OUT OF TOWN.

Shannon News, 28 October 1927, Page 3

OUT OF TOWN.

SCHOOLS IN THE SUBURBS. . an “OPEN AIR” PROJECT. Wellington is fairly rich In educational establishments, but not all ot them can claim congenial environment, tiat most necessary of attributes in an age which values it above heredity. It is generally recognised that Wellington’s resident population is being forced out of town, and in natural sequence is the fact that the schools must follow. More than one has already left the murk of the city behind and sought suburban breathing space, with increased facilities for healthy recreation and modern working conditions. One of these ,is Chilton House. Until last March the whole of the school life was centred at the residence on The Terrace, but the present principal, Mrs Agnes Ward, recently bough., fhe late Mr Richard Keene’s property at Island Bay, and boarders’ quarters were transferred there. This lias meant their dailv transport to the city for school work, a plan almost to oe regretted considering the .delightful surroundings of the house at the Bay, the influence of which is entirely missed by day scholars and partly by the boarders when' they are in town. Having decided that, pupils should share alike in the benefits of. the Bay property, Mrs Ward is considering the idea of building an. open air school within the five acres of grounds at Island Bay, to accommodate all the scholars on the roll. The school on The Terrace would then be closed except for a junior department, but junior boarders would be provided for at the Bay and not hai e to coiue to town. The plan was unfolded to several gentlemen in sympathy with the open air school scheme when they visited the hostel/on Saturday, and were shown the proposed site by Mrs Ward. The Hon. G. M. Thomson, the Hon. -I. B. Gow, the Hon. J. Macgregor, and the Hon. J. A. Ilanan were present, and alike in their interest are Sir Robert Stout, the Hon. Mr Earnshaw,, and Sir Truby King, who unfortunately could not join the others. The house itself is most comfortably built with delightful views from sunny rooms, and every fitting (such as hot and cold showers) for the girls’ needs and comfort —and they evidently appreciate it, for one hears whispers of boarders wanting to return in the holidays. to enjoy the swimming and other delights which the situation oilers! The house also lends itself to expansion into another story with an open air cubicle dormitory, but the open air school itself is the most attractive proposal of all, aid will be first considered. THE SUGGESTED SITE.

The site picked out is on a slope above the house, high up and with an outlook to the horizon, yet sheltered from even the worst southerlies Cook Strait can produce. If erected, the ouilding will have two sets of doors folding back to leave a large assembly' nail and a lower floor planned for the .eaching of housecraft and the provision jf a cafetaria for day scholars. The •jeacli for knowledge should progress apace in such an atmosphere, which is unique in that it provides country and seaside benefits within 30 minutes’ tram ride of city life. All members of Saturday’s inspection party were impressed with the possibil. .ties of the property. There is room for .ennis courts with natural seating aclommodation under the pine trees for spectators, and more than ample spaqe .or developments in kitchen and flower gardens, but perhaps the safe swimming vhich Island Bay beach provides is the greatest attraction to both pupils and ..heir parents, for it is quite an unusual asset for a school to have “just, at its jack door.’’ Whether or no the scaratliing has anything to do withit, the aostel has a clean bill of health, the at.endance being DO per cent. The progress of the open air school scheme will no doubt be watched with nterest by' parents and educational authorities, for besides being the first n Wellington, the • school will realise jnc of the principles of modern educa.ion, that a healthy, happy environment s necessary for the best mental develjpment of the child, and it will also be reeled on what Mr Ilanan described on ■Saturday- as “the most charming and .uitable site iir Wellington for a cliool.” —Post.