Use Of Land Adjoining Burnside H.S. Uncertain

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30554, 24 September 1964, Page 10

Use Of Land Adjoining Burnside H.S. Uncertain

The Education Department “has some plans in mind” for the block of land in Memorial avenue adjoining the Burnside High School. More will not be known for three or four months. This answer was • received by the Christchurch Secondary Schools’ Council in answer to its inquiry whether the property held for education had been reserved for any specific purpose. Originally the property was owned by Canterbury University College. After the choice of Ham for university expansion, it was held as a possible teachers’ college site. Lately it has been mooted as suitable for expansion of the Burnside High School.

“There is a move to establish a new teachers’ college on a block in Waimairi road near the university site,” said the chairman of the council (Mr W. J. Cartwright). “As a second string to its fiddle, the Education Department Is apparently holding the Memorial avenue site in case the Ham plan does not come off.” . Burnside Expansion The Westburn Primary School committee wrote to the council saying that it was interested in proposals for the development of the Burnside High School. It would prefer Burnside to continue as a co-educational school, rather than be split into single-sex sections. Westburn recommended that (1) the Burnside High School be allowed to grow to 1500 pupils before there was any diversification; (2) that a new library be provided for it soon; (3) that the assembly, hall be enlarged by at least 50 per cent: and (4) that increases in other facilities and staff be made as required.

When Burnside reached 1500 pupils. Westburn suggested that a junior school be developed with terminating courses for early leavers and those going to form V, and that an upper school concentrate more on those going on to tertiary education. Westburn considered that such a combined school should operate under one principal, possibly with divisional associates to free him for his over-all duties. Opinions Welcome Mrs F. O. Bennett said the council should be grateful that at least one commitee had taken the trouble to formulate local opinions. Mr A. F. Foley said that other committees had also discussed the matter. When Mr Cartwright suggested that the council file the letter for later reference and send a copy to Burnside, Mr W. H. Bowen said this might be the first of many submissions and it might be better to hold them until some definite proposals were made by the council'to Burnside.

“Surely well-informed public opinion will be valuable to Burnside as well as ourselves,” said Mr A. H. Flay. Mr Foley said that his colleagues at Burnside would be interested in views from any committee.