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With everyone's thoughts turning, as they now are, towards peace, much greater interest is being attracted to one of the principal features of this so-called new order - the educational system. The would-be reformers of this much-discussed system always meet with strong opposition, since, in the matter of education, there are many old die-hards who claim: "What was good enough for my grandfather is good enough for me." Thus, even when the abolition of caning was advocated, there were many who prated about "sparing the rod" and "spoiling the child" although the pupil's own gratitude for this reform was very fervent indeed.
Accordingly, education reform must ever be slow and gradual, but the inevitable progress in this direction has been marked recently by new interest and new publicity - and reformers have been encouraged by the press by the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and by the Government.
For many years now, school children have resignedly accepted the "desk and classroom" method of learning as the one and only way of absorbing knowledge. Now, however, the eyes of both teachers and pupils are being opened to the fact that some of the most valuable and worthwhile lessons are not to be found in a text-book. They are realising the value of radio and the screen in education and are becoming aware of how much more useful practical application is than theoretical knowledge.
For an example of one variation of the unchanging schoolroom routine, take our recently founded Speakers' Club which has given many of us an opportunity of speaking or acting before an audience of our own schoolmates - perhaps one of the hardest things a school child is required to do. Although everyone felt a bit self-conscious at first, gradually both performers and audience enjoyed this new and interesting feature of school life without, perhaps, realising the value it would be to all concerned.
The ways in which education can be improved and changed are many and various. Can you imagine lessons on how to conduct public meetings, on current history, statecraft, civics or social studies replacing those time-honored ones on the History of Modern Europe, on Shakespeare, or on sines and cosines? Can you imagine the school studying and trying to solve the problems of its own particular district; or travelling to other parts of the State to study their conditions? Perhaps you cannot - and even if these changes are not exactly the ones intended, others still more sweeping are beginning to appear on the horozin of future education.
Do not imagine that this editorial is merely a wholehearted attack against the present system in general. It is not. After four years of high school education, we realise that the present system has many good and admirable features which could not be abolished. But at the same time we feel that, just as Australia herself is moving forward to a glorious future, so Australia's schools may now anticipate still greater achievements in the training of the nation's youth.
Front Row (from left): Mrs O. Eason, Mr A. Spence, Mr W. Eason, Mr W. Barnett, Miss E. Howie, Miss M. Miller, Mrs E. Powys
Second Row: Miss L. Blumfeldt, Miss N. Wayland, Miss A. McDonald, Miss M. Harris, Miss R. Hales
Third Row: Mr D. Bowra, Mr D. McKay, Miss G. Fernance, Miss M. Barrett, Miss W. Tearle
Back Row: Mr F. Taylor, Mr S. Smith, Mr I. Nay
Absentees: Mr R. Golding
Dept of English and History: Mr W. Eason, Miss M. Barrett, Mr D. Bowra, Mrs O. Eason, Miss E. Howie, Miss M. Miller, Mr A. Spence, Miss N. Wayland
Dept of Classics: Miss E. Howie
Dept of Modern Languages: Miss R. Hales, Miss M. Miller
Dept of Mathematics: Mr R. A. Golding, Miss L. Blumfeldt, Mr D. McKay, Mr I. Nay, Miss N. Wayland
Dept of Science: Mr W. Barnett, Mr W. Tearle
Dept of Geography: Mrs E. Powys, Mr A. Spence
Dept of Economics and Business Principles: Mr F. Taylor
Dept of Agriculture: Mrs E. Powys, Mr W. Tearle
Dept of Home Science: Miss G. Fernance, Miss A. McDonald, Mrs E. Powys
Dept of Music: Miss M. Barrett, Miss R. Hales
Dept of Manual Training: Mr S. Smith
Art Work: Miss M. Harris
Needlework: Miss M. Harris, Miss G. Fernance
Handwork: Mrs E. Powys, Miss E. Howie
Dept of Physical Training: Miss L. Blumfeldt, Mr D. Bowra, Mr W. Eason, Mr D. McKay, Mr I. Nay, Mr A. Spence
Librarian: Mrs O. Eason
Sports Mistress: Miss L. Blumfeldt
Sports Master: Mr A. Spence
Careers Advisers: Miss N. Wayland, Mr D. McKay
Front Row (from left): B. Harcourt (VC), R. Maegraith (C), Miss E. Howie, Mr W. Barnett, Mr D. Bowra, N. Pether (C), L. Madew (VC)
Second Row: B. Gamble, Y. McWilliam, E. McWilliam, J. Whiting, L. Gamble
Third Row: T. Shepherd, A. Stewart, I. Cameron, B. Smellie
Back Row: W. Coates, J. McManus, R. Jackson, G. Reidy, A. Butt
SUNSET
By Kathleen Melling (Yr 1A)
The golden sun is setting,
Away into the west;
The weary birds are flying
Home to peace and rest.
The farmer ploddeth homeward
To take his well-earned rest;
While wild birds fly before him,
They're flying to their nest.
