FAST GROWTH OF TWO SCHOOLS OVER PAST SIX YEARS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 24, 21 April 1950, Page 5

FAST GROWTH OF TWO SCHOOLS OVER PAST SIX YEARS

The amazing growth of the Whakatane Primary and High Schools during the past six years was shown in figures produced by the chairman, Mr L. D. Lovelock, in his annual report presented to the annual meeting of the Whakatane School Committee. From May 1 1945 up to the present the roll of the primary’school has increased from 527 to 669 while the high school has -grown from a mere 177 to the present day figure of 339. For the intervening years the figures are: 1946 primary school 521, secondary school 225; 1947 600, 245; 1938 617, 291; 1949 616, 396. Although the primary school has ■ grown steadily the secondary department has shown the fastest growth. Proclamation Annulled Referring to the growth of th e school Mr Lovelock said that because of the rapid development of both the Primary and Secondary Schools the committee made representations to the Auckland Education Board for the establishment of a post primary school on the present site and for the erection of a •new primary school in Landing Road. Steps were taken under the provisions of the Public Works Act to acquire the site but the proclamation was annulled, with the result that other land had to be found. In view of the rapid growth of the primary school and the fact that the roll was over 600 the Education Board approved the establishment of two primary schools. ■One to be centrally situated on property between McAlister Street and McGarvey’s Road and the other in the vicinity of Bridge Street. Each school to have a starting roll of over 300. “The committee has received the fullest assurance from the Auckland Education Board that Whakatane’s needs for school buildings will receive the highest, priority and that everything possible will be done to relieve the present overcrowded classrooms.” The changeover to a post primary school had made the construction of the new primary schools, imperative, at the earliest possible date. The committee did not like prefabricated huts, „„but, the interim period before the / completion of new buildings, has to be met, and prefabricated huts were the only means of temporarily accommodating the increased numbers of pupils, Mr Lovelock said. Given Assurance The board had given an assurance that the prefabs would be removed as soon as new permanent buildings were erected. “We do not want a repetition the present cookery and woodwork rooms,” he added.

Three New Faces On School Committee

Six of the sitting members who sought re-election were elected* to the new Whakatane Primary School Committee at a meeting of householders on Wednesday flight. These included two women members. There are nine on the committee. A new member, Mr K. E. Francis, was elected chairman while the old secretary, Mr J. H. Duthie, was re-elected to that post. Those elected:— v

Frederick .G. Cutler, Jean D. Dallas, James H. Duthie, Te Hira Ferguson, Kenneth E. Francis, William C. Jenkin, Arthur L. Kilgour, Bruce A. Watts, Margaret S. Wilson. Teachers Appointed

Two additional appointments to schools in the Whakatane district have been confirmed by the Auckland Education Board. Miss E. E. Williamson has been appointed as infant mistress to the Awakeri School and Miss N. J. Watson to the Whakatane High School. >