NORTH-EAST VALLEY

Evening Star, Issue 23968, 20 August 1941, Page 2

NORTH-EAST VALLEY

DECAPITATION OF SCHOOL transfer of higher standards PROPOSED A suggestion from the department came before the Otago Education Board at its meeting to-day that the board should approach the North-east Valley School Committee with a view to securing its consent to the decapitation of the school and the transfer of tbeFonn I. and 11. pupils to the Dunedin North Intermediate School. The department added that the board would be aware that the Minister recently announced that intermediate schools were to be regarded as part of the education system, and that as circumstances permitted steps would be taken to establish new intermediate schools. It followed, therefore, that in accordance with this declared policy spare accommodation at existing intermediate schools should wherever possible be filled by the transfer of Form I. and II; pupils from nearby schools. It was stated that the Director of Education would bo pleased to visit Dunedin and address the parents at North-east Valley. The Secretary reported that at the beginning of next year the number of intermediate school children from the North-east Valley School would be about 127—probably less, allowing for children who would not be promoted. Prom the Gardens to Black’s road and Millar street there were 38 children; distance by tram to intermediate school varied from If to If miles; walking through the Gardens the distance was from I|-1| miles. There were 50 children in the area from Black’s road and Millar street to Arnold street; distance by tram 11-2 J miles; distance walking, T|-2 miles. There were 25 children between Arnold street and Normanby; distance by tram, 2i-2-J miles; walking, 2-2 f miles. There were four children in the Opoho area to Black’s road; distance by tram, lf-2J- miles; walking, 1:1-1 f miles. In the Opoho area north of Black’s road there were six children; distance by tram, 2J miles, plus walking, say, half a mile; walking, 15 miles to 2 miles. The remaining four children lived on the city side of the Gardens. The chairman (Mr James Wallace) said that he did not know how the North-east Valley people _ would look upon the matter. The children would not be able to go home for lunch. Unless the Education Department were prepared to assist the board in some way he did not think they could get the goodwill of the North-east Valley School, and the board wanted the goodwill. They had to be prepared to show the North-east Valley School that the children were going to benefit, and educationally he would say they would benefit tremendously. On the motion of Mr D. C. Cameron it was decided to hold over preliminary discussion on the matter, this to be taken in committee. Following discussion in committee, it was decided to accept the director’s suggestion that be should come to Dunedin and address the parents of the North-east Valley School children.