Board Agrees To Talks On Schools

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 23

Board Agrees To Talks On Schools

The Canterbury Education Board is not confident that Kaiapoi can support a high school, but it has appointed representatives to have further talks with the Kaiapoi Borough Council, which is again pressing the claim. It also does not believe that the Southbridge District High School is yet ready to become a full high school. It gave these views

after considering detailed reports by its research officer (Mr K. R. McNeil) on secondary pupils in these areas, possible high school rolls from present primary pupils, and general population and development trends in the districts which would be served. Kaiapoi Prospects Likely contributing schools to a high school in Kaiapoi would be Clarkville, Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi North, Ohoka, and Swannanoa, with possibly a limited number from Belfast, Ouruhia, Woodend, Waikuku, and Amberley. “The extent to which this would occur would depend to a very large degree on the transport which could be made available,” said Mr McNeil. “It should be noted that if a school were established in Kaiapoi it would, on the present population, be a comparatively small school, particularly in the initial years. “It would be required to compete for pupils against the larger secondary schools at Papanui and Rangiora which would be able to offer a greater range of courses and would, therefore, possibly be more attractive to parents. Because of the degree of specilisation in agricultural courses, the Rangiora High School would possibly continue to draw the majority of pupils from the farming areas of the district.” On an approved formula, Mr McNeil estimated that a high school at Kaiapoi could attract 84 pupils in 1967, rising of 245 in 1971 and dropping to 235 in 1972. The population of Kaiapoi at the 1961 census was 3110, and the estimated population increase for the period 19611981 was 64 per cent. “In view of this anticipated growth I feel that in the interests of the future secondary school its opening should be deferred until a larger roll could be ensured,” said Mr McNeil. Southbridge Figures Schools contributing to the secondapr department at Southbridge were Leeston, Leeston Convent, Sedgemere, and Southbridge primary department. Mr McNeil found that this year’s secondary enrolment of 126 was likely to rise to only 175 in 1971 and 1972. The normal minimum roll for consideration of full high school status was 200. It was unlikely that Southbridge would justify a high school unless there was a marked change in estimates or a change in national policy.