Page image

25

A.—3

side, while the physical was, to a greater or less extent, lost sight of. A relatively high standard of formal education, such as is found in countries that have reached, a high standard of civilization, is of little value to the Niuean. The potentialities of the island are small. There are no manufactures and few industries ; there are no trades and professions. On account of all this the Niuean is at a disadvantage ; and, even though a high standard of primary education were given, it would, under the conditions at present obtaining, be of little use, because there are no opportunities offering whereby such knowledge could be put to practical use and become a benefit to the State, or, at least, to the island. " The natural home of the Niuean is in the tropics. The temperate zones are not so congenial to him, and he is better able to produce copra and grow tropical produce and fruits for export rather than go working on roads and doing manual labour abroad. " The Niuean is a child of the soil —he belongs to the Ijind ; and it has been our aim to educate him. in such a manner that he can be of practical value to his own native soil and exploit it and all its potentialities to their fullest. The children have been taught to work, and all lessons have been made as practical as possible. For example, the children now know how to weigh copra, and can calculate how much they should receive from the trader for the week's output. They also have a better knowledge of the prices of goods in stores, and can calculate the amount of change that they are to receive. " A good deal of time has been spent on ' spoken English,' in order that Natives may understand readily what is said to them when working on boats, or when spoken to by the doctor, matron, teachers, Government officers and traders. " Assistants. —The assistant teachers, Messrs. Fasene and Rex, have done splendid work during the year 1925. Both have been enthusiastic and keenly interested in their work, and both were very ready to apply any new idea suggested to them. While the Hakupu School was without the regular services of a European teacher Mr. Fasene acted as headmaster, and did very creditable work. " The school has been visited once a week by the headmaster from Tufukia School, and any difficulties met with by the assistants were discussed and explained. " Lessons to Assistants. —The assistant teachers were given lessons daily on such subjects as schoolorganization and management; discipline ; schemes of work ; work-books, registers, and records, and how to keep them ; the method of making out quarterly returns and reports ; time-tables ; physical drill; recreational games ; organized games ; gardening; music; how to organize a programme and a break-up ; and how to prepare items for school concerts. There was much more we would like to have taught of a more formal and abstract nature, but our year was a full one and time would not permit. " Baking Classes.-*-During the year cooking classes for the senior girls were held once a week. Instruction was given by Mrs. McKenzie in the cookhouse attached to the residence. Receipts and notes were given one week : these were discussed and explained until properly understood by the girls. During the next week theory was put into practice. It was encouraging to note that several girls carried the practice into their own homes, and could make scones and pikelets readily. Boiled puddings, fish-frying, stews, and fruit-puddings may easily be prepared in their homes. " Needlework. —During the year a class of needlework was begun by Mrs. McKenzie. The girls were first taught to do a ' sampler ' which showed all the elementary work done in sewing, such as darning, patching, hemming, button-holing, felling, and all useful forms of stitching. When these were mastered, fancy stitches suitable for dress-trimming were taught. The aim was to give a practical knowledge of sewing, cutting out, and the making of ordinary garments, together with mending and darning. " Handicraft.—The Niuean is deft with his fingers, but the Native crafts, since the advent of the European, tend to be dropped or forgotten. In order to foster and preserve these, and to prevent such arts becoming lost, handicraft classes were organized in the Hakupu School. An attempt is being made to elevate and perpetuate those home industries that have been found of worth. " Exhibits, Dunedin Exhibition. —The lessons taught at the Native handicraft courses of instruction were put into practical use, and an. attempt was made to forward to the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at least three exhibits of every kind of Native handicraft done on the Island of Niue. " Drill, Marching, and Games. —The children can now drill and march as well as the children of any New Zealand school. At first all were very slow in all movements, and their gait was that of a dawdle. All movements, such as moving into or out of school, or coming out on the floor when spoken .to, are done at the double and upon the toes. Organized games were unknown. Many, such as ' Like Numbers Run,' ' Cat and Mouse,' ' Fox. and Geese,' have been taught, and are thoroughly enjoyed. Recreational games have also received attention : cricket, hop-scotch, and hockey are now played. During the year a hockey-ground was made, kafika poles obtained from the bush, and goals erected. The children are very fond of this game. " Band. —During the year a ' gazoo ' band was formed, and has proved a source of delight both to the children and the people of the village. Popular airs, hymns, and marching tunes are played ; and the band, together with the standard-bearer and three drummers, lead the marching on all fete days connected with the school or the village. " Uniforms. —The pupils of the school, boys and girls, together with, a number of ex-pupils, were uniformed this year. This is the first serious attempt that has been made to uniform the schools on the island. The uniforms were manufactured in New Zealand, and arrived in time for the annual Church festival and the annual island sports. The uniforms were designed by the teachers, and the following is a description of them : — " Boys : Light khaki ' canoe ' shirts with short sleeves, one pocket, and a scarlet badge enclosed in an oval design and marked H.K.P., which signifies Hakupu, the official mark of the Government.

4—A. 3.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert