LECTURE OF PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43075, 30 March 1907, Page 4

LECTURE OF PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION.

ADDRESS AT THAMES BY MR N.

WINTER.

Alb bite Teachers Institute meeting* on Saturday (Mir Nl. Aj. Winter, B.A. (Loud.), delivered an address on “Physical Instruction,” which now forms an important part of the High School syllabus. In introducing; Mr • Winter l , the Chairman (Mir Russell) stated that he was delighted l ais were 'all the members of the branch, to have amongst them as a member of the .Institute the headmaster of the High School, for the first time .in the history of Thames. Hitherto, the relationship between the primary and secondary schools was somewhat strained, but the advent of Mr Winter was an omen of good. Mr Winter, who' was reicciived. with applause, expressed l pleasure at the large "attendance and thanked the members of the local Institute for the cordial welcome they had extended to .him. He pointed out the very great advantages likely to accrue from ai thoroughly sympathetic understanding her tween all ranks of the teaching profession. Ha trusted that the present meeting would prove only the first of a series in which matters of common interest to all the schools in the district wtouid be discussed. Passing on to the subject of his address ha laid it ddwn as an axiom that the work of the schoolmaster should not (be confined to training any one particular function—the memory for example, or even the intellect. It concerned' itself with the harmonious development of tha complete man, moral and physical.' No side of the child nature should be neglected. There was a tendency on the part of schoolmasters to aim at intellectual results exclusively. This was a great mistake. Unless' a good physical basis of health' was maintained 1 true intellectual prosperity would he impossible. It was not to be expected that ‘ any _ system of physical training, no matter how carefully devised, would be successful in turning all weakly children into strong ones, but a good course of exercises judiciously and regularly .Carried out would have a remarkable influence in improving the physique of every child to whom it was There was, however, a danger in over-doing it. There Was a danger of the exercises being made so monotonous as to be? oomie deadly dull. They would then cease to he of rise. The mind *and will of the pupil should* go with the muscular exertion. The point in which the more modem system of .physical exercises differs from the older is the greater prominence given to the art of breathing. Nature gave them & lead there, for in moments of depression, when the vital powers are at a low ebb, one heaves a sigh which as nothing 'but ai deep breath unconsciously made for the purpose of oxygenating the Wood in the lungs and consequently improving one’s vitality. Breathing exercises are just this operation carried out systematically. The whole period of drill l , however, should not be> occupied with breathing exercises pure and simple. They should alternate with arm, body, and leg exercises. The speaker then entered into physio? logical details regarding the exercises and explained to the meeting those at present in use at thei Normal Training School, introduced by -Mr Milnes, the principal, who is a firm believer in “physical exercise,” and which Mr Winter himself was now using at the High; School. In conclusion Mr Winter read a report of the Chief Inspector of Schools in the Wellington district. which advocated a similar scheme and further read some extracts from a speech of Ur. Mason, Chief Health Office, bearing on the same question. An interestinsr discussion followed Mr Winter’s address, in which the majority of those present took part. I Mr Fisher proposed a vote of thanks to Mr* Winter for his particularly interesting and* instructive address. This ,vas supported by Mr Newton and carried hv henrtv acclamation.