OHIRO BAY SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 69, 19 September 1938, Page 4

OHIRO BAY SCHOOL

ADDITIONS OPENED

MINISTER ON POLICY

The official opening of a new model infant room and other additions to the Ohiro Bay School took place at a social and dance held at the school on Saturday evening. The ceremony was performed by the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser), who was accompanied by Mrs. Fraser, and others in the official party were Mr. C. H. Nicholls, a member of the Education Board, Mr. R. McKeen, M.P., Mrs. McKeen, and Mr. Drummond, education board architect, Mr. C. J. Rooney, chairman of the school committee, presided. Welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, the chairman said that the occasion was an important one in the history of the district. Mr. McKeen spoke of the long negotiations that preceded the improvements to the school, and paid a tribute to the local people for their determined efforts, to the Education Board and to the Department. Mr. Nicholls spoke of the progress that had. been made in the district which 50' years ago was only a fishing ground for the small boys of that day. He praised the methods adopted by the Minister for expediting urgent works such as the new school room, and said that the education board had received every help from Mr. Fraser. Mr. Fraser said that as Minister lie had to thank his party and Parliament for supporting the policy which had enabled such class-rooms and other modern facilities to be provided. He i outlined changes that had taken place in educational practice, and said he was glad to be able to say that Ohiro Bay had benefited, especially under the new regulations demanding larger rooms. TRUE FUNCTION OF EDUCATION. Educationally, said the Minister, it was wrong to regard schools as merely classsrooms and education as merely the teaching of the child. Better recreational and leisure facilities such as the splendid new tennis and basketball courts at this school provided the continuation of healthful occupations which so many young people missed after leaving school. With the furtherance of that policy any temporary ills, associated oy some with the forty-hour, week and misused leisure, would tend to disappear. Mr. Fraser then declared the additions formally opened. The headmaster, Mr. J. McAllister, on behalf of the school staff and the | children, thanked all those concerned in providing the new facilities. Ohiro Bay provided only a small example of what was being done nationally, he said. Mr. McAllister paid a tribute to the school committee and the Home and School Association for their untiring efforts; and said he felt sure that if his predecessor, Miss Hargreaves, could have been present on this occasion to see the material fruition of her hopes for a new room, she would have been ready to endorse the speaker's expression of gratitude. Mrs. Fraser and Mrs. McKeen were S resented with beautiful posies by [iss Rooney.