OPEN AIR SCHOOLS

Waipa Post, Volume 39, Issue 3088, 12 December 1929, Page 5

OPEN AIR SCHOOLS

APPROVED BY PARENTS, TEACHERS, DOCTORS.

THE FENDALTON EXPERIENCE,

Striking' evidence in favour of open-air schools is given by Mr A. R. Blank, headmaster of Fendalton School, in a report prepared for the Parliamentary Education Committee. He declared:—“ To wall in children from fresh air and sunshine is nothing short of a crime. I cannot understand any right-thinking person wanting to do it. I have had six years’ practical teaching experience in these (open-air) classrooms and under both winter and summer conditions I find them ideal both for pupils and teachers. I have not yet heard one sound argument that can be used against an open-air school.” Mr Blank adds that his opinion is borne out by teachers, and parents. “ The child of the open-air room,” he says, “ is a happy little creature, ever bright and responsive. He is particularly interested in his school garden and in his own classroom. The lawns and gardens surrounding the school at Fendalton have all been made by the pupils themselves.” QUESTION OF LIGHTING.

The opinion has been expressed that the glare of the sun in the openair classrooms is a disadvantage. Mr Blank maintains that this is not so. Out of 405 children on the school roll only 17 wear glasses, and all these had worn them before coming to the school.

In view of the inquiry being made by the Parliamentary Committee, Mr Blank sent a circular to the parents of the children in the upper classes of the Fendalton school asking their opinions of the open-air plan. When he was seen by a Christchurch Sun reporter, he had received 60 replies, all favourable and most of them enthusiastic.

Three doctors were among the parents who wrote commending the Fendalton open-air type of school. Dr W. M. Cotter stated: “I am still enthusiastic about the open-air school. As you know, I have sent my own children to you, and also, in my medical capacity, have advised some of my patients to do likewise. In each case there has been a definite improvement in health and physical tone, and in the case of one delicate and ‘ chesty ’ child the change was simply remarkable. Now I take the opportunity of wishing you every success in your splendid work.”

ANOTHER HEADMASTER’S VIEW.

Very striking is the testimony of Mr W. A. Rumbold, headmaster of the Sydenham School, who sends one of his own children to Fendalton for the benefit of the open-air classrooms. He wrote: “I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the benefit Jean has derived from her attendance at the Fendalton open-air school. Nearly three years ago, after her second attack of pneumonia, our doctor advised us to send her to you, and the results speak for themselves. She is much brighter, throws off colds very readily, is able to wear the lightest clothes in practically all weathers, and is able to take part in the activities of a healthy girl. These happy results are mainly due to the open-air treatment, and, needless to say, we are strong advocates for schools such as yours.” A feature of the replies from the parents, says the Sun, was the number that testified that the children had been free from colds since attending Fendalton.