PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13774, 11 May 1915, Page 7

PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

CLASSES FOR TEACHERS

During the next* fortnight teachers in a portion of the Nelson education district will undergo a course of physical instruction in this city by Sir S. A. Moore, chief instructor for the Sout'i Island, assisted by Mr and Mrs Johnson, Mr LongwortL, an] Miss Greenwood. Prior to the commencement of the classes A-esterclay n'orning, about ISO teachers" assembled at the School of Music, where they were welcomed by Mr F W. O. Smith, chairman of the Education Board. These teachers are drawn from four counties —Wiiimea, Takaka, Collingwood, and Murchison. Ovcv \(Y) teachers on liie West Coast have already received training. In the course of his remarks, Air Smit!i said the inauguration of ihe classes was an event in the educational history of Nelson, as it was the nrst time teachers had had an opportunity of coming together to have a course of physical instruction a.s in— augn'-ati'vl by the Government. It had been a matter of very great regret to the Board that opportunity had not. been afforded before to give teadiers this instruction; but now the time had arrived when tha Board could welcome the teachers to the classes. He believed the instruction would be of great ben^j'ii both to tho teachers and \<o their scholars. Mr Smith said it was the first occasion on which any menilier >A the Board had had the opportune,' of welcoming such a large number or teachers in one centre. He impressed upon them the value of physical culture, which, he said, was going to play an important part in the future education of the children of the Dominion. In the commercial world our frozen meat, butter, and other produce were second to none in the world, and we wanted it acknowledged that our boys and girls turned out from our prinmy schools were also the very best. It was impossible to have a Cully developed mind unless they had a jully developed body, and he was satisfied I'hat the teachers had come there determined to take- full advantage of the j opportunity to be affordod them in the next fortnight. IVJr Brr>itii also refoi'red to the value from, a social point of viv>w of teachers foregathering, when old friendships could be renewed, and new ones made. On 'behalf of the Board, he trusted that each one of tnem would have an exceedingly- pleasant and hapov time. (Applause.) Mr Moore stated that i-he hours of instruction would be from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30, and 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; and from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. The lady teachers, who have been divided into three groups, according to their ages, axe receiving instrneuon at the Methodist Sunday School, the Presbyterian Hall, and the Girls' College gymnasium, and the male teachers at" the School of Music.