ACCOMMODATION OF PUPILS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27277, 18 February 1954, Page 9

ACCOMMODATION OF PUPILS

PAPANUI TECHNICAL SCHOOL ROLL

A total of 237 new pupils—l 24 boys and 113 girls—was admitted* to the Papanui Technical High School this year, said the principal (Mr L. B. Newton) in his report to a meeting of the school’s board of managers yesterday. The first-year roll last year was 230.

Mr Newton said that 315 pupils returned to the school to fourth, fifth, and sixth forms, making a total roil of 552, an increase of 49 on that of last year. The increase in the total roll was the result of larger numbers passing through the school at the fourth and fifth form levels.

Mr J. Sturrock: Where are we going to put them all? “We have only been able to accommodate them by using specialist rooms for the teaching of general subjects,” Mr Newton said. “The closing of the first-year roll early, last year, was necessary because of lack of classrooms. We have seven first-year classes again this year with an average of 34 pupils a class.

“Classes are larger than they should be for satisfactory working, particularly in practical subjects,” he said. “There appears to be no alternative to large classes until more class-rooms are built. We are lucky this year m being able to absorb the increase into existing classes for the most part.” Discussing the outlook for 1955. Mr Newton said it was certain that if the school accepted the same number of first-year pupils next year there would need to be additional classes. “These extra classes will require class-rooms, and these class-rooms are not likely to be ready for 1955,” he said.

Mr Newton said that enrolments of evening students had filled most of the classes held last year. The demand for instruction in dressmaking and millinery was more than the college could meet.