Supervision

Press, 23 February 1978, Page 1

Supervision

Most Christchurch secondary school principals will attend their schools or at least make a check during the one-day strike by teachers today, a survey by “The Press” showed yesterday. The principals have been put in an invidious position because all, or most, are members of the P.P.T.A. and to some degree support the action. But they are also heads of their schools, and many feel they have a duty first to the school and only second to their teaching association.

Of the 14 principals, “The Press” was hble to reach 10 by telephone yesterday. Of the 10, eight said that they would attend their school. The two who said they would not attend were Messrs T. R. Hitchings, of Riccarton High School, and M. K. Denholm, of Shirley Boys’ High School. Both said that arrangements had been made for the chairman of their schools’ board of governors to attend. Mr Hitchings said last evening that he was a member of the P.P.T.A. and he supported the action it had taken. “It is the board that has notified parents not to send their children and it is the board that will take any responsibility if any child-

ren come to school,” he said.

Comments from other principals were:— Aranui High School, Mr A. W. Gilchrist: “I will attend the meeting of P.P.T.A. delegates at 10 a.m. and will drop into school on the way to see that everything is all right. I hope a good number of principals will be at the meeting.” Hillmorton High School, Mr P. W. Murdoch: “Yes, I will be there some of the day.”

Papanui High School, Mr P. R. Hay: “I will attend with the deputy principal to ensure that if the children attend someone takes responsibility. If 1 have no staff there, 1 will be there to tell the pupils to return home.”

Hornby High School, Mr A. E. L. Britton: “We will have some relieving teachers who may stand in, depending on their consciences. 1 will be there. There will be ancillary staff. There is a lot of work going on. It would be a bit irresponsible for me not to be there.”

Cashmere High School, Mr R. A. Chapman: “I will be along for the first part of the day. If there are any problems 1 will consult with the board chairman.”