ARCHERFIELD SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENTS TO PREMISES. A very pleasant function was held at the Archerfield School (of which the lady principal is Mrs NisbetJ yesterday afternoon, to mark the occasion of tho opening of the new portion of tho premises. Extensive alterations have been made by Mrs Nisbcta feature being the introduction of open-air classrooms tor tho teaching of children, and open-air sleeping balconies for boarders. On tho ground-floor thero is a large classroom with one side that can be thrown right open to tho air, and oil tho other two sides theio are largo windows, which can be opened outwards. Adjoining this classroom there is a smaller room, which is fitted up for tho teaching of science, and by means of doors and windows it is possible to open up the greater part of two of tho outer walls of this room. A third classroom is also provided, and one side is entirely open. This will invariably bo used for teaching purposes in normal weather, and, as the school numbers increase, it umbo found.advisable to fit this with folding glass doors similar to tho other classroom. The remaining portion of this floor is taken up with very complete dressing rooms nd lavatory accommodation. Tho wholo of the upper floor is devoted to sleeping balconies. A wide space 11111s the wholo length of tlic building, and it is here that the scholars will sleep. 1110 front tho balcony is closed up for three feet, and above this it is open to the eaves, with wire-nettin"-stretched to keep out birds, etc. The eaves of tho building are made very deep, -so it will be impossible for any rain to drive in. Running along behind the balcony aro the dressing cubicles. These arc partitioned off for each girl, and have cross dwarf walls, and with a curtain across the front, so'that in each one there is absolute privacy. These cubicles are made big enough to take a bed, so that it will bo possible in exceptionally bad weather to draw tho beds into them. Eaoh cubicle is fitted with a large," roomy wardrobo and linen cupboard, and also a smalb. folding table. A staxcase connects the balcony with the bath rooms and lavatories. and a covcred-in corridor connects this building with the older portion of the school. The rooms and balconies are lit with, electricity, and it is proposed to install some gas heaters in the classrooms. The opening function was very largely attended, a great, many ladies being present. Professor Ilewitson read a passage from tho Scriptures, and the Rev. Graham. H. Balfour, who presided, engaged in prayer. Dr Truby King spoke at groat length. Ho oxpressed aprireciation of the way in which Mrs Nisbet had been supported 011 all hands in her effort to provide aji up-to-date school, and paid a compliment to the architect (Mr Mandeno) and the contractor (Mr Crawford) for tho way in which they had carried out their duties. Mrs Nisbet had not only brought the premises up to date, but had gone so far as to anticipate tho future. So far as his knowledge wont what had been effected for the wellbeing and comfort of the girls transcended anything which has so far been attempted in tho dominion, and no pains had been spared to mako the quarters beautiful and attractive as well. Clear vision, deep conviction, and great public spirit had been needed to induce anyone to enter on such a project at a time when the difficulties to bo overcome- in carrying out progressive works of any kind were almost insuperable. However, Mrs Nisbet had all the courage and qualifications needed, and 110 believed that the war had actually proved an incentive, because it had deepened her realisation of tho fact that there was something radically wrong in the way in which modern civilisation had dealt with tho health and unbringing of school girls. If the matter were investigated it would bo found that, while' young men showed more than 50 per cent, of inefTicients from a military point of view, young women had a far higher rate of physical inefficiency, which was a matter of the greatest importance to the race. Dr King referred to the importance of studying the health and fitness of school girls, and touched upon tho desirableness of cultivating and developing domestic habits and love of home-life. The general (tendency at school had been to centre attention too exclusively on training tho intellect to the neglect of tho requirements of tho body 011 the one hand and of tho character and moral nature and love of homelife on tho other. Dr King went o.n tp speak of what had been done by Mrs Nisbet to ensure the proper growth and physical wellbeing of her pupils. He emphasised tho transcendent, importance of ensuring pure, cool air day and night, besides giving plenty of daily outdoor exercise and exposure to the elements. He contrasted this with tho common fallaey that a minimum of time spent in gymnastics could take tho place of ample time spent in tho open air. He specially dwelt on the importance of stimulation of the skin and consequent toning up of the muscles and all tho bodily organs. Free exposure of the skin to the open air, and tho daily cold bath, without which robust health and proper growth wore not to be cxpected either in the case of boys or girls. Indeed it was insisted that bodily health and fitness were of even greater importance, both as regards tho individual and from tho national and racial point of view, in tho case of girls than in the case of boys. He mentioned that Mrs "Nisbet proposed to get a teacher of French from France,' explained by means of a model of tho new school the open-air system of living, both as regards the provision of open-air class rooms for the daytime and the provision of open balconies for sleeping purposes. With regard to the latter, he pointed out how, without creating any draft whatever, a practically perfect purity of air had boen ensured for the girls, each of whom would get a supply n ore than 10 times as great as \what had been considered sufficient until 'quite recently. He concluded by proposing a hearty and appreciative vote of thanks to Mrs Nisbet. Mrs Nisbet read a letter from the architect, in which lie requested that a key bo handed to Dr King as a memento of tho occasion, and tho singing of tho National Anthem broneht tho proceedings to a close.