LOCKING BACKWARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 92, 18 April 1912, Page 8

LOCKING BACKWARD.

WHEN ST U A TOP. I) GAME OF AGE. Fifteen years ago Stratford’s .District High School was opened and at way be of interest to our readers to recall what was then written about it. in the Egnvont Settler of Monday, October 11th, 1897, we find a contributed article and we reprint it as under : \ “Stratford comes of age to-day in educational matters. Hitherto we have been dependent upon outside schools for secondary education. To-day we have placed in our hands the possibility of being independent. We are are on our feet. Can we walk? Alucndepends upon the amount of support we give among ourselves. t little timely help now may enable our “infant’ school soon to be selfporting. Many parents scarcely realise the great boon that a high school established in our midst is to their children. If boy or girl wishes to study for the University, they can pass through the whole preparatory course of education, and take the nuv triculatidn examination without being one night away from their home. Our educational system is so arranged and the wants of wonld-ho students so well provided for that any capable children can have the best possible education at a very trifling cost to their parents. One great drawback to giving our children the education wo desire is the necessity of sending them away from home. Wo have to boar the cost of keeping them a wav from home. Our children suffer the loss of being away from home. 'll at home they can help to keep thing? going, and we can help them in man} ways to prepare for life’s journey Tt is within our reach now to have a school established in our midst, sc that our children cam go forward will their education until they are ready for the University, and their characters are somewhat established under their parents’ training. To encourage parents who are. afraid of the expenses after the boys and girls gel to the University we would note that there arc always scholarships for the real students. This year the N.Z. University offers thirty junior scholarships valued £3O per year and £2O per year extra for those who have to board away from home. As the session lasts only six months, this is a vory great help to poor people. Besides the direct benefit to those having ability and inclination to devote themselves to the higher branches cl education, there laro benefits in other ways. Many of pur children will find a great benefit in after life from a year or two’s attendance at the high school. Many do not become conscious of their mental powers and consequently do not take any intelligent lintercst in their studios, till they are in the- sixth standard. Then they would like to learn. If it is-a question of being away from home, in many -cases it becomes an impossibility, but to continue ,on in the same school is a much easier Thing. Then again the very presence and name of the school has a stimulating effect upon teachers and scholars right down to the infant classes. There is a certain indefinable effect produced upon the mind of being trained in a college or university. Knowledge is the same, however acquired, but it-e manner of acquisition makes a vast difference to the possessor. A good dinner will satisfy the craving of hunger even if oaten in solitude, but the same dinner in congenial company is something very different. What is true- cf the college is also, true in a measure of a high school. A greater interest will be taken in the children by the teachers, when they know that they will remain at the school till their school days are- ended. Teachers a,re much the same as other people. If it is -a question of getting a boy past the sixth standard and then pass him on to another who will prepare him for the University and get all the honour. The- teacher will do his duty: but if it is a question of preparing the pupil for the University direct, the teacher being human, and perhaps a little ambitious, will do more. Another consideration not to l>e overlooked is the effect upon those, who as yet do not live in the district. People do move from place to place—even in New Zealand. When thinking of a move certain tilings have to he- considered, and the question of 'education is one considered •by every wise parent. Stratford has many advantages as a place- to settle in, and if we can add the advantage of >a good sound secondary education, many, will he induced to settle here who would otherwise settle in some less advantageous place.” Much of this applies cquaUy to-day—fifteen years after it was written.