Polytechnic and Hagley High now open for enrolment

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 33

Polytechnic and Hagley High now open for enrolment

The Polytechnic is prepared for a new year of continuing education. The Summer School has again attracted many students from the Canterbury region and including people from Nelson and Dunedin. The main enrolment days for 1988 part-time courses were yesterday l from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday, January 28 from 12.00 noon to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Centre, city site. There are just a few courses where the demand is greater than the number of places we can offer, therefore enrolment on a first come basis is the fairest. From the advertised start time on the first day, it usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes to clear the initial queue. From then on most

people, for routine enrolments, would take about 20 minutes. Following the main enrolment, from Monday February 1, all other enrolments are taken at Information/Enrolments in the John Hercus Centre, city site, Coventry Street and for courses in the Departments of Construction Services and Building and Architecture at the Opawa site, Sullivan Avenue. It is true, many courses run for the whole year — but there are many courses run for a much shorter period. Enrolment for these courses is continuous. Please call at Information/Enrolments or phone (03) 798-150 for information and advice. In addition to the professional, technician and trade courses offered, there are courses to learn

a variety of skills, also many courses for interest and stimulation.

Learning is a sharing of knowledge and that opportunity should be available to people of all ages. Last year the average age of the 20,000 plus students was in the 30 year old group. Students have many reasons for studying at the Polytechnic — some are seeking qualifications related to their job, others to learn a skill for employment, others for interest. The time commitment depends on the knowledge sought. It may be just a couple of hours a week, up to intensive fullday programmes. Remember, the Information Centre is open and glad to reply to your enquiries. Like the Polytechnic, Hagley High School also

offers the opportunity of continuing education.

Hagley High School has had adults in its day school since 1974. In 1987 they had a record number of 310 enrolments in fifth, sixth and seventh form classes, sharing classes with the younger, firsttime students.

The value for the younger students is obvious: they have adults learning alongside them, adults who are highly motivated to learn and bring a wealth of experience into the classroom. The presence of adults also means that the school treats all its senior students more as adults than as children. This seems to enhance the learning of many of the younger students. The value for the older students is not so obvious, but those who finish the

year say how much they have enjoyed their year even though the work was often very demanding. They enjoy what they learn and they appreciate the companionship of younger students. In the best situations, young and old learn from each other.

Two of the factors that make life easier for the adult students are the creche and the adult social and study centre. The creche provides preschool education for children aged 0 to 5, so that young parents can learn at the same time as their children.

Some of the parents actually take the child and family studies courses. Hagley House is an old house in the school grounds. It gives a pleasant place where adults can have coffee and chat,

or use one of the study rooms.

Most adults find the support and companionship a real boost. Some even enrol more for this than the classes and then get really interested in the study and do well at it.

There is also the usual very extensive list (117 subjects) of examination subjects, languages, hobby and other skills offered in evening classes. Subjects can be taken in the day and the evening so that people can work out the best timetable for their lives.