SUMMER SCHOOL TO-DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 4

SUMMER SCHOOL TO-DAY

OPENING OF 10-DAY EVENT 150 TEACHERS AT NEW PLYMOUTH. CULTURAL COURSE MAIN OBJECT. WIDE VARIETY OF LECTURES. The 1935 Dominion teachers’ summer school will open at New Plymouth today for a ten-day session. It is expected that when the course is properly under way to-morrow there will be 150 teachers present from all parts of New Zealand. They are being billetted at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, in the assembly hall of which all the lectures and sessions will be held. The paramount aim of the summer school movement is not to discuss everyday classroom education problems but to provide a cultural course which will be inspirational in effect, lifting those who attend above the ordinary everyday life to higher thoughts. The leading speakers for the school include such striking authorities as Mr. Frank Milner, C.M.G., M.A., an authoritative and lucid exponent of modern world problems, Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, Wellington, whose Knowledge of Maori line arts and lore is world tamous. Professor W. A. Sewell, AucKiand, who is a leader of modern thought in philosophy and sociology, and Dr. A. G. butchers, Wellington, an educational expert with fearless and, arresting views on modern education and social problems. Particular stress is being laid by the president of the movement, Mr. D. M. xiae, principal of the AucKiand Teachers’ Training College, on the fact that this feast ox culture is being made available without reserve for the general public of New Plymouth. Apart from the lecturers mentioned above, Mr. Rae himself has just returned from a tour of the world on which he gathered much valuable information upon educational trends abroad, and what he has to say upon education in relation to agriculture in Denmark should be of particular interest. Other aspects of the course, which will be stimulating to thought and progress, will be Mr. Ernest Jenner’s provocative views upon musical appreciation and taste—Mr. Jenner is an associate of the Royal Academy of Music and is recognised as one of the most brilliant pianists in New Zealand—and the feature to be made of folk-dancing, which is becoming increasingly popular in England and in New Zealand. Mr. K. C. Reid, Auckland, is in charge of this section, which is to be earnestly introduced to New Plymouth with evening sessions daily from 7 to 7.45. It is also intended to devote one full evening to folk dancing. The day sessions of the school will take the form of four periods each morning, to which the public is welcome, leaving the afternoon free for recreation. Popular lectures will be given each evening at the conclusion of the folk dancing, and New Plymouth is promised one of the finest series of worth-while addresses it has probably ever been privileged to hear. The official opening will take place tonight when the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, will welcome the students. Others present will be the Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, Director of Education, and representatives of New Plymouth educational authorities. A full description of the work, scope and history of the summer school movement is given on a special page in the Daily News this morning.