IN THE MELTING-POT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 15, 12 October 1928, Page 8

IN THE MELTING-POT

EDUCATION SYSTEM OF NEW ZEALAND

VIEWS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ ASSOCIATION

A somewhat belated report of the annual meeting of the Secondary Schools’ Association held in Wellington has just been released.

‘‘Never in the past history of the education system of New Zealand has its existing order and line of future development been so wholly in the melting-pot, and never has there been waged by all sections of the community such a controversial warfare with respect to the content and articulation of the educational programme,” states the report issued by the executive. "At this juncture, then, it is of more than passing interest to record that the registered secondary schools of New Zealand have formed an association with the specific objects not only of representing, safeguarding, and promoting the interest of registered secondary schools, but also of co-operating with the Education Department and all educational organisations for the advancement of education. That these schools have more than justified their existence is evident from the fact that they have supplied a need in the community as testified by the rapid increase to the present number of 43, that they have demonstrated their efficiency, that individually they have made their impress on the education of. this country not only by thenproduct, but also by their experimental work along original and freer lines. “The association took its rise late in 1927 when a general meeting of the principals of all the registered secondaryschools was convened in Wellington. Since then, states the report, district committees in the four centres were set up for the purpose of considering and reporting upon the present matriculation syllabus, and these committees have already done useful work, Auckland in particular showing considerable enthusiasm and enterprise. “Subsequently a deputation from the association waited upon the Director of Education and acquainted him with the existence of the new association and with its aims and spirit. Several specific matters closely touching registered schools were then laid before him. lhe Director of Education received the deputation very sympathetically, slating that he appreciated the desire of the association to co-operate with the Department, and that the Department also desired to co-operate with all education activities. It is certain that much good will result from that interview. “Last May marked another step forward in the progress of the association, when a general meeting was held and a constitution formally adopted. A deputation from the meeting waited upon the executive of the SecondarySchools’ Association, then meeting in Wellington, to make overtures for affiliation in some measure with the latter association for. the purpose of discussing purely educational matters that were common to both associations, seeing that they- were already united in their concern' for the welfare of young New Zealanders. The president, in a warm welcome, expressed himself sympathetically and stated that he trusted that any difficulties in the way might be removed and general co-operation result.

“There is no doubt,” concludes the report, “that this association of registered secondary schools with its desire for cooperation all round will go far towards stimulating a consolidation of thought on education in New Zealand, and that its overtures of co-operation will tend to accelerate that ‘getting together’ of all the education factors in the country. This ideal is the inarticulate yearning of young New Zealand.”

At the meeting of the association, the following schools were represented:— Christ’s College, Christchurch; Collegiate School, Wanganui, St. Patrick’s College, Wellington; King’s College, Auckland ; St. Bede’s College, Christchurch; Te Ante College, Pukehou; Wesley College, Paerata; Scots’ College, Wellington ; St. Kevin’s College, Oamaru; Sacred Heard College, Auckland; Woodford House, Hastings; Marsden Collegiate School, Wellington; Welleslej- College, Wellington ; Columba College, Dunedin ; lona College, Havelock North; Diocesan School, Marton; Queen Margaret College, Wellington; Chilton St. .Tames, Lower Hutt; Amberley House, Canterbury ; Diocesan High School, Auckland; St. Cuthbert’s Presbyterian School, Auckland ; St. Margaret's College. Christchurch ; St. Mary’s College, Ponsonby; Sacred Heart Convent, Remuera; St. Andrew’s College, Christchurch; John McGlashan College, Dunedin: Sacred Heart College, Christchurch ; Dominican Convent, Dunedin; Christian Brothers, Dunedin. Apologies for absence were received from twelve other schodls, most of which expressed themselves ready to cooperate in the movement. The officers of the association are:— President, Rev. E. C. Crosse (Christ’s College) ; vice-president. Rev. Father Gilbert (St. Patrick’s College) ; secretary, H. Amos (Wellesley College) ; executive committee, the president of the HeadMistresses’ Association, ex-officio. Miss Baber (Marsden School), Dr. Geaney (St. Bede’s), the Rev. Pierce (Wanganui Collegiate School), and J. H. Murdoch (Scots’ College).