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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 8. May 29, 1952
A Report On Phys. Ed
A Report On Phys. Ed.
Here is the authoritive information on the work being done by Mr. W. H. Landreth, the recently-appointed Physical Education Officer.
Thomas Hunley begins his definition of a liberal education with these words: "That man, I think, has had a liberal education who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of his will, and does with ease and pleasure all the work that, as a mechanism, it is capable of." How far does a university education gained at this College conform to this ideal? What provision has been made by the College authorities for an adequate physical education. Health and physical well-being are repeatedly spoken of as desirable goals—without these high academic honour are hollow triumnphs. We should not be content with physical fitness for our end, for "fitness" leads nowhere and a journey with no end soon develops into an aimless wandering in desert places. But if we make fitness not oar end but our beginnings the beginning of a fully educated life for body, mind and soul—we are not likely to lose our way nor tire of the road. Moral, intellectual and physical progress, the education of the whole man, is the concern of the university.
Recognition of its responsibility in this respect has led the college authorities to start what might well become a vitally important aspect of university life. Steps have been taken to provide, in some aspects of physical education, opportunities for students to exploit their full physical capacities, develop innate skills and derive a more positive enjoyment from their college life. Physical education is no exception to the doctrine which declares education to be a lifelong process. It is not merely a subject to be enjoyed or endured while at school; it is not the P.T. period of the Army and it is not the programme of "health and beauty" movements. These have their place and serve particular needs of different groups, being part, though a limited part, of the whole process of physical education.
Opportunities
What opportunities have been made available to students? Realising that the provision of a well-equlpped gymnasium to serve as a focal point for health and physical education services will be a necessity in the future, the College Council has to some extent met the immediate needs of students by appointing a Phys. Ed, officer and by making available a Quantity of recreational equipment. Hot showers have been installed in the present gym, gymnastic equipment is on order and facilities for playing indoor and out-door basketball are to be provided.
Granted that full use of such facilities would be only a modest beginning to an adequate physical education service, but a start has been made. The development of this department lies with the students. It can succeed in providing better opportunities only If students make use of what is now offered.
Each week twenty-three classes are conducted by Mr. Landreth, the Physical Welfare Officer, mainly of a recreational nature.. They may not appeal to all but Mr. Landreth can choose alternative programmes only if he is aware of the wishes of the students. Help him to help yourself. He win try and arrange classes to suit those who want them. Read the notices on the Registrar's notice-board concerning classes. If you have in the past felt unskilled, incompetent and "left out" of games don't delude yourself by saying that you don't enjoy them anyway, or that you haven't time. Have a chat with Mr. Landreth and hear his views. The classes are not made up of ex-high school athletic champions.
And the Classes
The classes offering at the moment are all on the notice board but here (hey ore again. Recreational:—Indoor basketball, volley ball, pad-derminton, badminton, deck tennis, piteka, handball, cornerball, "keep fit" exercises, folk dancing, square dancing, eurhythmics, and gymnastics. There are also classes for posture and corrective work, health and hyoiene, sports training, films and discussions.
A full-sized indoor basketball court is being laid out on the present courts. Lighting for night play is held up in the meantime but when it la available will be valuable for night training; it will have too the welcome effect of freeing the Gym. for other activities. Inter-class and inter-departmental competitions have been played and this idea might well grow—previous "experience is not necessary.
A dance group baa also been formed and will start classes when the piano is restored to the gym. A woman will direct this class; more members are required, this la a cheap, convenient and painless way of learning to dance—lots of students (Like Salient's reporter) have been too busy to cultivate this most social of the arts, but now that we have a tutor on our very doorstep there Is no reason why this class should not be well attended. It is realised that some students find their free time limited: then-tore opportunity for Incidental recreative activities in the morning hours will be made in the gymnasim.
There you have it, the complete scheme. In case some of you are a bit shy come along with your friends—you are all welcome. There is no obligation on you to attend every week 'if you don't like to and any one is free to turn up as he or she wishes and join in without any preamble, but once you have joined a class it's almost certain that you will want to continue in it. Watch Salient for further information on Phys. Ed. activities—we hope to run a series of articles on the different activities in order to clear up a few of your misapprchensions and doubts.
Sports Editor.