Hagley: diversity of people and cultures

Press, 16 July 1986, Page 12

Hagley: diversity of people and cultures

MARGARET BAKER

continues her series. on

Christchurch secondary schools as seen by senior pupils.

The group of senior pupils gathered in the principal’s office at Hagley High School looks a little different from most Christchurch seventh forms. No uniforms, and some adults among them. Not that the younger students are noticeably less mature than their older classmates, it’s just that 33-year-old Corrinne Ryan, and 29-year-old Andy Godfrey, add an extra dimension to the discussion, and the school. Hagley High is described by its students and the principal, Ros Heinz, as a community school, catering for all sectors of society. It has no strict zone, and welcomes students of all ages and levels of ability. This is done through a great variety of specialist classes, includ-

ing English classes for its non-English speaking pupils.

“There’s a real diversity of people and cultures in the school. No one group is a majority, so everyone has an equal footing. I really think it broadens your mind and prepares you well for the outside world,” says Ben Vidgen, a recent arrival from Christchurch Boys’ High School. Two others, Rachael Malloch and Louisa Clements, have come from other Christchurch schools to complete their seventh form year at Hagley.

“The atmosphere here is much more relaxed than my last school. People mix between the levels, and there’s a feeling you can really be yourself and not have to conform to outside pres-

sures,” says Louisa. All say one of the best things about Hagley is this emphasis on developing a sense of individuality and personal potential. “You’re working for yourself and are encouraged to find your own talents. There’s no pressure to be in a top sports team, or to perform academically. The only competition is to get the whole class through an exam, rather than get the highest marks — we all work together,” says Rachael.

Andy says he is impressed with the caring atmosphere in the school. “The individual counts. No-one is ostracised for being different. As an adult I’m just one of the class and have no trouble mixing with the other students.” Corrinne has been so impressed with the school she sent her son there this year.

“I often go out with the others, and am always Included in their activities. It’s been a very valuable experience for me—- — it’s really improved my relationship with my own children.”

The younger students say having adults in their classes gives them another perspective on ideas and issues, and they often find themselves working hard to keep up with them.

“They’re so motivated to do well it really spurs us on,” says Maria Couper. “And their views open out our own experiences, they’ve been away from the school environment and have a lot to offer.” .

They believe the reportedly "rough” image of Hagley as a school “full of other school drop-outs, weirdos, street kids, and punks” is completely false. . “We do get a lot of

students who’ve been in trouble at other schools, or couldn’t cope with the system, but here they can be themselves. They usually do well in an atmosphere where people care and everyone is respected as an individual,” says Andy. “The ‘rough’ impression is an old Impression — but things like that die hard in Christchurch.”

Those who play sports say other schools usually give Hagley teams a hard time — especially if Hagley wins. “We’re really put down a lot, and if we beat them they react as If to say ‘but you’re Hagley, you’re not supposed to do that’,” says Maria, who plays for a school basketball team.

In sports, and school facilities the students think Hagley is very well off, and they are often helped by the teachers to set up new activities. “Everything’s there at your fingertips. No-one forces you to make use of the facilities, but they’re always available,” says

“At Boys High it mattered so much that you did well at sport that I was totally turned off — but here, where there’s no pressure, I’m in the hockey team, and do debating and a lot of other things.”

The self-motivation aspect of the schools comes through strongly. Pupils are encouraged to work at their subjects or participate in activities, but it’s completely up to them to do so.

“You have to be selfdisciplined, but then that prepares you well for university. There’s no-one there making you hand in an essay, but if you don’t you realise you suffer-in the end,” says Maria.

Lousia adds that the teachers always take an interest in what students are doing, and will check up on why they haven’t done some work.

“But they do it nicely, and want to know the reasons behind your actions or behaviour.”

The subject choice satisfies them all. They say

if a student particularly wants to take a certain class that might not fit in so easily, ways around the problem are found. “If you’re not academically inclined, Hagley has such a wide range of subjects and courses to take it caters for everyone,” says Maria. The teaching staff win high praise from the students who say they are more like friends.

“We don’t have to use last names, and they treat us as individuate at our own level,” says Rachael. “They go out of their way to do things for you — you can stop and talk to them on the street, and they often come out with us,” says Michael Roberts. Ros Heinz is also well thought of by the students. “She moves around the school and meets people, it’s not as if she’s a big figurehead sitting in her office.

“And I like the way she is concerned for the community as a whole, and is very approachable,” says Corrinne.

Very few can think of things they didn’t like about the school. Some do say a bit more discipline in the third and fourth forms might help when it comes to applying themselves to work in the senior forms.

"Although it hasn’t really affected any of us, and Hagley has good first year varsity records.” As for discipline itself, they say the rules of the school centre on good conduct, self control, and consideration for others.

“The lack of a pecking order amongst pupils means there’s hardly any real violence. If you don’t like someone you just stay away. And if you don’t like the way something is being done in the school or how a teacher is teaching, then you approach the person directly — you can talk about everything with the staff. We’ve got a school council, but it doesn’t really deal with problems because we can go straight to the source,” says Ben.

All the students seem to have a definite pride in

their school. Many say they believe all schools in New Zealand will eventually be like Hagley. “It’s a really caring place to be, and we’re proud of it.”