EDUCATION FOR BOYS & GIRLS

Southland Times, Issue 24001, 16 December 1939, Page 15

EDUCATION FOR BOYS & GIRLS

WIDE FACILITIES OFFERED Southland Technical School The full-time day school at the Technical College was opened 28 years ago under Dr D. E. Hansen as principal. Dr Hansen’s ability and his kindly personality made an immediate appeal to the people of Invercargill and district, and when he left after seven years to become principal of Christchurch Technical College, the local school had been firmly established in public esteem. During the following seven years the destinies of the school were most ably controlled by Mr W. G. Aldridge, M.Sc., now principal in Dunedin. By the time he left the numbers had grown from the 150 of 1912 to 500, and there had been great advances in buildings and equipment. Under the present principal, Mr C. A. Stewart, M.A., the growth and development _ have continued practically without interruption, and the number of pupils is now close on 800. ■ ■ , , It is little wonder that with such phenomenal growth the college and departmental authorities have had aiinculty in keeping up building extensions. In 1927 a handsome and well-equipped Home Arts building was erected on the site of old Melrose College. Four year’s ago roomy new workshops for engineering and woodwork took the place ol the old Boys’ High School at the comer of Forth and Conon streets. The Public Works Department is now engaged on plans for a big new building in Forth street to which the home arts building will be a wing. In addition to many class rooms, the new building is to contain administration offices, commodious art rooms, library and an additional typing room. , The Southland Technical High School is the largest outside of the four main centres; in fact on a population. basis and in proportion to total post-primary population it is much larger than any single school in the four centres. At the same time it has a very fine range of equipment for practical work. Of the total full-time staff, of assistant teachers nearly half are engaged in teaching general and so-called “cultural” subjects. Their academic and professional status is sufficient guarantee that “culture” receives due attention. The other teachers are specialists selected on grounds of personal suitability and of practical and successful experience in business, industry, agriculture, commercial art, needlework, and the like. As most of the teachers take a share in Evening School work, they are kept in close touch with changing conditions in the world oi industry and business. In collaboration with the school Vocational Guidance Officer they are able to help in securing suitable employment for pupils, they also maintain contact with former pupils who continue their education in evening classes.

Columba Girls* College Columba College has now had time to establish a reputation in the country for sound education. During the twenty-five years since its foundation many of its students have passed on to the University where they have had a distinguished scholastic career. During 1939 a former Columbia girl graduated in medicine, M.8.Ch.8., three gained the B.A. degree, one the Diploma in Home Science, and two University prizes this year were awarded to Columbia old girls, the Stuart prize and the James Clark prize. In music, four old-girls gained their diploma of L.R.S.M., one A.T.C.L., and one carried off a special prize as being the most promising student in her grade for the whole of New Zealand. At the recent practical examinations of the London Royal Schools of Music the candidates from Columba College were all successful. In the realm of sport this year a Columba tennis champion was a champion of Australia in badminton. The candidate who entered for the shorthand typist examination passed with credit. The syllabus covers a programme of training from kindergarten to University scholarship standard. In the excellently organized kindergarten and primary department efficient work is carried on. The secondary department offers an academic course which is adequate preparation for university work. The domestic science course has already been enlarged upon and includes physiology and hygiene. Girls who wish to enter upon business careers receive thorough training in the commercial course offered. Throughout the college all branches of education are in the hands of competent and enthusiastic specialists. Particular attention is given to the preparation of pupils for public examinations. There has been a succession of fine women at the head of Columba, each of whom has made her particular contribution to the life and traditions of the college. The present principal, Miss C. M. Ashworth, exercises a farreaching influence on the lives of the girls. Parents may have every confidence that they are doing their best for the welfare of their daughters when they entrust them to the care of Columba College. 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 individual talents, and will do this at the same time as his formal education fits him for entrance to farming, professional, or commercial life. There exist 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 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, gymnastics, 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 well 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 wellwishers. 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 300 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 arts.

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; ■ The staff of 20 graduates includes specialists in art, music, singing, agriculture, commercial work, metal work, and woodwork. St, Kevin*s College St. Kevin’s College, situated two and a-half miles north from the town of Oamaru, is unrivalled in the excellence of its climate, the grandeur of its situation, and the fascinating beauty of its environment.

The ordinary college course embraces Latin and French languages and literatures, ancient history, English language, literature, and history, elementary and higher mathematics, elementary physics and chemistry. A course in wool-class-ing and technical work may be taken. In all the classes special emphasis is laid on English composition, the correct pronunciation of the English language, spelling, arithmetic, and hand-writing, Elocution and public speaking, singing, and instrumental music are also taught. In these troubled times when European civilization is threatened with destruction, it may be well to remind ourselves that the only true safeguard against disruptive forces is to establish our society on a truly Christian basis. To do this we must begin with the

child, and educate him in the knowledge of his Creator and of his own supernatural destiny. The spiritual equipment of the college has been reinforced by the zealous ministrations of the Rev. Dr O’Neill, kindly appointed as resident chaplain by his Lordship the Bishop. The boys have now the inestimable graces of daily Mass and Holy Communion. Many improvements have been introduced during 1939. Recently the new swimming baths were officially opened, and are admired by all by reason of their beautiful site and completeness in every detail. A new recreation hall is another very fine addition. It is 79 feet long and 30 feet -wide, ■with a stage of similar width and a depth of 18 feet. A large fireplace in nice design and of tapestry bricks will dispense heat and a cheerful atmosphere during the winter months. A neatly equipped infirmary convenient to the dormitories was recently completed, while yet another addition is an enlarged room where woodwork and technical drawing are taught. Finally a new college oval is now in course of preparation, and will be, when completed, a great adjunct to the sporting and recreational facilities of the college. 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 rapidly until today it occupies a prominent place among institutions of the kind in the South Island. Miss Enderby is leaving early in the New Year for England where she will study recent developments in education. During her absence the school will be carried on by Miss E. Nicholson, B.A. (Oxon.) and a capable staff. 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.