SCHOOL ROLL DECLINES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29330, 8 October 1960, Page 15

SCHOOL ROLL DECLINES

Grave Concern At Cashmere

The Cashmere Primary School Committee, .gravely concerned about declining roll numbers, thinks there may be an impression among parents that there is still a restriction on entries from outside the district.

Some years ago Cashmere was always full and the Canterbury Education Board built the Thorrington School, at the foot of the hills, to take pupils from the flat. New boundaries were defined and the understanding v as promulgated that pupils for Cashmere should come only from the hills.

As the pupils of long-settled families on the hill have grown up, numbers at the Cashmere Primary School have dropped, until today with the roll under 300, it is threatened with loss of the privilege of a non-teaching headmaster. The committee says two good teachers have had to leavd because of .down-grading of the school and more might have to go unless numbers pick un quickly. Meanwhile the Thorrington School has built up a roll approaching Cashmere’s- and two prefabricated units have had to be added “The Canterbury Education Board justifiably believed that new subdivisions on the hills would sustain the Cashmere roll,” said a spokesman for the committee. “In fact, sections are so expensive that they are mostly being bought by more mature couples whose families are beyond primary school age. "We realise we are the victims Of circumstances, but it would be a pity if there are any families wishing to send children to Cashmere, who think they cannot do so. The school is in first-class order, an additional playground has been levelled, filtration plant has been installed in the swimming pool, and there is always the attraction of having a school above fog level,” the spokesman said.