EDUCATION FOR BOYS & GIRLS

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 13

EDUCATION FOR BOYS & GIRLS

SPLENDID FACILITIES OFFERED John McGlashan College The John McGlashan College was founded 21 years ago by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and in that period it has taken on the individual characteristics hoped for by its founders. Each boy will, it is believed, find scope for the development of his particular talents, and will do this at the same time as his formal education 'fits him for entrance to farming, professional, or commercial life. There exists in the school many voluntary organizations, almost entirely controlled by the boys themselves, in which mechanical, artistic, and generally constructive aptitudes may find training and adequate expression. The standard of work in, for instance, photographic, model aeroplane, and wireless clubs is more than creditable and dramatic and discussions groups allow secondary school boys to find a natural expression of their personality. The ultimate purpose of these and other activities—cadet corps, Scouts pipe band, organized and voluntary games, physical drill and athletics—is the development of character, the results of which may, to some extent, be measured by the success of old boys, not only in their occupations and academic records, but- in the esteem in which they are held in various parts of their community, religious, social and athletic. Examination results and later university successes prove the soundness of classroom training, but every boy, it is hoped, benefits by the development of personal independence and responsibility, and is encouraged to cultivate his physical and cultural powers. Old boys of John McGlashan College have been especially successful at the University of Otago Medical School and in scientific pursuits, and have established themselves in other parts of the Empire as welj as in New Zealand.

The religious education is carried out by the school chaplain _ and by members of the staff, and Scripture is throughout the school a regular subject. Each master has some activity in his charge as well as. his formal teaching, and the school is lucky in having several masters well qualified to give instruction in games. The two greatest material advantages of this school are its healthy situation in open surroundings and the support of a body of helpful well-wishers.

Southland Technical School

The Southland Day Technical School was established in 1912, and during the 27 years of its existence has had three principals—Dr D. E. Hansen, now principal in Christchurch, Mr W. G. Aldridge, now of Dunedin, and Mr C. A. Stewart, the present head. Right from its inception the school has made an appeal to the people of Invercargill and the surrounding district. They apparently appreciate the system of training in a few fundamental general subjects with a good proportion of more practical work having a more directly vocational aim. •' A notable feature of the school roll has been the continued evenness in the number of boys and girts. In a con educational school this is usually regarded as particularly desirable. The needs of the two sexes receive equal consideration from the Board of Managers and the staff. As most members of the full-time teaching staff are also engaged in evening school work, they are kept in close contact with the needs of employers and with changing conditions in business, commerce and industry. The extensive equipment necessary for evening school students is available for the day pupils, who thus have unusual opportunities of practical training under teachers who have had experience beyond that of school teaching. The Southland Technical School has had a reputation for being a particularly happy institution for both pupils and teachers.

Waitaki Boys’ High School

Waitaki School is situated on the seashore some two miles north of Oamaru in spacious grounds aggregating 75 acres. Distinctive assets of the school are its health record and its splendid range of facilities for outdoor games and activities. The grounds also comprise extensive lawns, shrubberies, and flower gardens, and are beautifully laid out with landscape amenities. The boarding roll is one of the largest in the Dominion, and boys are attracted into residence from all parts of the Dominion. The outdoor dormitory accommodation on the hutment plan supplements by fresh-air sleeping the open-air activities of the day. The school work is organized on the multiple course plan, whereby differentiated curricula are provided on the following lines to meet the aptitudes and interests of the SOO pupils of the senior school:—viz., (1) professional (2) general, (3) agricultural, (4) commercial, (5) manual and industrial. Provision is also made for specialized work in the fine aids.

The organization of education at Waitaki is progressive. It is adjusted to meet the needs of a changing age. Compulsory provision is made for a general cultural education for each pupil, comprising English, history, geography, physiology and first aid, singing and musical appreciation, science, and arithmetic. After that a boy may choose subjects fitting in with his vocational requirements. Increasing provision has been made for metalwork and woodwork, and realistic or technical work of various types. At. the same time the cultural side, especially as regards music, pictorial art, and gardening has a most generous equipment. The Carnegie Corporation of New York has presented opulent sets of art and music-teaching equipment. The agricultural side, under Mr B. B. Blackmore, B.Sc., is especially strong, and has over 60 pupils arranged in three divisions. All these pupils propose to take up farming as their vocation. Their work, in addition to a compulsory nucleus of cultural subjects, comprises chemistry, dairy science, agriculture, commercial work, carpentry and metal work, farm observational work, and wool-classing.

Columba Girls’ College Columba College is rightly in the forefront of educational institutions of its kind in New Zealand. Columba, incorporating the earlier colleges, Girton and Braemar, was established in 1913 under the auspices of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. This step was taken because of the great need in the South Island for a girls’ college where sound education might be combined with religious instruction in a bright, happy, and Christian atmosphere. Thus, after many years, there was realized one of

the dreams of the early settlers of Otago. Columba carries on the Scottish tradition of sound education. In the comparatively short time Since its foundation the college has passed on to the University many who have had there a distinguished scholastic career. In other professions, also, Columba expupils have brought credit to their old college. . At the present time there is provided training from kindergarten to university scholarship standard. In the excellently organized kindergarten and primary department most efficient work is carried on. The secondary department offers an academic course which is a very adequate preparation for university work.

St. John’s Girls’ School

St. John’s Girls’ School, Invercargill, is Southland’s leading private school for girls. Undenominational, it is adequately staffed and equipped for both primary and secondary courses up to University Standard. Under the present principal, Miss Norah Enderby, B.A. (London), the school has grown until it occupies a prominent place among institutions of the kind in the South Island.

The school, which is situated less than a mile from the centre of Invercargill, has an excellent gymnasium and large grounds, giving full opportunity for physical culture and open air classes. Special instruction is given in music, dancing, elocution and- art work of all kinds. Both boarders and day pupils are accepted. Archerfield School The school is an open-air school. It celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday in 1938. The classrooms and sleeping balconies were built according to the plans of Sir Truby King. Girls are prepared for all the necessary public examinations, and games and physical culture have their due place in school activities. The school specializes in its senior department. It plans to keep its senior scholars until 18 years of age. or two years past matriculation. The school is undenominational. Opportunity is given for girls to attend their own churches. The teaching and practice of the Christian way of life is the basis of all school activities, and is stressed as the foundation of all right living.