EDUCATION SYSTEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 92, 30 March 1936, Page 8

EDUCATION SYSTEM

United Front to Meet Likely Changes MR. ARMOUR’S COUNSEL The need for united action among old boys of the principal schools in New Zealand was stressed by Mr W. A. Armour, M.A., headmaster of Wellington College, speaking at the annual dinner of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association, held on Saturday night in the Carlton Club Hotel, Hastings. “I see from the report of the Governor-General’s speech in opening Parliament that legis t Lion is planned to bring about the recoustruction of our educational system,” said Mr Armour. ‘‘Many things may arise as a result of this, and old boys of the principal schools ought to take a deep interest in all of Parliament’s considerations in this matter. It may happen that things will be brought up which will not suit our old boys, and there is therefore great need for co-operation and amalgamation so that we can present a united front. ‘‘We do not want a unified system of education or control. There is at present a definite move for the abolition of local bodies, and this will apply, perhaps, to educational bodies. If this occurs, the identity of many of our great schools may tend to be lost. This process may have advantages, but it needs to be watched. From the point of view of efficiency it may be all right, but from other points it has decided disadvantages. “I am, therefore, glad to see the formation of old boys’ associations in different parts of the country. These can speak with a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.” Referring to Wellington College, Mr Armour said that there were now about 78t) boys in attendance, and the staff numbered 31. The ground covered ovdr sixty acres. ‘‘Some say that the school is too big,” said Mr Armour, ‘‘but we can cope with numbers provided we have elbow room.” INDEBTEDNESS TO FOUNDERS. For this reason the school was indebted to the foresight of its founders, who had made ample provision for expansion. The speaker paid special tri Lutes to the late Sir Francis Bell, who had done so much for the school, and whose name was perpetuated in the Bell Memorial Baths which he had given to the college in memory of his son who had been killed in the war. ‘‘More can be done outside than inside the school in the way of character formation,’’ declared Mr Armour. ‘‘Games are not compulsory, however, and we wouldn’t be able to cope with the large number of boys if they were.” All the same about 460 participated of their own accord.