PONSONBY SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21274, 30 August 1932, Page 10

PONSONBY SCHOOL

QUESTION OF STAFFING MANY RELIEVING TEACHERS DELAY IN RE-ARRANGEMENT

Owing to delay in dealing with the proposed ro-arrangement of the four Ponsonby schools, an unusual position has arisen at the Ponsonby School, which has been steadily falling in grade. majority of the 6taff hold relieving positions and it is likely that the first assistant teacher, who is acting-headmaster, will shortly take up a headmaster's position at another school.

"The staffing has reached a deplorable position," said Mr. R. A. Rew, chairman of the Ponsonby Schools Committee, yesterday. Mr. Rew said that, with the withdrawal of the acting-headmaster, only three permanent teachers would remain on a staff of nine. There was a preponderance of women teachers. It was not in the best interests of the children that so many changes in staff should occur, especially at the present time of the year.

The present roll of the school is slightly over 300 and it is steadily decreasing. Recently the committee advocated the closing of the main department of tho school and retaining the infant department as a side school to Curran Street School. Tho proposal, which was considered an economical one and most suited to the circumstances, was adopted by the Education Board, which recommended it to the Education Department. It was pointed out that tho proposal, if carried out, would raise tho Curran Street School to top grade and thus tho committee would control three toj>-grade schools, Richmond Road, Bayfield and Curran Street. However, the department advised tho board recently that no action should be taken this year, as it was hoped to discuss later tho future educational requirements of the Ponsonby district. It was intimated that the possibility of using tho Curran Street School as an intermediate school was being considered. Further representations ha,ve now been mado to tho department and a reply is expected shortly.