SPECIAL CLASSES AT MOUNT COOK SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 10

SPECIAL CLASSES AT MOUNT COOK SCHOOL

ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF WORK The “special” or sub-normal classes of the Mount Cook School district arc housed in a shabby and depressing building in Buckle Street, which, for some fifty years or so, served as the chief school for girls in Wellington Central There, under Miss Jessie Johnston. Miss Emerson, and Mrs. Connell, the children are treated in an entirely different manner to the rest in the endeavour to ascertain their particular aptitudes. Once that aptitude is discovered the pupil can be trained to do certain things which otherwise he .or she might be considered unfitted for. The “discovered aptitude” is the guide to the mind. Those who have any doubt on the point should visit the annual exhibition of work which is being held nt present. The exhibition was visited yesterday by the chairman of the Wellington Education Board (Mr. T. Forsyth), who expressed the warmest admiration of the variety mid quality of the handiwork of the children. The boys had turned out. a serveieable selection of tea-trays, cake dishes, basketware, toys of all kinds' and the girls showed their talent in fine needlework, fancy work, ornamental jewel cases, and pretty little brooches. There were a hundred and one things of use or ornament, and all were for safe. The exhibition will be open again to-day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Among those present yesterday afternoon were Dr. Gray, of the Mental Hospital’s Department, and Dr. Agnes Bennett.

Miss Johnston, who received part of her training in this branch of teaching in Canada, the United States, and England, informed n “Dominion” reporter yesterday tiiat there was no great variation in the percentage of “special” cases in the various countries of the world. The New Zealand percentage was just about the same as is the United States and Canada, but an increase was shown in the huge congested cities of the Old Country.