MIXED SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 9

MIXED SCHOOLS.

lUKTOiYS BLEMS. NATION OF escents. « to fit the TEN FOR THE PRESS.) atoi-r, 8.A., M.Cojj., ib'urton High School.] ftv years ago—tho rated in worthy style c Ashburton High of the '-mixed" type 100J where boys and idary stage in educa/ogether. Co-education while in many respects ampioncd by tlie best in any case the only tile in the smaller with ceitain difficulol these is the oviding ii course sutsnsivo to meet all reanents ol pupils of fldcn Mean. Lhat Ashburton High s ha\e attempted to to- makfc its curricuet this difficulty, but ildon mean ■ between iurat education. Tho course'is there for or desire it; and the' ;ord of academic sucny school, of ite size mplate with satisfaceffort has been made last few years, 'to t. i 1 side, and il l 1 ave not the ! professional t best suited ' Agn uiiitre. ;all »t the centre of i I I eart of one I ensivc ogrit ot tl Dominion, \ II to looked to to place in all matters land. With this fact nlf that the ptaciug, e'very forif Front of its' i. Especially at the ? school is sparing; no compref.Ss pupils who are their livelihood "from b' school is a farm of 1 recently the farm i

n as v ll,ui( -' r lease to the Department of Agriculture, and controlled by this Department, for experimental purposes. At tlio same timo it was available fur High School pupils for demonstration •Hid observation.' As a step towards developing the school agricultural syllabus, and making it distinctly practical, the High School Board determined tho lease, and is now working the area as u school farm. It is already a going concern, will crops and live stock, and is under the direct supervision of a member of the school staff. All branches of farm work .will be undertaken, and those who take the agricultural course will each take part in the actual operations ot the farm at all stages. -They will thus get insight into the management of mixed farming operations, which should stand them in good stead when they leave school. At the same timo there will be scope for extensive experimental work, especially with regard to manures.

Laboratory Work, bide by side with farm operations goes theoretical_training Largely through ilio generosity of a former Ashburton citizen, Mr Hugo Friedlander, the school possesses a spacious and splendidly equipped agricultural /laboratory. It is jjossible to combine theoretical instruction with laboratory experimental work on the one hand, and farm experiment on tho other. A brief resume of the course undertaken will make this aspect clear. Theoretical and; laboratory work begins with instruction and experiment as to the formation of'soils, their types | and properties; the farm provides opportunities for observation of tho different types, the products that Jirive best on each, and the response of each I type to treatment. General instruction and demonstration in botanical work, especially with regard to clovers and grasses, is undertaken in the laboratory; there follows on the farm field examination and identification oi species, observation as to habits of growth, demonstration as to pasture management, and the advantages of rotational grazing. ' Cereal Production. With regard to cereal production, thooretical instruction includes the question of distribution of crops according co climates and soil conditions, and the economic importance of the various crops. On the practical side comes the growth of wheat and other cereals, their varieties, cultivation, and all other seasonal operations. Similarly, in addition to cultivation of potatoes, tho course includes instruction and experiment with different varieties, and the raising and selection of .good lines of seed. The theoretical course includes animal husbandry, comprising general anatomy, common ailments of animals, points of different breeds, etc.; on the farm there is the care of hemes, cows, sheep, and pigs, all necessary operations being performed cither by, ot under the : direct observation* of the pupils. Perhaps the most important branch of the work on both sides relates to the composition of manures," Jifl.w^e"|e((rc^ts ¥ 6f ;trefttmen| tisQils-.V practically fcpi.plied in shearing and classing the school .flopk-,-, is Full anstruction in : orchard ork is added^' and to" make the syllabus entirely comprehensive, pupils will receive sufficient instruction and practice in woodwork arid metalwork for all. practical farm purposes, including the erection of the smaller buildings.

f Home Science for Girls. Emphasis lifts been laid in this article on the agricultural'side of the school, as it is felt that this marks an bonestr attempt topliice the call for an agricultural bias to education on a thoroughly practical plane. It is not to be, assumed, however, that there is any intenti#! pf ; contieiitrating on this *ide at the expenee dr any other. Past succcsses. on Itho academic side have been. already referred to._ For the, gjrl« there is facility for instruction ia ; home science, including 8. cooking room equipped on modern lines. There is also a complete set of typewriters and other equipment for the training of those who intend to follow a commercial career. At the same tinio tho school is well provided With plhyink' fields,; and has an excellent library; raid splendid swimming baths. Its record on the field of sport is an excellent one. It will 1 thus be seen that tho school _aims at providing an all-round education entirely suited to the needs of the community it serves.