School Within A School

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 3

School Within A School

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 24. The planning of a new type of post-pri-mary school at Porirua East—two schools within a school—had been approved by the Government, the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) announced today. “We shall study how it works and, if it is satisfactory, it could be adopted for other new schools.” The idea of the two schools within a school was becoming increasingly used for large rolls overseas. Two house blocks, each sep-

arate entities in classroom layout, flanked a core block containing administration officers, staff common-room, library, senior laboratories and senior classrooms. There was also a workshop block and a covered area with associated music and changing rooms. In each house block would be a multi-purpose covered area of about 2500 square feet for. house assemblies, team teaching and use as a students’ common-room. “This design retains the administrative advantages of a large school, while the house concept ensures that no pupil loses individual identity because of the size of the school,” said Mr Kinsella. . “A principal will be responsible for the management, with a senior staff member responsible for the control of each block.'

“The proposed layout also permits facilities for a much stronger sixth form,” he said. “While the proposed school occupies the space normally allocated for 800 pupils there is provision for 1200 and possibly future expansion maj permit this to be further increased to about 1800.” Maintenance would be reduced to a minimum by using reinforced concrete blocks for construction instead of weatherboard. Where practicable, movable fittings—en-

abling equipment to be shifted from one room to another—would be incorporated.

The work is to be done In all teaching rooms and had been carefully analysed and a room, from - which ordinary classrooms would draw specalised teaching equipment, would be provided. Provision for two advanced science laboratories in the central block, and three science rooms in each of the houses, represented a onethird increase in the science room without any increase in area, said Mr Kinsella.