ISLAND BAY SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 10

ISLAND BAY SCHOOL

Sir, —Recently a very large public meeting was held at Island Bay, to discuss the condition of over-crowding existing at the local State school. A full report of the meeting appeared in the columns of your influential journal. Mr. J. J. Clark, a member of the Education Board, gave a clear outline of the policy of the board and of its proposals concerning the difficulties which admittedly exist at Island Bay. His short speech was pithy and full of facts. He stated that the Government had laid it down that a school should not exceed 700. Island Bay State school had reached that number,’therefore the board proposed to build a new school on the western side on up-to-date lines The board was also endeavouring to secure land at Happy Valley and at Houghton Bay, with a view to building schools there at some future date. Which hard facts bring us to the question: “What is to lie done with the present school ?” As will be seen, it in evident that here, we come to the point where the board and the local school committee, each working for the benefit of the Bay, take different tracks. The residents and the public must give the two propositions the consideration which they demand. Briefly, let me outline them as I understand them. In the first place, the school committee, with an intinmte knowledge of the school building, is convinced that the rooms are so constructed as not to be favourable to the children's health. That opinion is supported by various members of the Board. Light to the rooms is admitted so poorly that on dark days, the children can barely see to do their work. The rooms are either draughty or stuffy, due to the faulty means of ventilation. If ventilation and lighting are wrong, then the very bases of good health and clear vision are attacked. There is no exaggeration in these statements. They are "plain facts. So important are they and so endorsed by medical authorities that the Government build their new schools on lines which entirely eliminate the faults, so glaring in this and others of the' same type. Maximum of light and air, with minimum of draught and glare is the principle they work on. On the. top of these serious faults, the school is faced with the Over-crowding question As a relief from that, the _ board offers a church room nearby. Now. what is the committee's proposition, arrived at, not hurriedly, but after lengthy consideration? Adjacent to the school is the ground known as Victory Park. It has been levelled. It is high and dry and is an infinitely better situation for a school than the present.one, which is in a hollow. The Minister of Education readilv agreed that this, was so. The committee bearing in mind the need for economy, do not suggest that a new school be erected at once, but they do suggest that the correct and business-like thing to do, is to build two rooms on Victory Park site on up-to-date lines, which would be a nucleus for a new school. The two rooms would relieve the immediate congestion and a definite step would thus be taken to re. place the present school. The committee is aware that by the erection of those rooms, the condition of lighting and ventilation existing in tho present school will not be overcome. They are aware that the splendid lessons on the health of the child, as taught by the Government Department of Health, could not bo put into practice. But, admitting these facts the members arc convinced that no sound argument can possibly he urged against their carefully reached decision. That, briefly, is the committee’s proposition. Now for the Department's, as stated bv Mr. Clark. The school has reached the limit of 700, therefore purchase land and build another school on the western side. Mark you, that in face of the cry for eeonomv. Two schools for Islana Bay. when ‘their own figures show that it may be ten years or twenty before the second is required. This , certainly is «o when it is remembered that schools in ’Houghton Bay and Happy Valley are being spoken of. The committee cannot umh'rtsand the reasoning of the board, which is quite prepared to build for what will bo required in ten or more years and resolutely turns a dear ear on what is needed now! . Build the new school on the western side and the nrosent school is left as it is with all its faults, and the children will be forced to work hr had light and breathe baa air If all the children could be accommodated in this now school, then wo have no nrviiment. But. the present school will remain the big school. The. committee further considers that in view or the schools in tho two bays one largp up-to-date school would supply all needs of Island Bay for all time. The residential limitations of the bay. are such ns. tn rive . strcpgHi to this opinion. With 01 1 due deference the committee recommend to the board that they 'to first f’lin-xs firet. and attend to urgent matters first. Tho school is the first and urgent matter and no offer of a church room or the building of a second school will improve it. The need is Tong overrive end if Dm western school is proceeded with, ’t mar be indefinitely overdue.—l am. etc., COMMITTEEMAN. November 26.