MORE FORM 1 TO 6 SCHOOLS PROPOSED

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32018, 19 June 1969, Page 1

MORE FORM 1 TO 6 SCHOOLS PROPOSED

Several district high schools in the southern region were being considered for translation to Form 1 to 6 high schools, said the superintendent of education in Christchurch (Mr H. M. McMillan) yesterday.

He declined to say which schools were most likely to achieve changed status, but said the schools of this type that did exist in the area had been most successfuL Geraldine High School, opened as a Form 1 to 6 school in 1963 as one of two in a pilot scheme, had been a definite success, Mr McMillan said. It must have been considered by the Government when it decided on the translation of another group of district high schbls. In 1963 when the Geraldine scheme opened the roll was 440. This year, it had risen to 553.

More specialist staff would be attracted to Form 1 to 6 schools and pupils in the 11 to 13 age group might benefit a great deal through being brought into contact with a larger number of pupils belonging to a higher age group. The effects of removing Form 1 and 2 pupils from country primary schools was considered carefully, and parents were given the opportunity to vote on the issue. Government Decision Mr McMillan said that recommendations on the translation of district high schools were not made without a great deal of investigation and consultation. The decision was made by the Government. The education board concerned was consulted, inspectors considered all aspects, and school committees and parents were also invited to give their views. Other Form 1 to 6 schools in the southern region are

the Tokomairiro High School, Milton, opened as such in 1966, and the Methven and East Otago High Schools (Palmerston) opened this year. The region also had the only “area school” in New Zealand—the Maniototo Area School at Ranfurly, formerly a district high school. This was a primer 1 to Form 5 school and allowed a rearrangement of teaching staff and strength to the benefit of the chUdren attending. Mr McMillan said primary schools in country areas need not be weakened unduly—removal- of the Form 1 and 2 pupils could give the teacher a better chance to deal with teaching composite classes. Country secondary school pupils in an area served by a Form 1-to 6 school could, if courses were not available, apply for academic bursaries which carried the same value as boarding bursaries. In this way, they would not suffer through the move.

Asked about the criteria for making a change, Mr McMillan said that the change was considered when it would mean better education for pupils in the secondary department and for Form 1 and 2 pupils brought in.