STUDY IN HOLIDAYS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31776, 5 September 1968, Page 8

STUDY IN HOLIDAYS

Should pupils study during the holidays? said an article in the August journal of the Cashmere High School. Opinions on this question may vary in a family, the parents suggesting one thing and the children another! While many pupils may pass external examinations which our society regards as a sign of education, and rewards accordingly, without any holiday study, there is an important group of pupils who may profit by a little conscientious and methodical work, particularly during the second term vacation, the article says. Sometimes there is a very fine margin between pass and fail, and a pupil who is near the border may find that quiet reading, note-taking and revision, away from the strict timetable of school days with its many calls on time, makes him more confident that he is up with, and is mastering, his studies.

It is a good plan to take a complete break from studies for some time at the beginning of the vacation but the times of complete relaxation and the time of study will vary according to the vacation plans. Obviously a pupil who will spend the final week on skis needs to plan the study in the previous week. In the sixth forms many pupils do not do sufficient reading about their subjects. This may be due to their habits, but sports practices and trips, plus other school or private activities, take considerable time and energy. Three or four hours a day for a week or 10 days may fill some of the gaps. It is highly probable that the same pupils, who at present may regard holidays as sacred and to be pleasure orientated, will not have the same attitude when

they are contemplating the university examinations in 1969!

What incentives can be offered? Under the new School Certificate regulations with one subject passes for 50 per cent there will be more School Certificates, but employers will want to see how many subjects and to what standard. A School Cer-

tificate is no longer an automatic entrance to the sixth form.

Pupils who study in the vacation are advised to set themselves reasonable targets and to work regularly, in say, two hour spells. In this way they will still find time for the ice rink, the pictures, TV, dances, “who-dun-its.” and the domestic chores.

History and Social Studies. For the last few years he has also had the additional duty of Careers Adviser. He has been active in community affairs in Nelson, having been at various times secretary of the Navy League, secretary and then president of the Hockey Association and president of the Nelson branch of the Royal Overseas League.

Mrs Newenham. a former primary school teacher, has also taken an active interest in these and other local activities.