TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 49, 7 December 1948, Page 2

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Display of Pupils’ Work HIGH STANDARD REVEALED Quite the most interesting and enlightening feature of the annual display of pupils’ work,, which was opened to the public at the Ashburton Technical High \ School last evening, and was continued to-day, was the demonstration of rhythmic touch-typing ■ by senior and junior girls’ classes. The girls touch-typed to a set rhythm supplied by a gramophone record made specially for instructional purposes. The speed of the junior (that is, first year) class was fixed at 12 words a minute, the record indicating the start with a series of beats, and at the end of a line announcing “return carriage.” In the case of the senior girls, the speed was set at 24 words a minute, and the gramophone guided them over half of the script only. In the second half they kept to the rhythm without its aid. The accommodation of the classroom where the girls demonstrated was taxed, and the girls themselves were applauded at the conclusion. To the layman, the articles in the boys’ metal work and engineering sections presented something of a mystery, but there was no doubting the fine workmanship involved. In the woodwork room, the skill and patience required' was better appreciated. A small staircase, cabinets, occasional tables, and most types of furniture for the home were represented, all being beautifully finished. A scale model of a building construction—.the work. of evening trades classes—was a centre of attraction. Painting, drawing, handwriting, scrap-book and exercise-book work, posters, hand-made articles and dressmaking, dolls dressed in national costumes, and commercial practice, were some of the exhibits to be found in the various classrooms. _ The high standard of the work must give the teachers satisfaction and some measure of return for the year’s instruction, while, most important of all, it reflects the degree of pride taken by the pupils in their daily tasks.

Screening of pictures in the new social studies’ room was held last night, and was continued this, afternoon, in addition to physical education displays by girls’ and boys’ teams.