OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 889, 5 February 1930, Page 11

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS

ARCHITECT REPORTS TO BOARD “Having been the guest of the Canterbury Education Board, I feel a tittle diffident about submitting a candid opinion of the school buildings erected there, but as it is a question of type only, any remarks made should be considered in the light of being a purely personal opinion based on a study of the whole subject. Frankness should, not be mistaken for ciisparagement,” In these terms Mr. A. B. Miller, architect to the Auckland Education Board, introduced his report on the question of open-air schools, at a meeting of the board held this morning. In his report, Mr. Miller stated that he was given to understand that the Fendalton type of school was not intended to be erected in the future, a modified plan as carried out at Linwood being preferred. In common with other districts, the old wooden primary school buildings in Christchurch were particularly antiquated and unsuitable and it could easily be understood how the Fendalton type had by so great a comparison seemed to be the last word in school planning. However, in practice, it had been found that modifications had become necessary. In the Linwood type, the ,lights above the blackboard had been omitted and a verandah had been placed at the back of the room to offset to some extent the glare facing the teacher and to stop the sun from playing directly on the backs and heads of the children. The latter type is, in mv opinion the best of this class of building, but it still retains features which I consider undesirable. The glare facing the teacher is still apparent. It cannot be adapted to suit any site The children’s coats are still hung immediately above seats provided for the children’s use. In large schools, the headmaster has not the same opportunity for control. The maintenance such as painting, attention to fittings, ana general upkeep is heavier,” continued the report.

The site must be protected from the elements, in spite of what has been sam to the contrary,” said Mr. Miller. “It is an excellent report, and I feel it was money well spent in sending the arcTutect down there. A copy could well he sent to Canterbury,” said Mr A. Burns, in moving the “adoption of the report.