Teaching expert in drama visits

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 5

Teaching expert in drama visits

One of the world’s leading exponents of drama in education, Mrs Dorothy Heathcote, will be in Christchurch tomorrow. Mrs Heathcote is a senior lecturer in education from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in England. She has been brought to New Zealand with the assistance of the Education Department and the British Council. She will give a public lecture at Christchurch Teachers’ College in Dovedale Avenue at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow, then spend the afternoon in workshops with teachers. When Mrs Heathcote first visited New Zealand in 1978, she aroused considerable interest among teachers and others in the community. She is here this year to further the development of a network of New Zealand teachers who have skills in

drama. In Auckland, Mrs Heathcote has worked with primary and secondary teachers from throughout New Zealand in three week-long courses. Mrs Heathcote is particularly renowned for her work with the mentally and physically handicapped. Since her last visit, many teachers have worked on related projects at New Zealand hospitals for the mentally handicapped. After her visit to Christchurch, Mrs Heathcote will spend a week working at Porirua Hospital with teachers involved in special education. Mrs Heathcote’s work has won international recognition. She teaches regularly in the United States and has been invited to Ireland, Norway, Australia, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Cyprus to lecture and conduct workshops.