CAMBRIDGE SCHOOLS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21190, 13 August 1940, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE SCHOOLS

MORE ACCOMMODATION DISCUSSED WITH MINISTER (Special to Times.) CAMBRIDGE, Monday On his way through Cambridge in the course of a visit to the Rotorua and Raglan districts, the opportunity was taken by a deputation from the Cambridge School Committee to discuss with the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, the matter of more accommodation at the local schools. For a considerable time the committee has been pressing for an intermediate school, by the enlarging of the present secondary department. This has now become all the more urgent to cater for the children of workmen employed on the Karapiro power scheme. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr A. N. Macky, ward member of the Education Board, consisted of Messrs L. A. Potts (chairman), W. R. Garrard, H. E. Amyes, and the headmaster (Mr T. Kane). Mr Potts said he understood that within the next six months 100 married men’s quarters would be erected at Karapiro, and there would be 100 to 150 children. Every six months, 100 additional married men’s huts would be erected. The Cambridge Primary School was a very old one. There were 403 pupils in nine rooms, and ten teachers, two being probationers.

Classes Average 45

The chairman mentioned that a site had been purchased for a consolidated school, but it was appreciated that a new building was out of the question for the present. However, an intermediate school at the existing secondary department would help in the meantime. The pupils from standards 5 and 6, who went to the intermediate school, would make room for additional pupils at the primary department.

The headmaster stated that the present roll of 403 would be certain to rise to 420 in the third term, and the average size of the classes was 45. There was no room for more pupils. An intermediate school would remove about 100 of the present primary pupils. Mr Amyes mentioned that plans had already been prepared for additions to the secondary department. After the Minister had inspected the schools he stated that he would consider the position. He agreed that as a result of the visit to Cambridge he was equipped to deal with the matter when it was referred to him by the board.