TE AWAMUTU COLLEGE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6543, 23 July 1948, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COLLEGE

PARENT-TEACHER MEETING BRAINS TRUST DISCUSSION Mr A. E. Bryant, chairman, presided over an audience of nearly 200 people in the College Hall on Monday evening wren a brains trust discussion was held. Proceedings opened with two musical items. Mrs Knox Clarke, the well known soprano, sang two delightful songs: “Have You Seen A Whyte Lily Grow?” and “A Funny Fellow." Mr Leslie P. Haynes contributed two violin solos, Schubert’s and Gounod’s “Ave Maria.” The capable accompanist for both artists was Mrs Nicholson. The main business of the evening was a brains trust, discussing questions of educational importance. Apologia were received from Mr A. J. Sinclair and Mr Swarbrick, two original members of the panel. The panel, under Question-master A. G. A. Baigent, consisted of Mirs M. K. Macky, Mrs G. A. Gibbs, Miss Margaret Murtagh (sixth form), Dr K. N. Hiskens, Messrs G. D. Warring, E. W. W|hite, and A. R. Hill, and Master lan McKenzie (sixth form). The panel was accomodated on the stage and introduced to the audience by the question-master. It was evident from the large audience, that the brains trust had evoked considerable local interest. The increased attendance augurs well for the future of the Association.

The first question “Should the school leaving age be raised to 16 years ? ” was opposed by Mrs Gibbs and Mr While, but supported by Margaret Murtagh. The second question: “In the wider curriculum of schools under present educational policy, do you consider sufficient practice is given in the three R’s ? ” Mr A. Hill, Mr E. White and I. McKenzie ably debated various aspects and the audience appreciated subtle touches of humour.

Question three: “Who has the greater effect on the child—the parent or the teacher?” showed that the panel was unanimous in the belief that the parent exerted the greater effects.

Question four proved to be one of the most interesting. “Do children lose more than they gain by receiving a boarding school education?” The principal speakers, Mr Warring, Dr Hiskens, Mr Hill and Mrs Macky, felt that boarding school benefited children of 13 years of age, Margaret Murtagh dissenting. Question five: “Has education in New Zealand a philosophy or goal or aim; and if so, what is it?’—was treated rather charily by the panel, leaving the impression that there may be a goal, but that the goal is infrequently attained. ' Question six: “Is the new look in education as attractive to the mind as the new look in dress is to the eye?”—All members of the panel had views on this question, and Mir Hill raised a gust of hearty laughter with his contributions.

Question seven: “To-day the promoters of films, newspapers, radio and music, tend to give the people what they want. How can we raise the standards of taste in schools when adults accept low standards of mass culture in this commiercialised era?” —Although various speakers deplored the lowering effects of constant reading of comics, thrillers, etc., it was felt that no great harm was done if better literature were introduced to children. The home influence too in matters of taste, is of paramount importance.' Question eight: “Should the accrediting system be retained for University Entrance, or should every pupil have to sit an examination?”—l. McKenzie received applause for his thoughtful contribution to this topic. Not all speakers fully realised the implications of accrediting. Question nine: “Are i-q’s inescapable like measles?”—Mr White and Dr Hiskens discussed this fully, Dr Hiskens claiming that i.q. tests devised by fallible humans and administered by fallible people, could not hold to be a complete infallible test. A low i.q. could be compensated for by character and training. Question ten: “Can we judge it a criticism of our education system that so few appear keen to continue their education after leaving school. Mr W'arring, Mrs Gibbs, and M’rs Macky ably handled this question. It was felt that education in a broader sense was carried on by more people than ever. Large sections of the community studied current affairs, art, drama, debating etc., through the medium of night classes, W.E.A. and Community Art Services.

Question eleven: “During recent years New Zealand writers have produced comparatively few of the autobiographical type of books so popular elsewhere and of the few books written here, many are in an amateurish style- Is it any reflection upon our education system that so few have the urge and ability to write and to encourage such publications?”— Members of the panel felt that this statement was too sweeping. Many war autobiographies in particular, have reached a high literary standard and the recently published “Life of Sir Julius Von Haast” is a voluminous and well-written work.

Question twelve: “Democratic society to-day needs leaders in all departments of living. How can the schools best develop leadership?”—Mr Hill and I. McKenzie dealt effectively with this question. At the conclusion of the discussion Mr Bryant returned thanks to members of the panel and a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. It ’was indeed heartening to see the well-filled hall and the keenness and shrewd comments of the audience showed that'the Brains Trust was an innovation appreciated by Te Awamutu folk.

Supper was served by the ladies’ committee in the hall. Members of the audience seized the opportunity to discuss debatable points with members of the panel.