Changed Distribution Of Pupils Sought

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31001, 5 March 1966, Page 16

Changed Distribution Of Pupils Sought

Better distribution of secondary pupils in Christchurch—numerically and in ability—is wanted by the Hagley High School board of governors. Although it delayed formal action until the Secondary Schools’ Council reports on the proposal for a new school in the north-west in 1969, most members plainly considered a new school,unnecessary.

The discussion arose from Hagley having a small sixth form, moved to criticism of “certain schools skimming the intellectual c.rea m,” continued with allegations that “selective school s” tended to subsist on “social status,” brought in the singlesex versus co-educa-tion argument, and then came back to the new school proposal.

The headmaster (Mr T. R Richards) in his monthly report said: “I regret that only 6 per cent of my roll (of more than 1200) is in the sixth form. But as long as the present policy and pattern of enrolments persists, we shall have the same lack of numbers in the sixth form. I hope that our success in the University Scholarship examination, where four out of our five candidates (from an upper sixth of 19) passed with credit, will have an effect on parental thinking in the district.” “Go Where You Please”

“The success of a school depends largely on its sixth form,” Mr Richards said. ' Invited to elaborate on his “policy” contention, Mr Richards said it was: “Go where you please.” Christchurch was the only major centre without some form of zoning. The result was that schools which had excess applications selected a big proportion of academic ability. “Out of. say, 350, they take 175 of the best.” he said. “This has been going on for years,” said Mr F. H. Dephoff. Mr J. G. Johnston asked whether enticement of those with School Certificate into employment drained off potential sixth formers.—“ Not greatly,” said Mr Richards. “Wouldn’t it be logical for

the Secondary Schools’ Council to reopen this matter?” asked Mr R. Jones. “I’m sure a formula could be devised. While schools like the Christchurch Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools and Cashmere are of a selective character, this school will suffer.” The chairman (Mr H. R Peers), who represents the board on the council, said it had never “soft-pedalled” this issue but neither had it ever reached a wholly satisfactory solution. The new school in 1969 was mentioned. Mr Richards said its type and site depended on what size the Eductaion Department wanted existing schools to “go to or remain at.” There were now at least five with more than 1000 pupils. “Mistakes Made” “Mistakes have been made in the past.” said Mr Richards. “When Hillmorton was built there was no need for it. West and Technical rolls were going down, Riccarton could have taken more, and Mairehau had room. Now Cashmere, Hagley, Hillmorton, and Riccarton, plus the Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, all draw many pupils from one large area whereas Linwood, for instance, has a big residential district of its own. Why Cashmere was built so far west I’ll never know. Because their numbers were falling Technical and West merged to become Hagley.”

Mr Richards said modern thinking was toward co-educa-tional schools. There was a good deal of prejudice arising from the old English idea that the grammar school gave social status. “Because these schools select those of high 1.Q., they have more sixth forms and more highly-graded teachers,” said Mr Richards. Social Status

“Some parents align themselves and their children on alleged social status,” said Mr C. R. Russell. “The schools thus able to skim the

cream would like to call themselves colleges. It is social climbing fostered by the schools, their boards, and old pupils. It’s time we put a stop to it. As far as possible all schools should have equality in numbers and abilities.” Mr Dephoff asked why, when there was co-education in kindergarten, primary and intermediate school, teachers’ college, and university, there were single-sex secondary schools.

Amid laughter, Mr R. J. Burness asked whether boys’ high schools feared the change of public opinion would change them to co-edu-cational schools. Mr Russell said he had forgotten to say that the merging West and Technical boards were told there was already one high school too many in Christchurch. Why was another wanted? All the matters raised were pooled in general discussion during which there was frequent reference to newspaper reports of various meetings. When a conflict of information arose about this week’s Christchurch Boys’ High School board discussion on the new school, Mr Richards said: “I read ‘The Press’ and it has an entirely different picture.”