“GLENELG”

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 2

“GLENELG”

ANNUAL REPORT “The most important events of the year are the erection of the new dormitory wing to accommodate 12 additional children, and the decision to have a new detached schoolroom at ‘Glenelg’,” says the annual report of the “Glenelg” Health Camp Committee, to be presented at the annual meeting of the Sunlight League on Wednesday. “The wing, for which the Christchurch Junior Chamber of Commerce is bearing part of the cost, is nearing completion and arrangements are in hand for the formal opening. With the extra children the school roll will rise to 42, and two teachers will be necessary. Plans for the new schoolroom have been prepared and tenders for its erection will be called in a few weeks. We are indebted to thQ Minister of Education (Mr T. H. McCombs) for his practical interest in this matter. When the new building is ready for occupation the present schoolroom will be used as a playroom, which is badly needed.” The report records that 150 children have, during the last year, each spent six and a half weeks at the health camp, making a total of 607 since “Glenelg” was opened in 1945. All the children were happy in camp and improved in general nealth and mental alertness and all but three increased in weight, some as much as 123 pounds in six and a half weeks. It is noted with pleasure that several children subject to asthma were free from attacks while they were at “Glenelg” and all put on weight. The report continues: “This year for the first time we have admitted children from the Buller district, two from that area now being included in each group entering camp. The children continue to be drawn from widely separated parts—from Reefton to Hari Hari, from Kaikoura to Geraldine and Albury, from Hororata to New Brighton.” The follow-up scheme, carried out by officers of the Department of Health, was proving most helpful, the report states, and ensured that the children were periodically examined for one year after they returned to their homes from camp. Many letters expressing thanks and gratitude had been received from parents and teachers had, in many cases, given unsolicited testimony of the improvement noticed in their pupils who had spent several weeks at the health camp. This year various improvements have been carried out in the grounds at "Glenelg.” The drive has been sealed, 250 pine trees have been planted to reinforce and extend a shelter belt, an additional half acre has been brought into cultivation in the garden, a new orchard has been planted, and a small fruits section with gooseberries and currants, has been prepared.