RADIO IN SCHOOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 158, 19 June 1936, Page 4

RADIO IN SCHOOL

Address System at Hastings Central PUBLIC CEREMONY An important event in tho history of the “mother school” of education in Hastings, tlio Central School, anil one that ushers in a new era, took placo yesterday afternoon when u radio public-address system was officially opened in the school. This is tho first set to be installed in a school in tlio Hawke’s Buy Education Board’s district. There was an assemblage of about 500 for the ceremony, many parents being present in addition to the children. Ou the platform, erected in the quadrangle, there were Messrs W. 8. Bennett (chairman of the Central School Committee), G. A. Maddison chairman of tho Hawke’s Bay Education Board), W. L. Dunn, 11. ParkerIrmitli (headmaster) and representatives of other school committees in Hastings, together with several headmasters. A welcome to the parents and visitors was extended by Mr Bennett, who expressed appreciation of the work of those members of the old committee who had sought re-election recently cm the present committee, for their valuable services, especially in connection with the preliminary discussions and arrangements for the installation of the system. Ho and others keenly interested in the school took keen pride in the fact that it was the Central School which was to bo the first school in the district to install the system, for it was considered a notable achievement. “Most people know by now that the Government has definitely stated that it intends to extend the broadcast services in the direction of giving added facilities to schools,” he said. “It has also been declared by the Government that it intends to have a radio set installed in every school. That is a very fine and big ideal. Personally I feel that the time will come when that ideal will be a reality. However, wo have not wailed for that time to come but have succeeded in anticipating that period. ’ ’ NOT A WASTE OF MONEY. Mr Bennett mentioned that there were few people who thought that a radio in the school was only waste of money, and he contended that this was far from being tho case. A more advantageous and comprehensive course of education w r ould be possible as the result of the broadcasts than was at present the case. Different types of lessons, such as lectures on music, art an.l other subjects, would be made available. There W’as further scope for the radio system in the matter of religious teaching, in that the whole school, instead of a portion, could be addressed by the speaker at the one time, he added. The headmaster, too, would be able to address all the school on any particular subject without having to call all the pupils together or to visit every classroom in turn. Outlining the work entailed in the installation of tho system and giving a description of it, Mr Bennett extended congratulations Io Mr D. Rees, of the Radio and Electrical Equipment Service, on the excellence of the system, which, lie said, it was pleasing to know had been wholly made and constructed in Hastings. At the present time there were six loud-speakers installed, but provision was made for more and also for a microphone when finances would allow. “There is one thing that I do wish to stress, and that is that because we have installed this system we have not dropped the idea of a new school,” said Mr Bennett. “Wo intend to strive ns hard as ever to secure a new school and get it as soon as possible. The radio system has been installed in such a manner that it can be readily dismantled and removed if necessary without incurring any great expense.” “FIRST-CLASS JOB.” The chairman then called upon Mr Dunn, who, he said, had taken a very keen and active interest in the installation of the system. Mr Dunn congratulated the committee on its enterprise and also congratulated Mr Rees on the lino job he had made of the installation. “It is a first - class iob,” ho said, “and should give very fine service.” The headmaster, Mr H. Parker-Smith, declared that it was a “red-letter day” for the school, and on behalf of the stalT and tlio •pupils he thanked the committee for providing the system. Ho assured tlio committee that the children did appreciate the broadcasts, ami would appreciate them even more tn future. When officially declaring the system installed, Air Maddison said that the present occasion opened up a new era in education and he, too, congratulated tlio committee on its enterprise ami added his mode of praise to the successful installation. “Unfortunately this school, in com mon with the greater majority of other schools, is not blessed with an assembly hall,” said Mr Maddison. “Tho radio system, however, will take the place of such a hall and as such will be of considerable usefulness and service to the school. I believe that before long every school of any consequence will be so equipped that it will be able to avail itself of the national broadcasts, which will become a I very big and important part in edueai lien. ’’ By merely flicking a switch Mr Maildi'son brought the ceremony to a fitting close by turning on the system, and immediately the corridors and classrooms were filled with music. Following an inspection of the system the parents and visitors were entertained at afternoon-tea by members of the ladies’ committee, to whom thanks and appreciation were extended.