DIVERGENT IDEAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 17

DIVERGENT IDEAS

EDUCATIONAL THEORY SCHOOLS AS BATTLEGROUND EPSOM GIRLS' GRAMMAR Tho fenr that the schools might become the battleground of conflicting ideologies was expressed by the vicechairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. J. Stanton, when speaking at the annual prize-giving ceremony of the Epsom Girls' Grammar School in tho assembly hall of tho Auckland Grammar School last night. Ho said ho doubted whether there had been any other timo when so much discussion and so many divergent ideas wcro apparent in education. Thoro was tho ago-old battlo between those who urged a cultural education and those who insisted that it should bo practical, Mr. Stanton stated. Another contentious question was tho problem of examinations, but ho noticed that this cry came mainly from tho lay reformer, and that tho tenchcrs, almost without exception, thought that ono should hesitnto beforo throwing awny such a valuable touchstone. They knew tho difficulties, but probably realised that these might bo increased if tho examination test? wpro removed. A Reasonable Combination Tho ideal in education, ho added, was a reasonable combination of conflicting theories, and this had tho disadvantage of converting all schools into schools with all classes. Ho also suggested that some change might be made to enable girls to develop their particular faculties to a greater extent than was possible under a system common to both boys' and girls' education. Tho work of the school throughout tho year was reviewed by tho headmistress, Miss A, L. Loudon. Sho said tho roll number in March had boen 621—a slight advanco on tho previous year—-and the number had been well maintained. Sho regretted that she could report no progress whatovor in tho direction of providing bettor buildings; nor had any step been taken to provide tho hostel that was urgently needed for tho largo number of country pupils. Tho Bonrd of Governors was sympathetic in tho matter, but tho needs would hrivo to ho brought more urgently beforo tho Minister of Education. Celebration of Anniversary The school had celebrated the 21st anniversary of its founding in March, Miss Loudon continued. To commemorate the occasion, the present pupils had presented a specially designed clock, with the school motto and crest on the case, to be placed in the hall. Tho prizes woro presented by Mr. Stanton, and tho sports trophies wero distributed by Miss A. W. Whitelaw, who, in an address to the pupils, pointed out tho opportunities which they possessed in gaining their secondary education at a school of the standing and with tho traditions of tho Epsom Girls' Grammar School. Choral and orchestral items wero given by tho pupils during the ovening, BUSINESS COLLEGE STANDARD MAINTAINED COMMERCIAL CLASSES A successful year was reviewed by Mr. A. W. Shepherd, a principal of tho Aucklnnd Business Collogo, nt the annual prize distribution eoremon.v of "the' college yesterday. The students maintained tho standard of tho college, he added, in securing good places in Government examinations for shorthand typists. The number of students on tho roll was slightly higher than last year. In presenting the certificates. Mr. C, R. .A uinro emphasised the desirabilitv of having some tangible evidence of standards attained in tho commercial world. He enumerated tho qualities of character and qualifications expected by employers. Details of the awards are as follows: — Special Prizes. —Government examinations: R. D. E. Peacocke. A. Brewer, C. D. Miller. E. M McGowan Best typist of the year: Z. Caplen. Runner-up in typing: R. Stainton. Book-keeping: S. E. Entrican. N. R. Crcber. E. W, Macky. General all-round progress: N. V. Brown, P. E. Lock.ver, M. Skudder. Highest shorthand speed of the year: R. D, E. Peacocke. , Collopre Diplomas in Shorthand and Typewriting.—Z. Caplen, E. McOowan, C, Miller, O. Nicholson, J, Ockolford, P. Page. C. Young, M. Bowden. B. Brindle, C. Capper, M. Cowper. J. Davies, J. Hewson, I. Hollett. A. Ingham, D. Maher, R. Stainton, R. Tonkin. N. Creber, V. Dymock, J. Reid, N. Thomas, D. Amott. B. Ansell, A. Blair. M. Branwhite, R. Brodie. .7. Harper, S. Knight, L. Littler, G. Marshall. O. Morris, J. Sherwin, E. Spalding. H. To Ao. F, Turner, M. Bond. T. Bougher, 8. Oodlin. G. Coles. S. Entrican S. Eustace. P. naslett, M. Haslett, M. Headdey, V. Isbister, M. JackKon, A. Loughman, E. Macky. G. Paul. P. I eryer. h. Rennell. J. Smith, N. Stonnont, 11. rapuretu. College Book-keeping Diplomas.—S. E. Entrican, N. R. Creber, E. \V. Macky, E. M. Jackson, E. M. McGowan, M. Branwhite. J. N. Hewson, F. J. Jessop. R. Currle C. V G. Dymock, T. 17. Tonkin, C. Hall. .T. W. Ockelford, T. Bougher, M. M. Bond, J. B. Richards M. Hodges. D. Amott, B. M. Ansell, A. A. Blair, X. Thomas. College Certificates for. Typewriting awarded during tho year.—T. o«tes, B. Brindle, C. Johnson. A. Ingham. Mi IrimHc, G. Coles. R. Stainton, J. Harper, P. England. R. Brodie, J. Davies, Z. Canlrn, C. Miller. J. Hewson, 0. Morris, Is. Creber, D. Mnh"> P. Page, V. Dymock. E. Macky, R. Knight, O Nicholson, G. Barker. J. Held, N. Daniels. B. Marshall, M. Cowper, E. Spalrlintr. C. Capper, A. Blair. 11. To Ao, G. 1 aul, !*■ Thompson, P. Turner, E. McGowan. X Brown. M. Haslett. M. Fox, M I Tonkin, M. Branvhite, D. Amott, b Entrican, B. Ansell, B. Richards. , Latest Shorthand Awards by 1 itman s Examination Board.—l7o words a m nute: B X>. E. Peacocke. 110 words a minute: Z. Caplen, B. Marshall, D. Maher, P. Page. R. Stainton, N. Daniels, 0. Mcholson, C. Miller. 130 words 0 minute: A. Ingham, M. Bowden E. M. McOowan, V, Dpock, R. lonkin 8 Knight, J. Hewson, R. Thompson. C . Johnson N. Newport, , P '. Enp T l an( }; r ; T m |u v' ford. 120 words a minute: B. Brindle. a 'l'homns 110 words a minute: J. Davies, 10 > & \r n .,i> v a nn r. IT. Ic Ao, AI. J IIIICII. i. Pollard. J'. WhcrwMn.Tl.TepuretU' M. Benl T n ßVlo?!°J fiß 'Co?k. O ®. ho words 'a minuto: D. Lewis, O- Stewart. A. Halford-Thompson, A. btormont.