FILMS IN SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1937, Page 10

FILMS IN SCHOOL

COLLEGE ENTERPRISE

PARENTS AT SCREENING

An important experiment in visual education of^a magnitude greater than any other in New Zealand, and probably also in Australia, was demonstrated to three hundred1 parents'of boys at Wellington College last night.

Towards the end of last year the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) made a'! grant of £100 to Wellington College for the purpose of making an experiment in the use of films for educational purposes. A 16----m.m. film and sound projector was purchased, and efforts were - immediately started by Mr. W. A. Armour, headmaster of Wellington College, and the staff for the collection of money to operate this equipment. Exclusive of the £100 received from the Minister, £400 has been raised by the school, and has been expended in the purchase of a full-sized (35 m.m.) projector for sound and silent films, fire-proof box, and other equipment and furnishings, which were the subject of much praise by the parents last night. Wellington College is a pioneer in the use of sound films, and it is doubtful that there is any other educational institution; even in Australia that is now so well equipped.

The school gymnasium was used last night for the screening of two . travelogues, a sport picture, and an educational "Life Cycle of a Plant." The screening was the first public one, and the audience agreed that in clarity of sound and image, the projection equalled that of the well-equipped theatre. .

Mr. Armour, who welcomed, the guests, described the method of using, the two projectors, and, generally, of carrying out the experiment. The small projector purchased with the Government grant is to be used to show strictly class films, such as geography lessons, while the other projector will bo used for general educational purposes^ He emphasised very strongly the need for the establishment of a central film library, from which films could be circulated. If this were done, he had no doubt that the majority, of schools would immediately purchase projectors.

The chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. L. McKenzie, gave a brief address on recent improvements to the college grounds. The parents were the guests of the college at supper. Items were given between screenings by the string quartet (Messrs. Davies, Meier, Lomas, and Dr. Keys), and by Mr. J. L. Griffin and Mr. B. H. Wakelin.

The Rev. D. C. Bates arrived from Auckland today, and will be staying in Wellington for some days. :