SCHOOL’S FUTURE

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22152, 25 September 1943, Page 6

SCHOOL’S FUTURE

SECONDARY EDUCATION BOARD SEEKS CLARIFICATION The future of secondary education in Hamilton was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Hamilton High School Board of Governors yesterday when it was decided to ask the Education Department whether the scheme originally proposed was still unchanged. The chairman, Mr H. M. Hammond, said that about five years ago a combined meeting of interested parties had conferred with the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, and a scheme in regard to the reorganisation of Hamilton’s educational facilities had been adopted. This provided for the building of the new West School, converting the old West School and the present Hamilton Technical High School into an intermediate school, and combining the technical and high schools. It was proposed that the latter should be retained as the girls’ school and that a new boys’ school should be built on the board’s Hamilton East property. Boarding facilities were to be provided for both schools. Recent Developments Recently he had noticed a report that the technical high school board was endeavouring to obtain a hostel adjacent to the school, continued the speaker, who added that anything not in conformity with the original proposal might jeopardise the whole scheme. Further, the Education Board had requested portion of the 46 acres in Hamilton East as a site for an intermediate school. A suggestion had also been made that portion of the Technical High School might be retained as an adult school. If there were to be any variations of the big scheme, contended Mr Hammond, the parties to the original agreement should be again called together to discuss them. There was the fear that in the event of disunity Hamilton might be passed over. It would be an excellent thing for the town to have an established boarding school for boys. The headmaster, Mr H. D. Tait, said there were 20 boys at present boarding in Hamilton. If a hostel were available next year he considered he could put 50 boys into it. He understood that two large boarding schools elsewhere were filled until 1945. Intermediate Schools In regard to the intermediate school, said Mr S. B. Sims, the position had altered in the last five years and the Education Board had found that two such schools were now required. The Technical High School was considered unsuitable for the purpose. It was estimated that there would be at least 800 children available for the intermediate schools, and as 400 was considered the maximum satisfactory number it was suggested that one school should be established on the east side of the river and another on the west side. He suggested that it was desirable to call a further meeting to re-discuss the matter and to evolve a scheme to meet present requirements. Mr C. L. Mac Diarmid said he doubted whether it was right for a local board to take the initiative in calling a conference. Differences of opinion had cxjated pjior to the meeting called by the Minister, but a unanimous decision had been reached and each side had given way a little. If Hamilton had outgrown that scheme the sooner the board knew the better. The first step should be to ask the Minister if the scheme were still what the department had in mind in Hamilton. If the scheme had been abandoned the board’s duty was to concentrate on what was required for the High School. Avoiding Division Mr J. H. Terry suggested that in order to avoid any division of the issue the board should approach the Technical High School Board to see what scheme it had in mind. Mr J. R. Fitz Gerald said that 12 or 15 years ago plans had been drawn up for the erection of a boys’ school hostel. This had been shelved in favour of the combined school in Hamilton East. The board decided to write to the department to inquire whether the scheme was to be proceeded with. Present at yesterday’s meeting were- Mr H. M. Hammond (chairman), Mrs W. J. Earle, Messrs C. L. Mac Diarmid, S. B. Sims, J. R FitzGerald, J. H. Terry and R. McCaw. Also in attendance were the principal, Mr H. D. Tait, and the secretary, Mr R. English.