POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27591, 23 February 1955, Page 12

POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS

CHRISTCHURCH PLEA FOR ADDITIONS

URGENCY SOUGHT FOR SHIRLEY BUILDING

Because of the desperate shortage of i ccommodation in Christchurch secondary schools and the prospect of increasing roll numbers next year, the Christchurch Post-Primary Schools’ Council decided, at a meeting last evening, to repeat its request to the Education Department for a start on building the Shirley Boys’ High School as soon as possible. The secretary of the council (Mr P. J. Halligan) was asked to compile a statement, detailing accommodation in the schools and their enrolments for 1956, and to circulate it to council members. A special meeting will be held on March 7 to consider the statisics and make recommendations. Mrs L. J. Broomfield, who represents the Christchurch Boys’ High School Board of Governors on the council, said her board felt that it was essential for the Shirley Boys’ High School to be opened as soon as possible. She suggested that temporary pre-fabric ited rooms be erected on the Cashmere High School and Shirley Boys’ High School sites to meet the demand.

“Urgent Need” “We know that another ‘single-sex’ school is needed urgently,” said Mis Broomfield. Parents have a right to get the type of education they want for their children. We had to refuse more than 200 boys admission this year, and we feel that we cannot let another week pass without impressing on the Education Department the urgent need to put plans for the Shirley Boys High School into immediate operation.”

“This council has been asking the department to start on the Shirley High School for the last two years,” said the chairman (Mr W. J. Cartwright). Mrs Broomfield: It is only constant dripping that wears away the stone. “Is there any reason why the Cashmere and Shirley schools should not be built at the same time?” asked Mr w (Christchurch Girls’ High School Board of Governors). Four post-primary schools had been built concurrently in Auckland, said Mrs Broomfield. The shortage of accommodation at the Christchurch Girls’ High School was desperate; in fact, this school was probably in a wo-'-? position than the Christchurch Bo; s High School, said Mr Caddick. “P”?.c'j' .ily all our schools are taxed to capacity and will not be able to take as many new pupils next year as they enrolled this year.” said Mr Cartwright. Report on Building Projects Mr Halligan submitted to the meeting a summary of work in progress at Christchurch post-primary schools, plans for new schools, and additions to existing buildings. “The council must depend on the Cashmere High School to absorb a share of the increasing post-primary population,” said the report “It is too early to say whether satisfactory progress is being made, but appropriate action should be taken to ensure that the urgency of the need is kept constantly before the contractor.” The latest information from the Education Department about the Shirley Boys’ High School was that it would incorporate ideas brought back by a mission which visited Britain last year, said the report. The department had indicated that the new school would open in 1958; but because of the burden already imposed on the established schools, it was desirable that the department be asked to plan for it to open a year earlier.