LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 13

LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

ABOUT 250 PARENTS MEET

The new Linwood High School began to assume a definite public identity last evening when about 250 parents of pupils were introduced to the new principal and his staff, and heard about arrangements for the opening in February. The Christchurch Postprimary School Board’s planning of its first new establishment, the erection of the buildings, and the interim board’s policy are all that have been reported so far, but the interest of the people of Linwood last evening showed that the suburb is conscious of its acquisition. The public hall hired could not hold all who wished to attend, and cars lined both sides of Aidwin’s road for a considerable distance. The Linwood High School would soon have to set up its own board of managers, said the chairman of the central board (Mr W. J. Cartwright) when he opened the meeting. He spoke about the establishment of the school and then introduced the first principal (Mr B. H. Wakelin) and his staff. The Linwood High School would have to make its own traditions. Mr Wakelin said. Everyone would be new, so no-one could perform initiation ceremonies (applause). In the school uniform chosen, it was believed that clothing had been selected which would be attractive, serviceable, and good value (applause). Some items of it would not be available immediately, but next year it would be possible to identify pupils “behaving well in public” by the Linwood colours. Because pupils could not be advised directly about books, time would be allowed for them to go to town during the first week after they assembled, Mr Wakelin said. Eventually the school would have its own bookroom for convenience. To sort out classes, tests would be given early in English, arithmetic, and general intelligence. Mr Wakelin then described the courses available.