Pupils Seek Employment

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 20

Pupils Seek Employment

Average and better than average pupils were leaving school to snatch up jobs as they became available instead of waiting until the end of the school year, the headmaster of the Mairehau High School (Mr A. B. Ryan) told a meeting of the school board this week. “It could be a reflection of the current economic situation that the more impatient pupils who might normally have left as soon as they turned 15 are staying on.” Mr Ryan said. There appeared to be a reduction in the number of apprenticeships available. “A natural increase in the school roll of about 80 pupils is expected next year." Mr Ryan said, “but the effect of the economic difficulties may raise the number on the roll above the 920 at present estimated.”

The board approved an application for three additional prefabricated classroom units to cope with the increased roll.

There was no such thing as a maximum roll, Mr Ryan said. He had been asked by the board’s chairman (Mr C. T. Ford) to suggest an optimum roil.

“Experience overseas has shown that schools can run efficiently with rolls of 2000 or more and the maximum is limited only by accommodation and teaching staff,” Mr Ryan said. A roll of 1050 was suggested as an optimum for the school.