Policy On Large Schools

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 14

Policy On Large Schools

The Education Department would not favour the development of very large neighbouring schools if accommodation at the Hagley High School was not being fully used, said a letter received by the school board of governors last evening. The board had written to the department expressing concern at the proposal that some very large high schools should be allowed, particularly when population was tending to move away from the central situation of Hagley.

The department said an intensive study was being made of Christchurch school trends. When it was completed there should be “a very fair picture." However, the department would seek to preserve economic and balanced development in whatever pattern was justified by new trends.

The headmaster (Mr T. R. Richards) reported that this week the large mahogany war memorial honours board from the Christchurch Technical College (which was amalgamated with the Christchurch West High School to form Hagley) had been installed in the school foyer. Working drawings for the school’s free-standing library had been submitted for estimates of cost to be prepared, and progress was now being made, Mr Richards said. The headmaster also reported “satisfying” developments In sports—a second yacht acquired for the school club, athletic successes for school competitors running for the Technical club, and the completion of prototype seating for the gymnasium which would be constructed by the school's technical department