Gymnasium site

Press, 24 February 1979, Page 14

Gymnasium site

Sir, — I have recently received a letter from the principal of the Christchurch Girls’ High School in connection with the refusal of the Department of Education to grant the school the use of the gymnasium at the Teachers’ College. I note there have also been several letters on the subject in your columns. On the face of it there appears to be little justification for the decision. If a spokesman for the department does not soon publicly defend the decision, people will be left with the conclusion that this is just another example of bureaucratic indifference to the welfare of the community. —Yours, etc., C. M. ANDERSON. February 22, 1979.

Sir, — Christchurch Girls’ High School had its centennial celebrations two years ago. The school has an excellent record in the community in all educational fields, yet is still denied a basic requirement, a gymnasium for the present pupils and those to follow. Surely it is a simple matter to readjust the bureaucratic red tape in this instance. When the new school is built with an adequate gymnasium then, and only then, should the gymnasium in question be handed over for use as an examination centre. Let us move into the 1980 s with our priorities in perspective. There are very few more facilities at Christchurch Girls’ High School today for my daughter and her generation, than there were in my grandmother’s day. It is to be hoped that common sense will prevail over this issue. — Yours, etc., P.M. CURTIS. February 22, 1979.