U.S. STUDENTS GIVE IMPRESSIONS OF N.Z.

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29170, 2 April 1960, Page 2

U.S. STUDENTS GIVE IMPRESSIONS OF N.Z.

The first impressions of school life in New Zealand were given in an entertaining series of talks last night when six young American Field Service scholars spoke at a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the A.F.S. The two boys, Fred Stoffel of Arcadia, California, and Gene Muller, of Grand Island, Nebraska, both remarked on the “lack of girls” at their new schools. “School here is more formal,” said Fred. “There is less social life than we have at home.” Gene added tactfully that he thought it was perhaps a good thing. “You certainly have to work harder.”

Marcy Smith from Oaklands, California, also mentioned the “formal” atmosphere in the schools. “We do everything in

the way of sport, social activities and clubs through the school in California,” she said. “Our dances are for pupils only, we go back to school in the evenings for club activities, in fact we move with the same circle of friends all the time. “I think New Zealand teenagers have a better time here in the' week-ends than we do at home. Most people seem to have another house outside the city and look forward to leaving town on Fridays. This idea is only just catching on in the States.”

Flora Lee Rhodes who comes from Clarence, New York, said she thought New Zealand teachers were more dedicated to their profession than American teachers. “Most of ours have other part-time jobs or interests. Many of the women teachers have their own fanjilies to look after as well.”

“I think the idea of a school uniform is good,” said Jean Barley, of San Anselmo, California. “It means there is no social class distinction at school. At home, all the girls are involved in the big races for clothes and it makes a big difference to your standing if you have nice ones. Here everyone has to look the same. Attending a co-educational school in Christchurch, Linda Coffee, of Dallas, Texas, said she was surprised to see all the pupils cycling to school. There were two large parking lots at her school where students kept their cars during school hours. “Not all of us had our own cars, I took the family’s, but only very little children rode bicycles to school,” she said.