SETTLEMENT AT HAREWOOD

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24899, 12 June 1946, Page 6

SETTLEMENT AT HAREWOOD

TEMPORARY SCHOOL APPROVED Community centre activities A temporary school will soon tie established in a former canteen buildtag of the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the Harewood transit homing settlement, according to advice received yesterday from the Director of Education (Dr. C. E. Beeby). For some time the Tenanta’ Association has been urging this step through the Canterbury Education Board. A letter has been sent to the Mini*, ter ot Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) stating that It was realised that a relieving teacher would probably be appointed at first, but the Tenants’ Association was anxious to obtain the permanent services of a married teacher (accommodation for whom had been promised by the Christchurch City Council), whose wife would be able to co-operate with him In developing community centre activities in the settlement. In representations for the establishment of a school it was stated that, with 108 families in residence, there were nearly 200 children of all ages in the settlement. These included 76 of school age and 56 aged two to five years. The Harewood School was more than a mile away, and there Were difficulties for the many young children in reaching this school. Although tenants would move away as houses became available, It was expected that there would be a need for the settlement for a long time, and a continuing need for a school. Although many tenants moved in some time ago, the conversion of the last of the fiats was completed by the City Council yesterday The tenants will arrive immediately and all the flats will be occupied when an official inspection is made on Saturday morntag. Already the residents have organised their association and a news bulletin is published regularly. Parents combined to make toys for a play centre, which opened a fortnight ago ano which is attended by more than 30 children aged two to five years on two afternoons a week. It la staffed by mothers, and is receiving help from the Christchurch Play Centres’ Association. It is hoped to establish soon a kindergarten and creche. Representatives of the Plunket Society recently visited the settlement and an auxiliary committee was formed, which will probably be attached to the Fendalton branch of the society.

Pictures are screened once a week ard arrangements are being made for lectures under the auspices of the Workers’ Educational Association. In the summer it is hoped to make use of the sports facilities available.