HOME SCIENCE ALUMNÆ

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22356, 1 September 1934, Page 22

HOME SCIENCE ALUMN Æ

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED BUSINESS MEETING IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED The conference of the Otago University Association of Home Science Alumnae, which has been proceeding throughout the week, was concluded ywterday, when the principal item was the business meeting, held in the afternoon. The president (Dr Elizabeth Gregory) occupied the chair, and there Wat a large attendance. Professor Strong, dean of the faculty ef home science, invited members of the association to visit the Home Science Department at any time they were able in order to eee the work of the department in progress and to renew associations. She expressed the hope that aomething in the way of a refresher Course could be arranged.

It was explained that the material contained in the remits discussed would h* referred back to the members, and after a certain period it would be reviewed again by the New Zealand Executive and then sent on to the Director «| Education. MEMORIAL TABLET.

Miss V. Macmillan moved on the following linear —“It is proposed that, bearing in mind the enormous debt which the whole home science movement owea to the late Colonel John Studholme, both as investigator and constant supporter of the' department, the Alumna Committee invite subscriptions from members for the purpose of procuring a commemorative tablet or plaque to be erected in a prominent position in the Home Science Building.”—The remit was adopted after a abort discussion. ASSISTANCE TO INDIAN STUDENT.

A remit was discussed, “That support be given by the association to aid in giving an Indian woman the opportunity to attend the Home Science Depannent of Otago University for one year.” Miss Anderson (Napier) said that in her opinion the proposal was an excellent „ one, as it would . enable the Indian woman to gain knowledge which she could disseminate in her own country, where it was very much needed. She thought the association should bo able to raise the sum of approximately £(10, which would be necessity for the visitor's board at Studholme House. — Dr Gregory said the University Council had already agreed to grant remission of fees to two such women should it be necessary. The association would have to raise the board, and she thought they might get a grant of £lO to £2O from the Dunedin branch of the International Federation of University Women. —It was decided to take immediate steps to raise sufficient money to enable the proposal to be carried out. DIETITIANS’ ASSOCIATION. A remit was carried in the following terms:—“That the qualified dietitians in New Zealand form an association, the association to form a group within the Otago University Association of Home Science Alumnce.” It was explained that the object of the remit was to protect qualified dietitians and to endeavour to have openings made for them in public institutions throughout New Zealand. REFRESHER COURSES. ’ The following remit was submitted by the Conference Executive:—“That, in view of the fact that there is a desire for refresher courses, the New Zealand Executive consider the possibility of arranging such courses, and approach the Otago University regarding arrangement, cost of these, etc,, the duration of which it is suggested should be a fortnight, when an intensive course in oho subject could be taken. —Professor Strong said she had .no doubt that, if the matter of time could be arranged, the. University Council would comply with any requests in that direction.— The remit was carried, emphasis being laid on the necessity for classes not to be unwieldy, SYLLABUS RECOMMENDATIONS.

Syllabus recomniendations were received as follows: — “ That all teachers .attending the conference study the material collected by the post primary, technical and manual training discussion groups after the termination of the conference, and return it with their considered opinion as to practicability and correlation, to their conveners by October 1, 1934.”—Carried.

“ That the alumna empower the New Zealand Executive to send the following motion forward to the Department of Education: —That the Director of Education be asked to set up a recess committee to consider the suitability of the suggested syllabus, the suggested personnel of which be as follows:—Director of technical education, secondary schools’ senior inspector, dean of the home science faculty. Dr Gregory, head of the Chemistry and Nutrition Department of the Home Science School, and one home science teacher appointed by each of the following:—New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association, New Zealand Technical Schools’ Association, and New Zealand teachers’ Institute. — It was decided to add to the personnel of the committed the name of Miss A. M. Bowbyes, of the clothing department, with which alteration the remit was carried. HOME SCIENCE GROUP.

The honie science discussion group made the following recommendations; — (1) “The home science discussion group recommends that the following be forwarded to the dean of the home science faculty-That the University be asked to amply as follows the wording. of .the food section of the university entrance home science prescription so as to give a clearer interpretation of the work required: An elementary experimental study of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, mineral matter and vitamins, with special reference to the principles involved in cooking the different types of foods; the composition and structure of milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, root and green vegetables, fruits, nuts apd the cereals and legumes in common use in this country; the proportion of water in foods; changes in character of foods due to cooking; a (Study of enzyme action as concerned in the digestion of foods and the action of yeast; raising agents; the use of air, baking powder, yeast.” —The recommendation was held over in order that it might be further considered. (2) “That certificates of practical work in science subjects be endorsed A, B or C, according to merit, so that some credit could be given for initiative and originality during the course, each endorsements to be taken into consideration in border line cases in the subject concerned.” —Approved. (3) “That biology shall be included as an optional subject for the intermediate examination.” —Approved, ■ MANUAL TRAINING.

