Women’s studies for sixth formers

Press, 1 February 1988, Page 14

Women’s studies for sixth formers

Making it happen

Hagley High School is offering Women’s Studies as a sixth form certificate subject this year ■— probably the first course of its kind in the country.

The course aims to foster an awareness and understanding of women’s position in society and the research and communication skills to effectively counter discrimination.

Language, socialisation, sex differences, media images, the nuclear family, domestic violence, motherhood, fairytales, myths, modern romance and women’s literature will all be studied — especially as they relate to the lives of the women on the course. All interested adults are invited to join this course, which involves four hours of study a week. There are no special entry requirements.

Course facilitators Helen Leahy and Elaine Whelan are keen to share the teaching with people from the community, in order to avoid a narrow, middle class, pakeha perspective. Enrolments can be made at Hagley High School today, February 1, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Phone 793-090. Behind the news Those wanting to delve deeper into current world issues will find the Workers Educational Association’s Behind the

News series very stimulating and informative. Each weekly lunch time session deals with a different issue, with both local and visiting speakers.

The next series begins on Wednesday, February 10, from 12.10 p.m. to 1.10 p.m. at the W.E.A. at 59 Gloucester St, and runs for 12 weeks.

Topics are in order: What is happening in the Indian sub-continent? with scientist Dr Gordon Rodley; Employment opportunities in Christchurch with Tahana Waretini from the Labour Department; Right and left in the United States — Which is the greater threat? by visiting United States professor, Marc Karson; Technology — who benefits?, with Dr Graeme Britten from the university’s engineering department; The Philippines after Marcos, with Sue Piercy, from Corso; The role of regional development in a free market economy with economist Phil Donnelly; Brazil — land of diversity and contrasts, with Elza Shepard, a Brazilian now living in Christchurch; Population, resources and sustainable development — a U.N.E.S.C.O. experience with Dr John Peet from the University of Canterbury Engineering Depart-, rnent; One year in — the trade union education authority in Christchurch,

with its director Dr Linda Sissons; Rising crime rates — fact or fiction, with criminologist Bob Calkin; Perestroika and glasnost — Gorbachev’s new thrust, with teacher and U.S.S.R. Society presi-. dent Gay Longbottom and Partnership — with/for government — who decides? with John Kidd from Methodist Social Services. The cost of the course is $16.50. For more details telephone the W.E.A. at 64-530 or call at 59 Gloucester St. Barnardo’s free courses Women in the eastern suburbs wanting to do something for themselves now. their children are back at school, or those with pre-schoolers needing company and stimulation are invited to Barnardo’s Family Support Service enrolment day this Wednesday, February 3.

This will be at 58 Aidershot St (off Breezes Rd), from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tea and coffee will be served and you can bring your lunch if you wish.

Courses this term include Self Confidence, Taha Maori, Raising a Family, Dealing with

Anger, Reading and Writing and Self Awareness. Ongoing groups are for single parents (both a women’s and a mixed group), and parents with bedwetting children. There are also craft, multi-cultural and youth groups and it is hoped to start a beginners’ gardening group. All groups and courses are free of charge and child care is available. Those who can’t make enrolment day, or need more information, can phone Nona or Linda at the centre on 889-634. Women's house The Women’s House Coalition is made up ol various women’s groups in the city who are in the process of moving into the ground floor of the old Girls’ High School in Montreal St.

Among the groups are the Health Alternatives for Women (T.H.A.W.), the Otautahi Women’s Labour Pool and the Canterbury Women’s Employment Trust. There will also be space for self help groups to meet.

The coalition is holding its first annual general 'meeting on Wednesday, February 10, at 7.30 p.m. in Room 3 of the Workers’

Educational Association’s rooms at 59 Gloucester St. All interested women from the community are invited. For more information contact Maria Clare at 791-660, ext. 527, Christine Hickey at 61-818 or Corrine Stevenson at 796-970. Relaxation and anxiety management By controlling your life, rather than letting it control you, you’ll get what you want and enjoy your life more. That is the premise behind a workshop on Relaxation Techniques and Anxiety Management which the Workers’ Educational Association is starting next Monday, February 8. Content will include anxiety symptoms, relaxation techniques, rational thinking, assertive communication, and problem solving. The tutor is clinical psychologist Rassana Mariezcurrena. The five-week workshop will be held twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, from 5.30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The fee is $20.60. For more details contact the W.E.A. at 59 Gloucester St, telephone ■64-530. Land rights Aotearoa/New Zealand: whose land is it? is the

title of a public forum to be held this Thursday, February 4, at the Limes Room of the Christchurch Town Hall.

Steve O’Regan, the chairman of the Ngai Tahu Trust Board, farmer, Pat McGloin and the Rev. Barbara Stephens, the director of Christian World Service, are the speakers. The forum starts at 8 p.m. Admission is by donation. Pattern drafting and design The Polytech’s popular part-time courses in Pattern Drafting, Patterns and Design restart this week and run until midNovember. In these two-hour-a-week courses, students learn to draft patterns for T-shirts, trousers, shirts, jackets, dresses, skirts, leisure wear and collars and sleeves for women’s, men’s and children’s wear. Students also learn to make a toile and block and how to create working design patterns from these. The cost of the course is $l6 for 10 weeks, $22 for 14 weeks and $32 for 20 weeks. The classes are held at the Sullivan Ave site.

To enrol or for more information telephone the

Polytech at 798-150, ext. 8207. Retirement Many people don’t realise how major a life change retirement is. For those nearing retirement, a nine-week course begins at Hagley High School on Wednesday, February 17, at 7 p.m. Those wanting to join Preparing for Retirement can enrol by telephoning 793-090. For further information, contact the course organiser, Dr Bryan Gray at 559-872. Spinal unit support group The support group for families, supporters and caregivers of those with spinal disabilities will hold its first meeting of the year at the Burwood Hospital Nurses Home, this Wednesday, February 3, at 10.15 a.m. Anyone interested in joining can telephone Sylvia at 857437 or Joyce at 523-342, both home numbers. Compiled by Glenys Walker. Items for this column should be sent to Glenys Walker, Making It Happen, Home and People Page, “The Press,” Private Bag, Christchurch. Please submit one week before publication.