No_1_May_and_June__1953 — Page 37

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NEW PEAK SCHOOL

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PRIMARY schooling is probably where else in the world, then the

the most important individual organisation responsible is to be branch of education, for no matter congratulated on its foresight and how important we may consider upon the service that it renders to secondary and college institutions, the community. it is the primary school which

The architect's perspective drawing

of the new school from Plantation Road, with the main buildings flanking the large playground. The dining room wing is on the right and the handicraft rooms, below which are the changing rooms, on the left.

caters to the greatest percentage Island for the education of Euro- The inadequate facilities on the of youngsters and provides the basic learning that is the most pean children of primary school potent force against illiteracy.

age has been a matter of growing concern, but Government has not The situation in the Colony, in been in a position to remedy the any of

the systems-primary, situation while there is such a secondary or university, is far large number of Chinese children ary from being satisfactory; apart in the Colony unable to secure the from the present shortage of pro- admission to schools. perly qualified teachers, there is

looted or otherwise made un- inhabitable.

Aware of this situation, a num-

education given entirely in English language.

The Architectural Office of the Public the question, of more direct con-

Works Department pre- cern to us, of the lack of sufficient ber of leading European business pared the plans for the building, suitable accommodation. This concerns offered to donate the which will provide for the educa- position has been largely caused necessary funds for the construc- tion of 300 children, and will in-

a suitable building, if by the great influx of refugees tion of

clude among other features, nine general classrooms, a handiwork from the north during the post- Government would contribute an

room, a biology room, a combined war years, at a time when so appropriate site. Government ac- many buildings were destroyed, cepted the offer and donated the with a stage capable of being con- assembly hall and gymnasium site of the old Peak Club at verted into a music room, a dining Plunketts Road. The happy solu- hall and kitchen, a covered play- tion to the problem, resulting from ground, staff rooms, a medical in- Any proposition then, which is the co-operation between a public- spection room, an office, and care- designed to alleviate this shortage spirited and generous business of school accommodation, especial- community and an enlightened

taker's quarters. The maximum ly in the primary system, is to be Government, makes possible the area of playing field and play- welcomed. When

ground is also incorporated in the the proposal building of a new junior English concerns

design. a school of the most school on the Peak. The schoo! modern type, the design of which will be open to all children in that may be favourably compared to buildings being constructed any

district from 7 to 11 years of age, who are able to profit from prim-

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The shortage of Government schools serving the Peak district dictated the choice of the site, and