Rapid Growth Of School Emphasises Need For Planning Says Report To Householders

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 38, 16 April 1948, Page 5

Rapid Growth Of School Emphasises Need For Planning Says Report To Householders

To alleviate the administration task and to assist in solving the accommodation problem, the committee has made the following recommendations to the Auckland Educa- . tion Board: — The establishment of a permanent school at Ohope up to Standard. 4. At a recent conference a site, eminently suitable, was decided upon. It is expected that the Board’s architect will shortly inspect the site, preparatory to drawing plans for the new school. “While on the subject of Ohope,” JMr Wilson continued, “I should like to record here the committee’s appreciation of the sacrifice made by * the Presbyterian Church authorities in allowing us the use of their hall at no small inconvenience to them.selves.” - The purchase of a site for a new Primary School. This has been approved by the Department and the Board has recommended that a block be erected thereon. The- establishment of a High School at Whakatane to be housed in the present Secondary and Primary School buildings. The roll of the Secondary department is almost sufficient to warrant this and the matter is now under consideration by the Board. In his last report, Mr Wilson said he had referred' to a proposal to acquire certain land in Goulstone Road opposite the school for the purpose of an agricultural plot. The completion of this proposal was delayed for several reasons but the Education Board was now reaching finality regarding the acquisition of the area.

Finances in Credit In May, 1946, the committee’s funds were very low and it was un—’abTeTto meet its committments for fuel. The Board was advised and a special grant was made to ease the At February 29, 1948, the BalMce Sheet disclosed a credit "balance in the bank of £169. Income for incidental expenses for the past year amounted to £4ll. Main items of ; expenditure were: Repairs and improvements £351; fuel and lighting £55; cleaning materials £44; water £45; books and stationery £53. Visiting Committees “Each month, two members of the committee have visited the school for the- purpose of meeting the staff and discussing their requirements with them,” Mr Wilson said. “The members of my committee wish to thank the headmaster and his staff for their loyalty and co-operation and for the many occasions on which they have enjoyed their hospitality. The Parent-Teacher Association has been most active in its efforts'to prowide amenities for the school and grateful thanks are due for its ac-

“When it is realised that the school has 34 teachers and 910 pupils including the Ohope Side School and a class at the Public Hospital, it is obvious that its administration is a task beyond the capacity of one man. The rapid growth of the three departments—Secondary, Primary and Infant—and the resulting necessity of further accommodation brings into relief the question of planning for the future,” said Mr J. Wilson, retiring school committee chairman in his biennial report to the- Householders’ meeting at Whakatane on Wednesday night.

tion in raising funds for the provision of a film projector and other articles. “It is with no small measure of regret,”) he concluded, “that I announce my retirement from the committee and that of Messrs. Lysaght, Paterson, Armstrong, Dainton, Whittaker, Clark and Mahy. Each of these members has given faithful service to the school and I wish to place on record my grateful thanks for the loyal support I have had from them. Their records of service are: Mr Patterson, 14 years; Mr Lysaght, 12 years; Mr Armstrong, 8 years; Mr Dainton, 6 years; Mr Clark, 6 years; Mr Whittaker, 6 years; Mr Mahy, 2 years.