ISLAND BAY SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 258, 19 July 1918, Page 9

ISLAND BAY SCHOOL

PRESSURE ON ACCOMMODATION. The Island .Day School Committee has written to the j..ducation Hoard as follows:— "We are going to 'he hard put to for .room in our school.- If may be thought that tilings generally are niinormnl, and that the .population of' Welling;,... mid suburbs has been affected own,, w its being the centre for the iiiowilient ot our soldier forces. My committee have taken the matter intu' consideration, but can find no grounds on which to use this argument as iar as our suburb is concerned -at any rate.' Now, all our rooms are full—horn (ill to 70 in a room, and up to between" 80 .and 90 in others. We ask for ami 1 expect relief. You may point out 'that we have a science room only occupied when'a class.is being so instructed. That is so, aud that is all it can be used for, and we are not going .to have tnal room changed to anything, else without waking up our suburb to; what is being done, if attempted. .Years before this war, a farsighted headmaster, saw that science had n place even iu a. State school, and with local help and your subsidy .£BO was spent on fitting up the.room, and tne war has taugnt us that. that master was on .the'.right track. i ' "Full as the school is, 'room will shortly have to bo found for at least thirty more children from the Presbyterian Hoi'nc for Orphan Girls, which is being established in Island Bay. We don't want to turn them away, but the committee will see .to it that an end as far. ,'is our school is concerned, will be put to this unhealthy over-crowding, anil, that even the Department cannot overstep regulations. "We believe tnat, your.board is doing its best under adverse circumstances, and we know full well you are up against a Government that has Httlo time for matters- educational as regards children.. ... "I notice that Sir James Allen .is going to look into the matter of why there are so many military rejects or unfits, and he will have no difficulty in getting one reason, and that is overcrowded classrooms and no play-grounds for' tho youth of to-day or for years past "If you'can not do anything don't be afraid to say so plainly,- then we will get busy indeed. We ask that your board will take the matter. up now, and please let us know early what you can do, and whether we can help you either by deputation, propaganda or any other force. We are ready and right willing, but for the children's sake do something quickly?'