NEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30145, 31 May 1963, Page 10

NEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Inter - Denominational

Group’s Plans

An independent group of Christchurch business and professional men, drawn from the Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Salvation Army, Methodist, and Brethren churches, is founding a new inter-denominational preparatory school for both boys and girls from five to 13 years of age.

They have bought one of Canterbury’s h surrounding five acres than £12,000. They wi another £5OOO on addi and two new classrooi more classrooms and a

[ “Middleton Grange,” iistoric homes and its of parkland, for more ill immediately spend itional utility services ms and later add five m assembly hall.

The school will accommodate 250 pupils within two years of its opening next February, and half this number in the five to 10 age group will be accepted in the first year. A boarding establishment will eventually be set up also. “The purpose in founding a school of this character is to couple first-class education with a thorough grounding in the Christian faith as presented in the Holy Scriptures,” says the announcement of plans by the sponsors.

later two-storey addition The secluded grounds be tween Acacia avenue anc Arthur street. Riccarton, ars notable for fine old trees (in eluding a huge blue cedar’ a long bank of rhododen drons in species which flowe from June till Christmas spacious lawns, and gardenand shrubberies. Sir Charles Bowen Colonel John Studholme. Mr A. P Boyle, and Mr J. V Scales are the- succession of ow tiers.

A trust formed by the school sponsors purchased the property from Mr Seales. Sponsors have subscribed the full purchase price plus almost enough for the immediate extensions.

So far as they know, this provision of a co-educational school by such a wide range of Christian interests is unique in this country '■Church schools have long formed a part of the New Zealand educational scheme but these schools, without exception, are associated with particular denominations.' says the announcement. “Middleton Grange” will be preserved in the name of the school, and by the retention of the homestead which is a combination of the original rammed earth building (still in excellent condition after 100 years) and a

Mr W J. Taylor, a wellknown public accountant in the firm of Wilkinson and Wilkinson, has been appointed bursar for Middleton Grange School. • * The Board of Governors is: Mr D. Laugesen (chairman! the Rev. W A. Davies. Dr. J A. Lewis, Messrs F. H Baird E. Bennetts, J E. Davies, W L. C. Purdie, W J Taylor, C B. Wells, and Mrs Hope Warneck, with Mr G. Parry as legal adviser.