PARENTS’ PROTEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 4

PARENTS’ PROTEST

CHILDREN TURNED AWAY GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL Auckland, Feb. 4. Following a test which was held at the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School on Tuesday. 81 of the new applicants for admission were told yesterday not to return to the school, according to statements made by parents last night. A statement that all the new applicants for admission to the school could not be accommodated and that some would have to be sent elsewhere was made earlier in the week by the headmistress, Miss E. M. Johnston, when announcing that the classification test would be held.

Concern at the manner in which the girls’ education was being affected at the start of their secondary schooling was expressed last night by Mr C. H. Newling, of Mount Albert road, who spoke on behalf of a number of the parents. Mr Newling said that many of the parents of girls who had been sent away from the school had enrolled their daughters before Christmas and, in the belief that they would be admitted. had gone to the expense of providing the clothing specified. “They started at the school on Tuesday and had to undergo the test under conditions which were strange to them,” said the speaker. "Now they have been turned adrift and we do not know where they are to go. It was suggested to them that they could get into some other school, possibly Takapuna or Kowhai. Apart from travel considerations, these schools do not always suit for the type of education the children are seeking.” A number of the girls concerned had lost a year's schooling when the schoolentrance age was raised from five to six years, said the speaker. They were now being penalised again on account of the raising of the school leaving age. “These children were eliminated bya competitive examination, but we do not know who. if anyone, sanctioned this means of exclusion from the school.” Mr Newling concluded. “We are forced to send our children to school until they are 15 years of age and we would welcome an official announcement as to the provision the Education Board intends to make for them. Even if the accommodation at the Grammar School is fully taxed, surely there are halls in the vicinity which could be used. This could probably be managed by staff readjustments."