THE FITZROY SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1921, Page 4

THE FITZROY SCHOOL.

MORE ACCOMMODATION WANTED.

FURTHER ACTION TAKEN. The need for more accommodation at the Fitzroy School was again emphasised by several speakers at a meeting of the Fitzroy Ratepayers’ Association on Saturday night, when it was decided to communicate further with the education department urging the erection of an infant room to form the nucleus of a new school.

The chairman of the association (Mr. R. L. Parkin) said the overcrowded state of the school sti]] continued, but he understood the Education Board had been successful in securing an increased grant for the renovation of the gymnasium as a class-room. Even this, however, could not do away with the overcrowding, and he had urged upon the board that more accommodation was necessary and that the use of the gymnasium should be only a temporarymeasure. He understood that the board had emphasised this matter in communication with the department. Mr. O. Johnson (headmaster) said he intended to put about 100 children into the gymnasium when that building was fitted* up. Even this would not relieve the overcrowding, however, as on a basis of 12 square feet of space per child the gymnasium only provided room for 80. The number would probably be more than 100 next year and the problem of providing room was a difficult one. With the advent of fine weather the children, of course, could be taught in the open air more, and it was also hoped that after the school fete in November a sun shelter would be erected which would provide for some of the children.

During the ensuing discussion it was pointed out that the gymnasium was used by children who brought their lunches to school, and when this was turned into a class-room no accommodation would be available for the lunch hour. One member considered that the gymnasium, being of galvanised iron, was not at all suitable for children in the hot summer months, especially in view of the fact that about 100 would have to be accommodated in the building. The meeting approved of a letter drawn up by the executive, to be forwarded to the Minister of (Education urging that the use of the gymnasium should be considered only a temporary expedient, and not a solution of the difficulty. The department will be asked to erect a building to accommodate the infant department which would form the nucleus of a new school, the present building being old and unsuitably situated as regards drainage. The executive does not agree with the Minister’s opinion that the prevalence of infectious diseases is due to post-war conditions, and points out that even if this were so overcrowding will not tend to minimise the danger. The letter concluded by stating that there is a strong feeling in the district, the parents considering the health of the children of paramount importance.