Adult-pupil scheme at Hagley High successful

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33664, 14 October 1974, Page 21

Adult-pupil scheme at Hagley High successful

More than 20 adults and a group of pre-school children will join the day roll of Hagley High School next year as part of the plan to convert it into Christchurch's first community high school.

This year. Hagley High School has seven adult daytime pupils; who attend classes in the fifth, sixth, and seventh forms. The decision to extend the number of adult learners has: been made because of the' success of this year’s group.; and in response to demand.; A creche run by a full-; time, trained supervisor will! be provided so that mothers! with young children can! attend classes. Adults taking' advantage of this will pay for it. and senior pupils of the school will give some help. The plan to extend secondchance education courses at Hagley High School has been approved by the school’s board of governors and has

the support of senior officers; of the Department of Educa-j tion. i This year, adult pupils! include a 24-year-old married; man studying for a univer-! I sity bursary examination beifore seeking entry to the; Otago Medical School, two; ; sixth-form students who wish Ito become primary school; teachers, a 26-year-old] ;former taxi-driver studying; ' for School Certificate, and a I married woman with three 'school-age children. Most of the men also have' ;part-time jobs to maintain' their families. The principal of Hagley'; High School (Mr I. D. Leg-1 gat) said yesterday that be-; cause of the success of the; adult learners it would now| be the policy of the school; to encourage older people to make use of the school’s day! classes. I

1 “We are keen to ensure that this produces in the minds of the community the idea that this school is an all-age institution. Our I physical position assists this,! and we-are fortunate to be able to become the first; institution in Christchurch to offer secondary school level I work to adults in the day■time,” he said. Adult pupils at Hagley High School become ordin-1 ary members of various i classes, but next year they ‘will have their own common 1 room instead of sharing that : used bv staff. i Mr Leggat said that the ■! effect of the adult group had been applauded by teen-age! i pupils and staff. j “The older pupils have eniriched the school life because! i of their mature motivation; ■ and diverse backgrounds,” he; !said, |