INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 67, 19 March 1936, Page 9

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

INSPECTED BY THE BOARD SPECIALISED INSTRUCTION THE PUPILS AT WORK An inspection of the Wanganui Intermediate School was made yesterday by members of the Wanganui Education Hoard, the purpose being to acquaint those attending with first-hand knowledge of the specialised training undergone by the pupils in accord with a system of grading based on aptitude. The visitors were welcomed by the principal, Mr E. H. W. Rowntrce, M.A., and the chairman of the committee, Mr W. S. Jones. They we.e privileged to seo the pupils assembled as for the morning procedure and the opening of the school day with prayer, following which the children presented a short programme of choral items and folk nances. The singing and dan’cing were delightful and particular intciest was displayed in the choral speaking choir. Two numbers were rendered by this section, “The Border Ballad (Scott) and “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” (Longfellow). “The Anvil Chorus” (’Verdi), and “All Through the Night” (Descant by G. Shaw) were rendered by' the school in assembly. “John Peel” (Descant by G. Shaw) and a Thuringian folk song (arranged by E.

D, Taylor) provided two numbers of sufficient contrast to display the capabilities of the school choir. “Reap the Flax” and “Cochin China” were the two titles of the folk dancing numbers. They' concluded a very entertaining prog.anime in the assembly hall and the board members were then escorted through the class rooms, where the school was at work. The courses of study' range from basketry t o the presentation of a French play. Speech tiaining was of particular interest, the class managing extremely well the difficulties of specially worded sentences—“JShe sells sea shells on the sea shore,” and “Peter Piper p.'cked a peck of pickled peppers, and if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where is the peck of pickled peppers Peter

Piper picked.” in the Latin room pupils were being I taught by’ the diiect method, as though. - Latin was a living language. Pupils i asked the class questions and replies 5 and compliances were made accordingly. It was distinctly' interesting to ' study the handwork the "children were undertaking, and to follow the .intricacies in tne science room, where, by l means of special appliances, expen- - meats were being carried out to piove ' to the children's understanding and , satisfaction the foundation of accepted ; truths regarding heat and cold, air and matter, J.quids and solids. Even the simple filtration of water through sand ’ and rubble proved interesting. ; Ihe irench pray was staged in an » open-air setting, all the characters appealing in full dress to play their parts [ in the bright sunshine of the playing . field. Ibis presentation made a fitting [ conclusion to a short, hurried visit. A I brief inspection of the school baths was . made before the visitors departed. 1 must congratulate you on your - school,” said the chairman of the [ board (Mr E. E. Hemingway) to the ; headmaster, before departing. “It rc- ■ veals a distinct advantage on the old > system of education. If the parents of i pupils of Standard A and VI. would 1 come and see what we have seen to- . day they -would realise the value of I such a school as this.” Mr Rowntree, in his reply, stated that the brighter pupils were grouped > in the “L” and “C” forms and the ■ more backward in the “M” forms. • “Hie science,” he said, “is part of a course specially chosen to teach the scientific principles underlying everyday phenomena. Other work carried out in the school not seen to-day', includes mathematics, book keeping, dramatic work, school band, house sports, organised drill, metal work, and dressmaking. It must be remembered that at present 50 per cent, of the pupils have been at school only six weeks.” Visits to Rooms The party visited rooms as follows: Rooms 9 t samples of work and testing material; room 8, basketry, Form Ml, Miss F. A. Stevens; room 6. shorthand, Form C2, Mr J. B. Bennett, 8.A.; room 10, magazine room and library; room 5, speech training, Form C’l, 'Miss P. Duncan; loom 4, art, Form T2, Mr A. C. Barnes; room 2, elementary bookbinding. Form Tl, Miss M. Meth ven, M.R.8.T.; room 1, practical science, Form E2, Mr J. B. Bennett, 8.A.; room 11. geography, Form M2, Mr O. E. Johnston, 13. A.; room 12, Latin by the direct method, Form LI, Mr A. 6. Edwards, M.A; room 13, leather work, Form C2, Miss E. E. Paterson, AI.A.; room 14, French play, Form L2. Miss O. M. Cook. B.A. Mr A O. Edwards conducted the assembly singing and the school choir. Miss F. A. Stevens the choral speaking, and Miss M. Methven di;ected the folk dancing.