New School for Girls

Between 500 and 600 girls will receive their secondary education at the new Girls' High School in Gladstone Road when the building is completed. It is expected that three of the blocks will be available for the start of 1955's first term, and the balance should be ready by the end of that year.

From Gladstone Road, the public is looking at the south, or rear, end of the project, which faces on to Asquith Street, off Aberdeen Road, to the north.

Although there have been some delays in the supply of essential materials, good progress has been made by the contractor, Mr R. H. Taylor, who has between 30 and 40 men on the job. Our photos show stages of construction in mid-June.

Mr Taylor, the contractor, discusses a point with Mr R. Patterson, the Ministry of Works building overseer on the job (nearest camera).

A perspective drawing of the project, looking from the north. Gladstone Road is beyond the buildings, and the viewpoint of the artist is not far from the present girls' hostel in Stanley Road.

The present High School, which will eventually become a school for boys only.

An earlier view of the project taken from Ayton House balcony in May.

Concrete from modern mixer is delivered direct into tractor scoop.

Carpenters at work erecting wall sections. A large proportion of the construction work is prefabricated. Workmen are impressed with the high standards required by specifications.

This corridor, 254 feet long, is at rear of one of the main blocks of classrooms, providing access to rooms on right and to locker rooms on left. Like most new secondary schools this one will include complete self-contained flat in home science department, in which girls learn modern methods of conducting a home.

Each classroom has a wall to the north made up almost entirely of windows, ensuring the maximum of sun and air in the room.

On days when there is no sun, classrooms will be heated by the latest water radiators thermostatically controlled to ensure that when the temperature goes down, the heat comes on.

Lockers, cupboards, and special fittings have meant the building of thousands of pounds worth of joinery.

A team of painters is busy on the interior decoration.

Plumbers installing one of the radiators.

Carpenters at work on the geography room fittings.

Modern machinery on the site is most necessary. A workman slicing 4 × 2 timber into lengths.

Roof sections are carried about by tractor.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 2 : July 8, 1954

New School for Girls