THE SCHOOL TO-DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE SCHOOL TO-DAY

•FINE MODERN BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS TO GROUND ' Standing 'on an area of 11 acres of land that,/ a comparatively, short time ago, was rough and unattractive, the present-day Inglewood school is a building that the district may'be well proud of. . 7, In one way the long fight put up by residents and committeemen for adequate recognition of their claims by the Department of Education has had a beneficial result. When it became known that at long last. the district was to have 1 a fine, - modem school building, the keenest possible interest was taken in the improvement of the site, and comprehensive i planning and hard work levelled and improved the reserved area into one of the. finest school grounds in the province. ■ ' \ In front of'the building a considerable area .has been graded and turfed for a playing and assembly area, and similar work has been done at the back, which slopes gradually awayfto the foot of a small hill which may eventually be moved to .fill in a blind creek which runs through the ground. In the meantime the little water course has been slab drained and covered and the sides have been graded and sloped so that, if the final decision is against IJie filling of the creek, there will be an area excellently suited for the planting of shade and ornamental trees. Across the creek itself a playing area for the boys has been levelled, entailing heavy work with scoops and tractors among hillocks and hollows. The whole area has been ploughed, harrowed and sown and Will work up into an excellent cricket and football

ground. There is the possibility of a basketball ground being laid in the near, future or, alternatively, a school garden. Those who have been familiar with the site for some, years are of the opinion that the ■ committee’s - work in a comparatively short time is. little short of remarkable. Definite planning and foresight /have produced a fine job. - The' school building itself is of attractive appearance and is built to the latest specifications of Education Department architects. It is of the attractive “fresh air” type with, large windows admitting a maximum of sunlight to

the rooms. There are no corridors and the ventilation is arranged so that there can be no draughts. Each class room and the staff quarters have separate: heating units- and are brightly and , attractively furnished. . The new school was officially opened; for use on February 14, 1935, by Mr. J_. A. Valentine,. chairman of the Taranaki Education Board.