Popular evening classes Embroidery for all

Press, 31 January 1989, Page 22

Popular evening classes Embroidery for all

Papanui High School runs one of the largest continuing education programmes in Christchurch. Maurice Cook, the continuing education coordinator, says there will be some 3000 enrolments this term mainly for evening classes. As with many other institutions, Papanui High School offers a variety of examination and hobby classes. But according to Mr Cook, many of Papanui’s examination subjects are not available elsewhere as evening classes. These include English, chemistry, physics, history, accounting, economics, science and mathematics to sixth form certificate. Examination subjects to school certificate and

sixth form certificate are providing a secondchance education for many people. “In this area there have been some very good passes,” Mr Cook says. Papanui also offers a tremendous range of hobby classes. These range from Chinese cooking and antique appreciation through to aerobics and self defence. “Students at hobby classes obviously enjoy themselves,” Mr Cook says. “Last term, the Chinese cooking class put on a unexpected banquet for the tutor. It was a full meal with all the trimmings. “Pottery classes also produce surprises. Many people come with no pottery skills and within a couple of years are selling their work.” The school runs some specialist textile courses which are usually very popular. Photography is another specialist area. Papanui High School has been successful in the Ilford Shield photographic

competitions in recent years and is in a good position to provide comprehensive classes for beginner and more advanced amateur photographers. There are also three drawing and painting classes. Two are evening classes and the other is held during the day. These provide excellent opportunities for those with an interest in art, but do not know where to start. “A characteristic of many hobby classes is their friendliness. Students are enjoying getting to know other people as well as learning something, and sometimes classes even meet to go' out for dinner. "Some students learn work skills from hobby classes and others discover a whole new world opening. We even see some students along every evening doing a variety of classes.” Sporting and recreation classes have become popular. For example, someone may want to

learn indoor bowls, but not wish to join a club until they know something about the game. After two terms at Papanui with other people in a similar situation, it is easier to join up with more experienced players. There are very successful self-defence courses for women. This year a new self defence course for men is starting. Another new course is The Treaty of Waitangi. By looking at what the treaty says and its meaning for New Zealand, this course will distinguish between fact, fiction and opinion. China painting and calligraphy courses are also starting this term. Another class, on written English, is for the many people wanting employment, but do not have the necessary basic English skills to apply for a job. Mr Cook says Papanui High School evening classes offer very good value. Classes average at about $36 a year or $lB a term.

A variety of courses are run by the Canterbury Embroiderers’ Guild. These range from one-day courses through to a certificate course. The guild meets on the second Wednesday of the month in the Cranmer Centre (old Girls’ High School). Attending these meetings provides the best first contact with the guild. Anyone interested in embroidery can join and the membership fee includes a free class in basic stitchery. The guild was founded 21 years ago and has 160 members at present. Later this year, the guild holds its biennial exhibition at the C.S.A. Gallery and, in 1992 will be hosting the National Conference of the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’ Guilds. The Christchurch group claims to be very creative and encourages members to design their

own work. The group also offers a stimulating environment for traditional embroiderers. New members are able to learn a variety of techniques and stitchery methods through the various courses and week-end workshops. The more comprehensive, courses starting in February cater for beginners as well as experienced needleworkers.