MODERN SCHOOLBOY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 221, 26 January 1928, Page 1

MODERN SCHOOLBOY.

KEEN AND STUDIOUS. Headmaster’s Opinion. “ In my long experience boys have not altered during the past 20 or 30 years. If anything, they are more keen and more studious, probably on account of greater competition in the world of commerce,” This is the opinion of Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, headmaster of Scotch College, Melbourne, one of the largest secondary schools in the British Empire, who arrived at Auckland fiom Sydney last week. Mr. Littlejohn, who has been living in Australia for 24 years, was formerly headmaster of Nelson College. “ I have the greatest respect and admiration for the New Zealand schoolboy,” stated Mr. Littlejohn.

“ He is one of the finest chaps that one could possibly know. At Scotch College we endeavour to make the boys realise that they have a threefold object—to work hard in the classroom and out on the playing fields and to enter generally into the life of the school. We hope that when they leave school they will carry something of this spirit away with them.” The visitor added that the college had a roll of over 1200, and all the pupils were exceedingly loyal to their school. “ The standard of learning to-day is jast as high as it was 20 years ago,” continued Mr. Littlejohn. “ One hears a lot about the irresponsibility of youth, and I do think most of the boys have a larger command of money than is good for them. However, they are all good fellows, essentially young men, keen, and eager to learn. Life to-day is far more intense than it was 20 years ago, and the boys realise that if they do not succeed at school they have little chance of succeeding in the university of life.” The visitor stated that the most remarkable advance made in secondary education in Victoria within recent

years was the system of recommending boys for the intermediate ant! leaving examinations without having to sit for the examinations. This was equal to the matriculation. If the school was willing the headmaster was given power to make recommendation.

“ I think the idea is an excellent one,” Mr. Littlejohn said. “To qualify, a boy must have worked hard and consistently throughout his school career. The recommendations are not based on a last minute spurt cn the part of the pupil. His work must be good throughout. The result is that there is a higher standard of work, and the objectionable habit of cramming is avoided to a large extent.” This year 120 pupils were recommended as sufficiently good to pass the examinations without sitting for them.”