman. He felt they should not jeopardise the grading at the main school by making a considerable reduction in the number of pupils. The secretary, Mr E. V. Ellery. disagreed, saying that the children's welfare was the main point at issue. After further discussion it was decided to make a request to the board for an extension to the school. BISHOP OF NELSON IN WESTPORT Eleven candidates were confirmed at the service conducted in St John's Anglican Church, Westport, on Saturday evening by the Bishop of Nelsoxi. the Rt. Rev. Dr. W. G. Hilliard- On Sunday evening Bishop Hilliard preached at St. John's Church, and the large congregation included member* of the Masonic and Orange Lodges.