The following remits were presented by the Manual Training Discussion Group:—

1. “ That the outline of the syllabus for manual training work be uniform for New Zealand.”—Approved. 2. “That in the future only /ally qualified home science graduates (including holders of degree or diploma) be sp-

pointed as advisory inspectors of manual training or home science work in New Zealand.”—The opinion was expressed that it was hardly the duty of the association to make recommendations on that particular matter, but on the motion being put to the meeting it was carried with a large majority. S. “ That the maximum number in manual training classes be 20 pupils to one teacher.”—Approved.

4. “That in the interests of manual training work the teaching hours bo 25 per week with a minimum period of two hours.”—Approved. “That students wishing to do manual training work be permitted to put in a period of up to one year’s additional training as probationary assistants in manual training centres following their home science course.” —Miss Shaw (Christchurch) said the idea of the remit was to avoid the position whereby a young teacher went straight from her home science course to a centre where she was alone, and where she would encounter a large number of difficulties. It would bo much better if she could have the advantage of the additional experience.—The remit was adopted. “HOUSEHOLD ARTS.” A remit to change the present name “ domestic science ” to “ household arts ” was carried. TRAINING HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANTS. Some discussion took place on the icmit “ That this conference recommends that the Education Department should establish residential training centres ior young girls to train as household assistants, and that if such a scheme is developed some standardisation of wages and conditions be made.” —It was explained that a certain amount of work was at present being done in that connection among unemployed girls, but because it had no recognised status it was not progressing. Its adoption by the Education Department would -undoubtedly be valuable. —Explaining the position as it existed in England, Miss Betty Stewart (Wellington) said that in ’a centre in that country where tlm training of domestic sen-ants was carried oat by the Board of Education girls of the age of about 12 to 14 who had come on scholarships from the primary schools were in residence for three months, and received their tuition from home science graduates. She thought that, if a similar system were introduced in New Zealand, it would materially reduce the number of unemployed girls, as there would be a good demand for properly trained domestic servants. —Several speakers referred to the fact that where attempts had been made to assist unemployed girls by offering them tuition, they bad failed through lack of applicants. —Dr Gregory said she thought that, if a scheme were properly instituted under the Education Department, in a small way at first, it should be successful if care was exercised in selecting a suitable course and getting girls into the right type of home.—The remit was adopted, and it was decided that a copy should be sent to the National Council of Women. SEWING AND DRESSMAKING.

The following remits were con sidered:—

(1) “Whereas there is very little standardisation of the degree of proficiency in sewing amongst girls leaving different primary schools, the conference of Home Science Alumna advocates that a definite time of one hour per week for Standards I to IV, and two hours per week for Standards V and VI, should be given in all primary schools for the subjects of dressmaking and needlework, including garment construction, and that this work should be in the hands of a sewing specialist teacher appointed by the department to assume complete control in any school or any group of schools.” —Approved. (2) “This conference recommends that pattern making be taught, not necessarily by drafting as hitherto required by the syllabus, but that the making of a foundation pattern be substituted, and that it may be obtained by methods such as freehand drawing from individual body measurements, by adaptation of commercial patterns, or by modelling on the figure.” —Approved. EXTENSION SERVICE. It was proposed by Mrs M. C. Allan and seconded by Miss V. Macmillan that whereas extension workers find that the effectiveness of the home science principles and methods taught at schools is destroyed through lack of parental interest and co-operation, and that teachers, by reason of the size of their classes and the amount of after school work, cannot give sufficient time to contacting with parents, it is urged as a recommendation from the extension group that efforts be made to reduce the size of classes and that teachers be given more time and facilities for out-of-school educational work. —Carried. THE CONSTITUTION. ‘ It was decided that the Otago University Association of Home Science Alumnae be composed of provincial associations, with a New Zealand Executive resident in Dunedin, that the period of office of the New Zealand Executive be two years, and that a reunion be held every four years. It was also resolved that provincial associations be formed, and delegates from each district were empowered to act in that direction. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers of the New Zealand body resulted as follows: President, Dr Gregory; New Zealand Executive —Professor A. G. Strong (representing the University), Miss S. Bagley (post primary teachers), Miss 0. Anderson (technical school teachers). Miss H. Jeans (manual training centres). Miss E. M. Reid (extension service), Miss W. Stenhouse (hospital dietitians), and Mrs M. Samson (home makers). Miss M. A. Blackmore, of Christchurch, was elected an honorary life member of the association in recognition of her work in the interests of home science. , It was decided that all women who held degree diplomas or a recognised certificate in any branch of home science should be admitted to active membership of the association. VOTES OP THANKS. , Votes of thanks were passed to the following:—The University Council; the Students’ Association; the speakers at the conference (Dr Ada Paterson, Dr Hercus and Mr W. H. Service) ; Professor A. G. Strong; Dr Gregory; Miss A. N. E. Scott; the office staff; and others.

in the mprning lectures and demonstrations were given, and a farewell supper was held at Stndholme House in the evening.