Steps To Improve Staff Room At Grey High School

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1948, Page 2

Steps To Improve Staff Room At Grey High School

With its requests for urgent attention to be given to the provision of adequate accommodation at the school for the staff still unanswered by the Education Department, the Board of Governors of the Greymouth Technical High School decided last evening to proceed with its own plans for a temporary improvement in the quarters. “Are we going to take this?” asked Mr G. Gillespie, after the principal, Mr W. M. Stewart, had read letters sent by him to the department concerning the need for new quarters, and a telegram sent that day. none of which had been answered. “I have a plan,” declared the chairman, Mr F. L. Turley. “It is agreed that the present quarters are not adequate, but until new arrangements are made we can do something io make the room more pleasant.” Mr Turley went on to suggest that alterations, including painting and widening doorways and replacing a sink and a gas burner with more modern equipment, should be carried out. He also proposed that new cupboards, table and chairs should also be provided. The total cost would be £BB 12s, excluding the dozen chairs valued at £3 10s each. “This is just another 10-year-plan temporary arrangement,’ said Mr Gillespie, adding that it was not right that the board should allow a staff of 23 to occupy a 17ft x lift 6in room. The chairman said that the room was the only one available until the Education Board carried out the scheme to incorporate the present boys’ cloak room, and it could be brightened up and fitted with equipment that later could be used in the major scheme. He explained to members that it would not be possible to purchase new seats lor the whole staff of 23 as the room would not take them. “This is the first thing I took up when I came on to the board, and now on my last night I am still not satisfied,” said Mi- Gillespie (whose term'has now expired). “It is also the first thing I took ' up when I arrived at the school,” said the principal. . “If the chairman gets this done, he will have performed a great job,” said Mr J. H. North. “There has been, need for some improvement for 14 years, but no other board has done anything about it at all.” The suggestions of the chairman were adopted, and it was decided to have the alterations carried out as soon as possible. Declaring that he was not satisfied yet with the arrangements, Mr Gillespie asked that his vote be recorded against the motion.