FACILITIES FOR EDUCATION

Southland Times, Issue 24003, 19 December 1939, Page 12

FACILITIES FOR EDUCATION

Southland Girls* High School The Southland Girt’ High School has throughout New Zealand a welldeserved reputation for sound general education. The academic, cultural and vocational sides of school work are all under the guidance of highly qualified specialist teachers and girls are prepared for professional, business, commercial and home life. . The curriculum has been adjusted to meet the needs of pupils of varying aptitudes and interests, but whatever course of study a pupil adopts she receives a sound general education in English, history, geography, hygiene, sewing, singing, drawing, home science and arithmetic. To these are added the subjects required for university entrance, one or two foreign languages, i.e., Latin and French, and mathematics. Classes in speech training form a valuable part of the work of sixth and fifth form girls. Pupils in all forms are prepared for the Royal Drawing Society’s examinations. t , The commercial side of the school, under two specialist teachers, is on very sound lines and since the reorganization of this course last year a high percentage of passes has been obtained in the junior Government shorthand typists examination. The value in the development of characters of such outside activities as games and physical drill,. training in Guide work, music, dramatic work and dancing is stressed. Both in the classroom and in these numerous outside interests pupils are encouraged to develop self-reliance, co-operation and a sense of responsibility. Southland Boys* High School For 59 years the Southland Boys’ High School has been the leading secondary school of this province. .The success of its pupils in examinations, and their subsequent careers in university courses have long proved the soundness of the education that this school gives to its pupils. The worth of a school can best be judged by the boys it turns out and old boys of the Southland Boys’ High School can be found occupying high posts in New Zealand in medicine, law, engineering, accountancy, commerce, banking, architecture, education and in many branches of the Public Service. A large number of old boys have distinguished themselves overseas. In this school the organization of education has been progressive and has been adjusted from time to time to meet the demands of modern life. Whatever a boy’s future vocation may be—a profession, a business, a trade or farming—there is no substitute for a sound education at a secondary school of established reputation. Besides preparing boys for entrance to alb the professions, the school curriculum provides for a general course and a commercial course. At the same time the cultural side of education is fully provided for in such subjects as art, drawing, musical appreciation, singing, woodwork and public speaking. The school buildings are new and modern in construction. Surrounded by beautiful and spacious grounds the school receives maximum fresh air and sunlight and the health record of its pupils is outstandingly good. In such activities as cadet work, the school band, and athletics the character of the boys is developed without compulsion, boys are encouraged to take part in organized games of which there is a wide variety. Cricket, tennis, and fives are summer games while football, hockey, badminton and harriers are winter activities. Members of the staff are well qualified to give instruction in outdoor games and a gymnastic and physical drill instructor takes every form at least once a week. The time-table is so arranged that country boys lose little school time. The school sells all the books and stationery necessary, at minimum cost. The neat school uniform has been found to be economical in its long wearing ability. For many years an excellent friendly spirit has existed between the* staff and the boys of the school and this co-operation is reflected in the results achieved both in examinations and in athletic activities.