SCHOOL OVERFLOWING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 11

SCHOOL OVERFLOWING

TEACHING IN CORRIDORS PT. CHEVALIER CONGESTION The need for accommodation, particularly in the infant department, was the substance of a request to the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, on Saturday, by a deputation from the Point Chevalier Schocd Committee. The deputation consisted of Mr. S. G. Crookbain (chairman), Mr. W. H. Phillips, and Mr. H. Wooller (headmaster), and was introduced by Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P. Mr. Crookbain said that more accommodation was urgently needed. Six years ago there was a side school of 60 pupils. Now the roll numbered -600. There was particularly a lack of room in the infant department, and children had to be taught in the corridors. After the last holidays, 22 children had been admitted. In the past, the local church had been used as extra accommodation, but this cost the Education Department money, which could be put into the cost of additions. With the extension of the tramline to Point Chevalier and a corresponding influx of residents, the congestion would become more acute. The headmaster (Mr. H. Wooler) said that the increase up to last year had been 100 a year. There were 611 children on the roll, and the rooms were 24ft by 22ft, giving room, on a 12ft basis, for '44 children in each class. All the rooms had over 44 children, and the numbers went up to 61. Admission, to new pupils had had to be refused.- Three new rooms in the infants’ department were needed to meet the position. Mr. Fletcher stressed the position regarding the development of transport in the district. The Minister said that he was in sympathy with the request, and obviously there was urgent need for increased accommodation. He would consult ' the Auckland Education Board and give the deputation an early reply.