Offshoots Of Schools’ Merger Discussed

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30857, 16 September 1965, Page 18

Offshoots Of Schools’ Merger Discussed

The “only unpleasant feature” of negotiations for the amalgamation of the Christchurch Technical High School and the Christchurch West High School has been settled. The West board has given complete apnroval for renlicas of the Technical war memorial tablets to be joined to its own in the foyer of the new Hagley High School. The Technical chairman (Mr R. Jones) said at a meeting of his board last evening hn was delighted that the West board agreed that “those who fought and died together should be commemorated together in the new school.” ' The only aspect of the amalgamation remaining unsettled is the future role of the two old nunils’ associations and their affiliated sports clubs. The Technical Past and Senior Students’ Association wrote last evening on behalf of some of its clubs asking whether snorts facilities on the Ensors road erounds w""!d still be available. The Drinrinal o# *he Tech r»U*i Institute <Mr D W ■ I '’Bill. «'ho handled manv nfj nesnt<atinnc head of Fnr mer Technical Cniiece an »’ndprst?n<j °rni«ndc wnnM hp t-»ncfpn-M for the use nf the 1 k lUgley High School provided l

Technical clubs had reasonable access.

There were now rumours that the grounds would be available only to closed clubs. Mr Lyall said. The board could allay such apprehenI sions. “Virtually Guaranteed” Mr Jones said the board had virtually guaranteed continuation of facilities to Technical clubs within reasonable bounds. “We have provided Christchurch and New Zealand with some notable athletes and we have always accepted the principle that 1 oeople with Technical backgrounds from other centres or I from overseas were welcome to ioin our clubs,” he said. The West High Schoo) board agreed generally with this, Mr Jones said. Staffs and present pupils could merge by agreement of the boards, but the old pupils’ associations were self-governing.

Mr I. Jackson said the two old pupils’ associations would meet next week to consider problems of common interest resulting from the merger. “T think this also will iron itself out if we leave it a month or so." said Mr Jones. In committee the Technical board considered which of its assets should be transferred •o the Haelev High School and which retained for the Technical Institute.