Marist Brothers’ School, Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 11, 25 March 1925, Page 29

Marist Brothers’ School, Timaru

A MODEL BUILDING.

Front View, facing North. Photo by Father Ginisty,

The loss by fire several months ago of the old building in which many local residents had passed their primary school days was naturally regarded as a calamity by parents and those concerned in its direction (says the Timaru Herald). Phoenix like, there has arisen from the ashes of the old school, a brick edifice that is in every respect a model school. In its well ventilated and sunny class rooms work will be carried out under the most favorable conditions, and little more incentive to "excel in good works" —the exhortation which stands out in bold lettering on the front of the'building, should be desired or needed by the pupils. Entering a spacious corridor running the entire length on the south side of the building the visitor's attention is immediately drawn to the ventilator windows, placed i seven feet up the walls on either side and " running to the height of the ceiling. Three class rooms open on to the corridor on the ' left-hand side, and an inspection reveals a unique system of ventilation obtained in connection with the ample overhead ventilation in the corridor. 'With the building running east and west, each class room faces north, large double doors giving separate egress to a well-grassed two-acre playground. The windows with which each room is plentifully supplied are ingeniously arranged to open with a swinging action of the hand. They can be adjusted to any angle. Similar windows on the other side of the room carry off the impure air high above the heads of the pupils and thus through the corridor windows. Known as the 1 cross-ventilation system this method, the last thing in schoolroom ventilation, is now being generally adopted, and with the wide doors 5 opening directly into the playground, "tide advantages of an open-air school are obtained.

Each of the three class rooms will accommodate 65 scholars, and with a present roll of 130, ample provision has been made for future years. In addition, the building has been constructed so that an extra storey can be added if required. A hot water heating system worked from a boiler in the basement will be employed in the winter months to keep the atmosphere at an even temperature, and with the overhead displacement of impure air, further assisted by high foundations and underneath ventilation, conditions distinctly favorable for alert and healthy mentality should prevail. In the furnishings adopted health, considerations have again been kept in view.

In the junior class rooms „ e dual desks will give ample room to each pupil, while senior 1 pupils will be provided with single desks. The seats have, been specially constructed so' j as to ensure a correct sitting posture, while 'all noise attendant upon a class taking their seats will be obviated by silent tip-up seats. Blackboards three feet wide are built into the walls on three sides of the rooms, specially imported blackboard linoleum being used for this purpose. The teacher's desk " is, placed upon an elevated platform at the end of the room and an uninterrupted view'of the class is obtained. A special supply of maps, charts, globes, and other school apparatus has also been ordered from England and will arrive before the school is opened. The building has been erected in brick and plaster and no expense has been spared,to provide hygienic conditions for the children, as can be observed by the porcelain wash basin and bubble drinking fountain provided for their use at the entrance porch. Another addition to the school since the fire, .and one that will no doubt meet with the hearty approval of the public is a large fives court. With a large playing area adjoining,"; in addition to the school playground, the school is indeed fortunately placed, and in'happy contrast to the conditions prevailing in past years. •'' .->

The dome of the church is shown in the background, and St. Patrick's Hall on left. ' ; i V ; " Photo by Father Ginisty, S.M.

The school has been erected by Messrs. Hall Bros., building contractors, and the excellent work in it is a testimonial to their skill and thoroughness in building construction. / .