W.E.A. keeps up with the times

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34046, 9 January 1976, Page 4

W.E.A. keeps up with the times

By continually responding to public demand for specific classes, the Canterbury W.E.A. has kept up with changing social attitudes, says Miss Daphne Chapman.

Miss Chapman, who will retire as secretary of the association next month after eight year's service, said: “We keep our ears to the ground for what people want. We are often apiproached by other groups for co-operation in activities, and men anti women who have attended classes also make suggestions for new courses, which we follow up.”

During the last four years, there has been an increased emphasis on community affairs and a wider involvement with community groups in programmes.

“And in the eight years j I have been with the W.E.A., II have noticed a considerable j increase in the number of iyounger people joining who (wish to extend their educaitioi and find new leisureitime interests,” she said. ■“Though many courses have been repeated annually for more than a decade, we can i always find room for new (classes as new interests gain I in popularity.” A special appeal of the W.E.A. is that it maintains an open platform on any subject and is impartial in presenting views. Hence it gives students of all ages, who are keen to extend their education, opportunities to broaden their views. “Manv of the changes that have taken place are related to general changes in community attitudes, such as more people wanting to become more involved in local affairs and to start new leisure-time interests.” Art classes, for instance, now have a much wider attraction for men. Within a

I few years, the numbers of imen attending these courses [has increased in ratio from lone man to three women to ian almost equal proportion. iAnd they are young as well las older men.

The Wider Horizons programme, started late in 1973, was a natural follow-on of the preparation for retirement courses, Miss Chapman said. It has increased from 63 members to 600 in less than three years. Though the programme was started for “over sixties,” its membership now includes many young persons, particularly suburban housewives. They are offered classes in l chess, bridge, French, current affairs (the most popular), art! and art appreciation, health) and fitness, square dancing, [ the changing society and ; other topics. In 1973. this programme: was held once a week; now, 1 it is open five days a week. In Miss Chapman’s time,! morning classes for public! speaking for women were started. FORUM CLUB

“These were planned to help women become more articulate and better able to speak with confidence at a meeting,” she said, “and from these classes, the Forum Luncheon Club was developed.” With the stimulation of International Women’s Year, Miss Chapman believes there will probably be an upsurge of interest in these particular public speaking classes. Changes in life style have brought a demand for more day classes. Last year all language courses were held on Saturday mornings. By request, music group activities are held in the early part of the evening. “The W.E.A. is always willing to arrange classes at times to suit students, all of whom come from a wide cross-section of the comtnun-

ity,” she said. “Many like the idea of going to a class at 5.30 p.m., straight from work, and finishing at 7 p.m. to have the rest of the evening free.”

Summer schools have become very popular. Miss Chapman, who took part in the recent school at Arthur’s Pass on “New Zealand. 2000 A.D.,” said the attendance of 150 persons was one of the largest in recent years. Students included five exchanges from the Peoples’ Republic of China, nine from Korea, and three from Nepal. Looking ahead. Miss Chapman believes that W.E.A. classes must be extended to the outer suburbs of Christchurch where public transport is infrequent, particularly in the evenings. “It is difficult for those who live in, say, the developing areas of east Christchurch to get to our premises in Gloucester Street west,” she said. The W.E.A. does not overlap with other adult educational groups which have started in Christchurch. It co-operates with them. “There is room for all,” she added.

Miss Chapman believes that the organisation will undoubtedly develop its working association with the Christchurch Technical Institute and with the University of Canterbury'. In her retirement. Daphne Chapman hopes to continue her association in some way with the Wider Horizons programme. She would like to do research into housing for the elderly, perhaps. Miss Chapman went to the W.E.A. as secretary after 10 years working in London, including seven years as a personal assistant to the senior partner of a large legal firm. Before going to England she was an active member of the Christchurch Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club and was its president for some time. She was also the second national president of the New Zealand Federation of B. and P. Clubs. She is a foundation member of the Christchurch Area Federation of the Pan Pacific and South-East Asia Women’s Association and an [early member of the Christchurch branch of the United [Nations Association.