SUMMER SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 19459, 26 January 1925, Page 6

SUMMER SCHOOL

TEACHERS’ ANNUAL OUTING. LECTURES AT STEWART ISLAND LAUNCH TRIPS TO POINTS OF INTEREST. (Our Special Reporter.) HALF MOON BAY, January 24. After a somewhat tempestuous trip across the Strait to Stewart Island on Wednesday last the 120 teachers who are attending the Summer School organised by the Southland branch of the Educational Institute made a commencement with the week’s programme in the Athaeneum Hall at Half Moon Bay in the evening, when a public welcome was accorded them by the Rev John Watt, on behalf of the County Council and also of the residents. Therp was a large attendance, the hall being filled, and the remarks of the Chairman which were made in a humorous vein provoked some amusement. Mr Watt referred to the somewhat rough handling that many of the visitors had received that day in the voyage over and the only reason that he could assign for Father Neptune having been so ungenerous was that he had become incensed at the exceptionally long spell of fine weather which had prevailed recently and had determined to have his revenge bn the teachers when they crossed for their week’s sojourn in the Island. He, the speaker, could assure the visitors that the Island was a beautiful little place and he sincerely trusted that they would enjoy their stay, and anything which either the County or the residents could do to increase the pleasure of the teachers’ holiday he had been authorised to say it would be done. Mr G. F. Griffiths, in acknowledging the welcome extended, thanked the Chairman for his remarks and the residents for their promised assistance. From all that he had heard of Stewart Island it was a lovely spot and though the trip had not been by any means an inviting one they were ready to forget that and looked forward to a pleasant week of work and also enjoyment. Mr Griffiths apologised for the absence of the President of the branch (Mr J. Lenihan) and also of Professor Condliffe who had found it impossible to attend at the last moment. They had hoped to have the senior inspector, Mr D. A. Strachan, with them in Professor Condliffe’s place, but he, too, had to decline on account of urgent duties. The teachers were deeply indebted to Professor Shelley, of Canterbury College for having again consented to take charge of the school and he could assure his hearers that the Professor, who was recognised as one of the leading authorities in the Dominion on educational matters, would give some very valuable advice and favour them with his views on many leading questions during the progress of the school. Professor Shelley was heartily applauded, and after he had briefly expressed his views regarding the value of a summer school such as they were about to commence, he entertained the audience with a reading from John Galsworthy's farcical morality play “The Little Man,” which was greatly enThe real work of the School commenced on Thursday morning at 9.30 when Mr W. Martin delivered an introductory lecture connected with the “Nature Rambles” which are being undertaken by the teachers under his direction during the week and an hour later Professor Shelley lectured -on “The Problems of National and International Ethics.” In the afternoon the visitors engaged in an excursion by motor launch t-o Ulva and on their return in the evening a further lecture was given by Professor Shelley on “Educational Testing. ’ A series of lectures on historical subjects is to be given by Mr A. K. Anderson, headmaster of St. Andrew’s College, Christchurch, who has kindly consented to fill the breach caused by Professor Condliffe’s absence. LAUNCH TRIPS AND LECTURES. Though a high westerly wind at Stewart Island last Friday morning to an extent spoilt the programme mapped out for that day by the Committee responsible for the conduct of affairs in connection with the Teachers’ Summer School at Half Moon Bay a very enjoyable day’s outing was spent in Paterson’s Inlet and the three launches used to convey the large party to the different bays were crowded. When Golden Bay was left shortly after 10.30 a.m, a fair sea was running and on that account it was deemed advisable to visit Kaipipi Beach where luncheon was partaken of and a very interesting time was spent in exploring the bush and also in inspecting the work in progress at McCallum’s sawmill situated there. Subsequently Mr Martin explained the procedure for identifying the different species of ferns and then the party boarded the launches and set out on a trip further up the Inlet which by this time has become a sea of glass as a result of the wind having dropped right away. The return journey was commenced about a quarter to four and a pleasant hour’s run saw everyone safety back at the landing stage after a most interesting and enjoyable outing. In the evening Professor Shelley contributed a portion of a reading from “Joan of Arc,” after which an impromptu concert was held, items being contributed by Misses M. Cardina, H. Hutt, T. Stevenson, C. Wilkie, G. Parry and Messrs A. Clark, J. Lopdell, D. Leckie and L. Brown and Mrs Davidson. At the conclusion of the concert, at which encores were demanded from every performer, dancing was indulged in until midnight. LECTURES RESUMED. 0n Saturday morning the syllabus was reverted to, lectures being given by Mr A. K. Anderson, Principal of St. Andrew’s College, of Christchurch, who is at present on a holiday visit to the Island and who kindly consented to take Professor Condliffe’s place at the School, on the teaching of History, and by Professor Shelley, who gave a further instalment of his lecture in regard to Educational Testing. In the afternoon a large number of teachers walked over to Horse Shoe Bay where Mr Martin again addressed them on matters concerning ferns and shells. At night the subject chosen by Professor Shelley for his address was “The Importance of Reading Aloud,” at the conclusion of which he continued his reading of the play “Joan of Arc.” The only fixture arranged for Sunday was a reading by Professor Shelley from 9.30 until 10.45 a.m. of John Masefields “Good Friday.” Further lectures will be held to-day and Tuesday and the School will be brought to a close on Wednesday when the individual teachers will return to their respective home in readiness for the re-open-ing of their schools the following week.