SCHOOL VISIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 5

SCHOOL VISIT.

WANGANUI PUPILS.

AT KOWHAI TO-MORROW. MAKING NEW FRIENDS. Much value, educational and social, is attached to a visit to be paid to-morrow to the Kowhai Intermediate School by the pupils and stall' of the Wanganui Intermediate School, one of the four other separate institutions in New Zealand conducted 011. a similar basis. The stay of the visitors in Auckland will extend until Sunday night, and it is hoped that next year Kowhai pupils will be able to make a return visit to Wanganui.

lii recent years the Kowhai school lias recognised modern educational developments in a practical way. Up-to-date methods and facilities have been introduced from time to time in the form of progressive training systems and such advancements as radio and the cinema. With the institution of visits such as this it is the aim of the school to foster a closer kindred spirit and a broader exchange of outlook and ideas.

"The aims of the visit may be said to be threefold," said the principal, Mr. >1. I<\ Wells, to-day. "Firstly, there is the educational point of view. The Wanganui children will see at work a school similar in type to.their own. Both institutions have entered new and interesting fields in education, and there may be points, in which one school can learn something of value from the methods of the other. At all events it is likely to prove of great interest to the visitors to watch another school at work." Broadening of Interests. "Secondly,, there is the social aspect. Both schools will have the opportunity of making new contacts and new friendships, and understanding a little of the points of view of the people of another city. There is bound to be, in this way, a broadening of interests, and much of value should be gained from the influences of these contacts and from the opportunities of entertaining and fraternising. In this respect, too, the sports contests that are being arranged will be of great importance in engendering a spirit of friendly rivalry and. good sportsmanship. Then, again, the visit will help to develop a civic sense in the minds of the children in their preparations for welcoming and entertaining the visitors. Further, while our boys and girls are showing their guests something of the city of Auckland, the feeling of loyalty to the city will tend to be strengthened."

Nearly 100 children, with the principal,, Mr. X. A. Kowntree, and members °f the staff, will be included in the visiting party, which will arrive by express at 7.0 a.m. to-morrow. A comprehensive booklet has been produced in attractive fashion by the Kowhai school as a souvenir programme, with words of welcome to the visitors and descriptions of places of interest about the city. The Wanganui children are to be billetted in the homes of Kowhai pupils and three full days have been arranged for them. Programme Arranged. To-morrow the visitors will be taken by bus to the school and then to the homes where they are to be biletted. They will inspect the Kowhai school in the morning and visit Mount Eden and the Zoo in the afternoon. On Saturday morning there will be Rugby, basketball and Soccer matches of Kowhai and hockey at the Auckland Training ColI'.'Se. In the afternoon the Museum and Mission Bay, St. Heliers and Titirangi will be visited, and there will be entertainment at the school in the evening. Sunday morning will be free and in the afternoon the Devonport Naval Base will be visited, through the courtesy of Commander C. B. Tinlev. A tour of the North Shore districts will be made •before the return to Auckland. The Wanaanui party will leave for the South by the Limited in the evening.

The Kowhai school lias raise;! a sum of nearly £40 for the entertainment of the visitors during their stay in Auckland. This will he the first visit the school has ever received from a similar institution.