Six Languages Taught At Avonside. G.H.S.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 6

Six Languages Taught At Avonside. G.H.S.

Six languages English, Latin, French, German, Maori and Japanese—are now being studied by pupils of the Avonside Girls’ High School. The principal (Miss P. M Stevenson) told the board of governors that lessons in Maori and Japanese had begun recently. Maori, previously taken by correspondence, was now being taught ’by the Rev. M. Mete, Maori priest for the South Island. It was being taken by six Maori girls for school certificate and one for university entrance. Many other girls wished to take Maori if classes were available next year. A second class in elementary Japanese, arranged by the Education Department, had been formed from schools in the north-east, and it was meeting at Avonside.

A school council had been formed with elected representatives of each form. Miss Stevenson said. Topics for discussion were notified in ad vance so that preliminary talks could be held at form level

New tramping and debating clubs had been formed, and the social service club this year had 185 volunteers. The fencing club had had instruction from the Australian national coach (Mr J. E. Fethers). Eight choirs, totalling 250 girls, competed in the inter-house choir contest, all training being done by the girls. Eighty-five passed lifesaving examinations, including six for senior instructors' awards, six for junior instructors’ awards and three for awards of merit.

Because a higher total roll and notably larger sixth forms, Avonside has qualified as a grade six school. The board was told that purchase of a house at 198 Avonside Drive would release space for more classrooms to be formed in the Davis house. Elsewhere, two classrooms would be con-

verted to a science laboratory A grant of about $3OOO has been received for grounds development. Professor G. Jobberns was elected chairman of the board for the twentieth year and Mrs E. B. Dalmer was elected deputy chairman.