Parents' Desire to Help their Children

Te Ao Hou, December 1965, Page 10

Parents' Desire to Help their Children To trace the development of the Study Centre is to study the devotion of a few parents who were ready to initiate a contribution which would improve the school performance of the local Maori children. The idea evolved through the concern of Mrs M. Te Hau. The notion of extra classes and individual tuition in bothersome subjects became secondary to the advice of the head teachers, who declared that a Homework Centre would meet an outstanding need. A meeting of 30 parents and interested people decided that a Study Centre would be worthwhile. Te Ao Marama, the St. Faith's parish hall, was offered and accepted for the use of the Centre four evenings a week, Monday through to Thursday, between 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. The hall was a happy choice as the large tables provided for workable groups of students. The early rolls were over the 70 mark. Each session is attended by a qualified person who puts his knowledge at the disposal of the students. A parent also attends to the arrangements in the hall and takes the roll. The Centre immediately aroused local interest—not because it was some grand ex-

periment, but rather because it was a positive step which reflected the thought and care of the Maori parent. The press printed and the radio broadcast the news of this project. Television filmed the students at work.