Marylands school changes its name

Press, 23 January 1984, Page 2

Marylands school changes its name

The Marylands private school for backward and intellectually handicapped boys will change its name and management today when the school is handed to the Government.

Hogben School is the new name chosen for the residential school at Halswell. The name has been changed with the ’ transfer of re-

sponsibility to the State at the request of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God which has managed the school for the last 30 years.

The order of brothers has withdrawn from the school, although it will continue to run St John of God Hospital next to the school. The school, which will cater for 80 to 100 pupils aged from eight to 18, will also have a new principal, Mr Bruce Bridges. He was principal of the McKenzie School for children with behavioural problems. The deputy principal will be Mrs Kathy Jackson, an experienced psychologist, and head teacher, Mr Derick Wilkinson, an experienced principal of special schools. Most of the previous staff and teachers will continue to work at the school. The school’s land and buildings have been owned by the State since it was

rebuilt at the Government’s expense in the 19705. The State has subsidised the running of the school since then.

Hogben school is one of three special schools in Christchurch. The others are McKenzie and Van Asch College for the deaf. The location of the school would give the Education Department another option for children recommended for a residential placement because of the possibilities of community involvement and interaction with other schools, said department officials.

The department was pleased to take up the work of the school and an advisory committee had been established to assist staff. Parents of the pupils were included on the committee.

The change will be completed in time for the pupils to start school next week.