Thames High School Maori Club holds a Regional Fifth and Sixth Form Seminar At the end of July, Thames High School became the venue of one of the most interesting and successful fifth and sixth form Maori students, conferences ever held in the country. Over 100 pupils from Paeroa, Waihi, Tauranga, Mt. Maunganui, Matamata, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Ngaruawahia, Hauraki Plains, Te Kauwhata and Huntly, spent a worthwhile weekend in Thames arranged by the Student Maori Club under the guidance of Messrs Stewart, M. Bryan (Vice-Principal), T. Turoa, J. Turoa, M. Renata, H. Tukukino, P. Williams, T. Loney (Principal), Misses K. Barrett, D. Stewart, E. Cooney, C. Dunlop, L. Taylor, A. Harper and M. Renata.

Organisation The pupils were billeted by the local people, and the conference and catering were held at the High School. The conference was opened on Friday night and the sessions continued until Sunday midday, finishing with a hangi and a church service.

Topics Covered After the mihi, where Mr Loney, Principal of Thames High School, welcomed all members, Mr M. Te Hau, B.A. (Auckland University) spoke on Aims and Standards in Education where he said that all people must have the ability to communicate in order to lead a full life. He said that there was a greater need for education in a type of society which would require even more in the future, an adult that was well qualified. It was important, therefore, that the school should be the focal point of the community for all pupils and all parents. ‘It is true,’ he said ‘that education prepares you for the future but that is only half the story. Indeed the religious side of man cannot be divorced from everyday life. There are pressures from society and Government on the individual, and education in its fullest sense gives you the capacity to deal with these pressures in such a way that can be of service both to yourself and to your community. It is necessary to develop all sides of your character in music, sport, art and religion.’ Dr Sinclair (Hamilton) spoke on the Integration of Maori Cultural Aspects with that of the Dominant Pakeha Culture. Dr Sinclair gave a very lively and thought-provoking lecture, interspersed with Maori oratory, on certain Maori cultural aspects that could fit quite adequately into the present-day culture, so that the future New Zealand culture could be much more favourable and indeed unique. He told the students that higher education did not necessarily mean that one should throw away ‘Maoritanga’, but it was an integral and necessary part of one's own personality. Mr John Dansey, a practising architect in Auckland, spoke on Education for Citizenship. He explained that a citizen was a member of a community and contributed his talents for the betterment of the community. ‘There are many citizens whom we can go to for information, such as lawyers, police, teachers, M.P.s, Post Offices, Government departments,’ he said. ‘We, as Maoris, tend to wait for others to starr the ball rolling but we cannot wait for others to start a Maori club. We must do this ourselves. It is up to us to carry on the tradition. The Maori is reluctant to join community clubs because he lacks English fluency and he is less confident with Pakehas. Education therefore, is essential for every member of the community so that he or she can help not only the family but also the community.’ After lunch on Saturday a panel of secondary school teachers (Miss M. Harrison Dip. F.A., J. Nicholls B.A., P. McLav M.A., A. Clarke B.A., and T. Royal M.A.) spoke on Methods of Study. The topics covered included the best methods of studying, the physical conditions necessary, how much time should be taken at night for swotting, the need to balance study with social activities, the problems of over-