EDUCATION IN THAMES.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20270, 24 March 1938, Page 5

EDUCATION IN THAMES.

INTERMEDIATE PROPOSAL. Favoured By Householders. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ POSITION. SEPARATE COMMITTEES WANTED The proposal of an intermediate school for Thames, and consolidation of primary schools in the district, was endorsed by a meeting of some 2UO householders and parents at the Miners’ Union Hall last night, and later in the meeting it was recommended that separate primary school districts be established with separate committees to control each district. At present the three Thames primary schools are controlled by a central committee. This position ivas brought about in 1912.

The chair was occupied by the Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, who briefly intimated that the questions set down for discussion were of real importance to the parents and children of the Thames district.

The position in regard to the proposal of establishing an intermediate school at Thames was very fully dealt with by the High School Board of Governors chairman, Mr. J. W. Danby. There was need, he said, for the educational system being modelled, or remodelled, in order to better serve the children and equip them so they might be better fitted to take their place in the world. Nothing but the best was good enough for them. Consolidation. Referring to consolidation in relation to Thames and district schools, Mr. Danby stated that on the basis of salaries paid and the number of children taught, the small school, in his opinion, was uneconomic and not in the best interests of the children. Consolidation would mean the linking np of schools throughout the district. In turning to deal with the intermediate proposal, Mr. Danby said he had nothing but praise to say about the primary schools and the teaching of the children therein, but he pointed out that under the present system, when a pupil left and went to the High School there was a definite loss caused through the present gap existing between the two departments. Under the intermediate school system pupils in Standards 5 and (5 of the primary school would be transferred to what might be called a junior High School. Right from the primary school, then, there would be progressive and continual system of education. Specialised training by special teachers would be available in order that the child's bent could bo determined. At present not more than 2~i net cent, of the children were going fin to a scholastic or an educational career, the balance leaving school without any contribution to their vocation or future. The position as it affects the T,ham<>s High School, and the steps that had been taken in connection with the proposal, were outlined by the speaker. Conferences of all educational interests in Thames had been held and approval given to the intermediate proposal. Motion Moved. A motion was then put before the meeting, moved by Mr. Danby and seconded by Mr. P. 0. Downes, that the meeting approved of the proposal to establish an intermediate school at Thames, to be proceeded with at an early date.

Mr. P. Trebilcock, representing the Central School Parents' Association, said the matter had never been discussed by his organisation. He was of the opinion that the Association should have had more opportunity of discussing the question. Mr. W. H. Hoult, headmaster >f the Tbames High School, dealt very ''uJly with many aspects of the intermvli;vto school, and pointed out that Jf f he scheme went through, Thames would bo a long way down the list of applicants for intermediate schools. Paeroa, he said, was going to get an.intermediate school, as were other places such as Cambridge, and on the Plains consoli' dation was to be brought about, mid possibly following that the introduction of an intermediate department.

"These places art* going ahead, and while they do so, is Thames going to stand still?" asked Mr. Hoult. Details of the working of an intermediate school were explained by Mr. Hoult. In reference to primary schools, when the fifth and sixth standards had been taken away, Mr. Hoult said provision had been made for the safeguarding of the headmasters and teachers so -that they would be safe. So far, he had yet to learn of any objections to the "beheading" of primary schools.

Dr. T. E. Miller asked if ail intermediate school was established, would that mean the automatic consolidation of primary schools? Mr. Hoult stated it would not be necessarily so.

Mr. W. S. Burford sought information as to what the position of the younger children at the primary schools would be. Mr. Hoult, he stated, had said teachers would bo transferred. Would that mean the children would be taught by lower grade teachers? asked Mr. Burford.

t)r. Miller said that was the reason why he had thought consolidation was

wrapped up in the matter of fin inter mediate- school.

"It is not often in Thames that we

are given an opportunity of voicing an opinion on anything," said Mr. B. D. Chapman, who held that (lie matter should be deferred in order that the Parents' Associations could go into the pros and cons. There were people present, he said, who would not desire to

voice their views at the meeting. If the intermediate school was

brought about it would mean that the grade of primary schools as at present would fall and lower graded headmasters and teachers would be in charge. Two Amendments. An amendment that the words be added to the resolution, "Provided that consolidation be carried out in this district," was moved by Dr. Miller and Mr. N. Jonassen.

A further amendment, "that the question be deferred and a special meeting be called at a later date," was moved by Messrs. Chapman and W. Fortune. There wero numerous points other than those already mentioned which would have to be discussed, and it was only fair that some period for consideration be given, said Mr. Fortune. Mrs. Thorn pointed out that parents who comprised the Parents' Associations had been notified of the meeting. "The argument that parents will not get up to speak is too feeble to advance," she said. On being put to the meeting, the second amendment was heavily defeated, and Dr. Miller's amendment was carried by a large majority and, as the motion, was again endorsed