PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4451, 9 August 1922, Page 1

PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL.

ESTABLISHMENT AT NGATEA. FAVOURABLE RECOMMENDATION. Further information with regard to the proposed establishment of a district high school at Ngatea was contained in a letter from the Education Board to the Director of Education. A copy of the letter was sent to the Ngatea School Committee apd was read at Monday’s meeting. The letter stated : “Application has been made to the Department for authority to establish a district high school at Ngatea from the beginning of 1 next year. The list of guarantees includes fifteen already qualified and eighteen who are now in Standard VI. The Board understands that the Council of Education at its last meeting resolved to favourably recommend the establishment of a district high school at Ngatea. This will necessitate the erection of an additional classroom to the main school building to accommodate the secondary pupils. You will remember that the residents proposed tp devote the sum of £470, raised for a war memorial, towards the erection of a building for a high school "An additional room is also necessary for the accommodation of primary pupils since the present school i? greatly overcrowded. Application for a grant for such work is at present before Parliament. Under all these circumstances it is necessary that the present school site should be enlarged. I am therefore directed to ask you that you will approve of the reservation by tne Auckland Land Board of an area 'of three and a-half. acres adjoining the present school site. The reservation of an additional area as a. site for the residence is specially urgent.’’ Mr Clare took it that the high school would be an addition to the present school. The chairman thought that the letter read that the Board proposed putting two additions, one for the secondary department and another for the primary pupils. What the committe'e were asking for was a separate building for the high school. Personally, he thought it would be better if botl depart were all in one building.

Mr Walton agreed that one decent building was better than two or three. Mr Clare said it being a memorial they required something of a permanent nature. He would like to see the front part of the school in brick. Mr Walton said it depended on the interpretation of .the word “addition.’’ Even if the Board spent only the money the local memorial committee donated he would be satisfied. The committee agreed that it would be satisfied if they got the high school with a good teacher.