Planning For New High School

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30815, 29 July 1965, Page 13

Planning For New High School

Although it made no firm commitment, the Christchurch Secondary Schools’ Council indicated it might be necessary in about two years to plan a high school in Breens road, north of Lake Bryndwr.

The matter arose when tenants of the property, used for farming, asked for an extension of their lease for at least four years. “I don’t think there is any

doubt that the property will be needed before four years,” said the secretary (Mr P. J. Halligan). The council, he said, had deferred consideration of future school needs until present enrolments were settled, but already there seemed to be a fair amount of pressure in numbers in the Burnside area, although the over-all number of places seemed adequate until about 1968.

Even if this situation still pertained, something would have to be done for pupils who could not get into their nearest or next nearest school, Mr Halligan said. It took about two years to build a high school and, even if Breens road was not required until 1969, building would have to start in 1967. Mr A. F. Foley said that the Burnside High School had to tighten the circle from which pupils were drawn this year and, allowing in on paper only those nearest to Burnside, it would have been necessary to exclude some. Beyond that limit only those with brothers or sisters at the school could be admitted. “It seems building may be needed within two years,” said the chairman (Mr W, J. Cartwright). On Mr D. W. Rutherford’s motion it was agreed to inform the lessees that extension for four years seemed improbable.