They wouldn’t change schools

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 15

They wouldn’t change schools

MARGARET BAKER talks to seventh form students at Christchurch Girls’ High School and Christchurch Boys’ High School. She finds the schools share many attitudes. Next, in the third of her series on the city’s secondary schools, the contrasts of life at Hagley High School are discussed.

According to senior pupils from Christchurch Girls’ High School and Christchurch Boys’ High School, the two schools have much in common. Their comments about subjects, teachers, the school heirarchy, discipline and traditions echo each other. Most think a wider range of subjects could be offered in their schools, especially after fifth form level. “It would be good to be able to specialise in the seventh form in areas like Japanese, but we don’t have the scope,” says

Lynette Irvine, during a group discussion. Jason Gunn thinks the narrow choice is frustrating in the higher forms, and means students take subjects they have little interest in, and waste the teachers and their own time. The Boys’ High pupils also think their curriculum is “old fashioned” and should offer subjects such as engineering, metalwork, and home economics. “We miss out on a lot of practical things that could really help us when we leave school,” says Tony Allen. "And work experience isn’t really emphasised enough.” The teacher/pupil relations seem to be reasonably amicable. All mention “a few they could do without,” but in general think the seventh formers are treated well by the teaching staff. “It gets better as you

get older,” says Lynette. Their male counterparts, however, say they wouldn’t like to be a female teacher in their school. “They really get heaps from the pupils, especially the younger ones,” says Andrew Turley. “I don’t think we learn to get on with females as well as we could.” But none of the boys feel going to a single sex school has made them sexist in their attitudes, or

believe it is any disadvantage to their social life. “We mix a lot with Girls’ High and other girls’ schools, especially for music and drama,” says Andrew. A few believe females in the classroom would be “too distracting” and make them nervous, but say many of their teachers feel mixed classes would make them more mature. The Girls’ High pupils have slightly stronger

ideas on the single sex subject. “I wouldn’t like to have mats in the classroom. I think we all relax more and can just act as ourselves. We’re not trying to impress anyone, and we form better friendships with the other girls,” says Jane Simpson. The group agrees with Jane. They say they can develop their own interests and personalities away from male/female pressures.

“It helps when you leave school too. You’re your own person and won’t go mad at the sight and Influence of males,” adds Jane. They mix mostly with other single sex schools, through sports, drama, and school dances. Describing a few of their teachers as “very feminist,” the girls say they basically take what they want from this attitude and it’s not something that is emphasised.

“The issue isn’t pushed on us. What’s important is we’re taught to think for ourselves,” says Andrea Graham. A notable similarity between the two groups is their attitude towards their principals. All think they are commendable public figures, but have little to do with the pupils, and little idea or concern about them. “I think Miss Prisk is an efficient administrator, but she doesn’t mingle with the girls and you can’t approach her about problems or ideas,” says Jane. “She’s a big part of the school to the outside world, but I don’t really think she knows what’s going on inside,” declares Andrea. The Boys’ High pupils also regard lan Leggat as an authoritative figure, but one who keeps his distance from the pupils. “Most pupils are afraid of him. We have more contact with the deputy head and the senior masters,” says Tony Allen. “He seems to be more concerned with Old Boys’ matters than the pupils at school.” The Old Boys’ set-up, and the traditions of Boys’ High, receive unanimous support from the seventh formers. “I really like the old traditions, and the old boys’ network. You go to other places and people recognise you for your school, especially with

things like sporting contacts,” says Andrew. However, they say most third formers don’t like the traditions. “You appreciate them more as you get older.” Sport appears to be a big factor at Boys’ High. “You have to have some degree of sporting ability, otherwise you just don’t get noticed. It’d be hard if you didn’t excel in some other area — even those who excel academically aren’t as recognised as those who are good at sport,” insists Jason. Many sports are available, but cricket and rugby still rule. On the cultural side, drama and music are gaining popularity but most of the facilities are sports-orientated. The Girls’ High pupils also say sport is strong within the school, but music and drama are equally popular and a wide range of clubs is available. Both schools are labelled by their senior pupils as strict about discipline. “Some of it’s pretty ridiculous — the emphasis on uniforms and rules,” says Anna Hearn. “I’d like it to be a bit more lenient. It only really improves once you get to the seventh form.” They don’t think any true bullying goes on within the school, although a few say the third form can be hell if you get picked on. “But mostly I’d say it was just cattiness. Generally, we have respect for each other, and can stand up for ourselves,” says Andrea. Most of the Boys’ High

students believe the school is very strict, but don’t think it’s to the detriment of the students. “I think the rules are effective, you get used to them from the third form. I don’t think caning should have been abolished. It’s an excellent deterrant,” says Andrew. Not all agree with this, but they think the rules are directed to “teaching right from wrong,” and have a moral basis. "It’s not punishment for punishment’s sake, and there’s usually a fair enough reason behind rules.” Both sets of students say they are happy at their schools, and wouldn’t like to shift The Girls’ High seniors are looking forward to moving to their new site, but say they’ll miss the atmosphere of the old school, if not the peeling plaster and chilly rooms. It is, after all, close to town, the museum, the gallery, the library ... and the home bakery.

“I wouldn’t like to have males in the

classroom,” says Jane Simpson.

“I don’t think caning should have been abolished,” says Andrew Turley.