PAPANUI HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 22

PAPANUI HIGH SCHOOL

Building Needs

Listed

The Papanui High School has a big two-storey block of eight classrooms under construction but board members were reminded that this will only replace six prefabricated classrooms and, with the roll at 953, there is a growing need for further accommodation.

The headmaster (Mr E. Fancy) said the Education Department had been understanding throughout, it had agreed to the remodelling of the woodwork room and of the physics laboratory, but there was need for other improvements. The present library was “quite inadequate” and twice the present space was needed, there was no space for a sixth form library, and shelving was insufficient. The hall was now too small. About 100 pupils had to be put on the stage with the staff at assemblies. The stage was not satisfactory for its present use as a music room. If the hall was in use, music classes could not be taken there. A separate music room was needed. The careers officers shared what Mr Fancy called, in his written report, a small, inadequate, badly-lit room” but, in his oral comment, “a pokey little hole.” They were entitled to separate offices.

Cloakrooms and toilets for staff were unsatisfactory, particularly for women teachers. Inspectors had commented on this in their report. It was agreed that the building committee report on all future planning needs.