DR. C.M. KEYS RETURNS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 3

DR. C.M. KEYS RETURNS

Praise For New City Schools The New Zealand-born principal of one of the largest independent schools in Western Australia returned to Christchurch last week after an absence of 10 yean to begin three months’ leave He is Dr. G. M Keys, of Scotch College, Perth. Dr. Keys said that although he had been back only a short time, he had been interested by the physical appearance of some of the newer schools in the city. “I am most impressed by their spaciousness. Over there we art busy fighting the problem of congestion,” he said It would be some time before Western Australian schools had the uncluttered appearance of those in Christchurch.

Independent schools In Australia tended to dominate the educational system. Ever since he first arrived there 17 yeaire ago. Dr Keys said. h< had been amazed ait the strength and influence of these schools.

Scotch College has a roll of 600 pupils—“my idea of an ideal strength.” There was a long waiting list and it would be an easy matter to build up the school roll One of the advantages of being an independent school was that the size of the roll could be determined and held, unlike State schools. The college had 160 boarders from all over the State, he said. In addition it was his policy to include children from Malaya, Thailand, and India and Chinese from Hong Kong. There was a tremendous demand on the part of these countries to get youngsters through to matriculation so that they could go on to Australian universities

Before Dr. Keys went to Perth, he was in charge of the vocational guidance centre in Christchurch. Together with Miss C. Robinson, and Mr A. Kirk, in the North Island, they had the task of developing the guidance service as it is now known. This service was very much in advance of what was available in Western. Australia. New South Wales had an excellent scheme; but the other States were well behind, he said.