Page 7 - 1983 Clippings

Trade Subjects a School Strength

Huntly Press, October 19, 1983

Trade subjects are an important part changes in the 21 years he has taught at the
of the school curriculum, says foundation school.
teacher Mr Joseph Templeton. “We tend to accept standards, we
Mr Templeton has been a woodwork wouldn’t have in the past, which is a shame.
teacher at Ngaruawahia High School since I’d still like to see group uniforms and pupils
1962. well turned-out. A good image lends itself to
He says there is no replacement for the attitude of the pupils.”
traditional trade subjects such as technical “I don’t think there’s been a big change
drawing, engineering, building trade, maths to the attitude of learning.”
and science. “And I can’t say pupils are any different
Mr Templeton is head of the technical from when I was at school.”
department, which comprises engineering, Mr Templeton is concerned that when
woodwork, building trade, technical drawing, students leave school, all the work they’ve put
homecraft, clothing, art and craft. in at school will go to waste.
He came from Australia to new Zealand “Perhaps the recession we’re going
in 1961 and first taught at Te Aroha High through leaves student disillusioned. They’ve
School before he started at Ngaruawahia High put in so much work over the years.”
School. He’s been there ever since. Being in the schoolroom does not mean
While many educationalists are arguing the students are unaware of what is happening
for more liberal studies in schools, Mr outside it.
Templeton says he prefers the old system. “The students aren’t stupid. They know
“I’d prefer to see us carrying on with the what’s going on. They are aware of the brick
traditional trades as opposed to technology.” wall that’s facing them at the end of school.”
“I don’t say there’s not a place for arts or Some of the students awaken to it earlier
crafts, but I don’t think it has value or depth,” than others and naturally their frustrations
Trade subjects are more solid and the end show up at school, he says.
results shows, he says. Mr Templeton is keen on fishing, power
“This is what I’ve built them up to do”, model aircrafts and was the founder of the
he says, demonstrating a hacksaw which can Ngaruawahia AFFCO United Soccer Club.
be folded, and various
item the boys had
made.
“They all make
something useful.
Things are not thrown
away or into the shed
and left there.”
Many of his
students have gone far.
“W e ’ve got boys
working all over the
world. One in Hong
Kong is a city architect.
W e ’ve got boys who are
now managing their own Foundation teacher Mr Joseph Templeton 3 Option C pupils. From left to
engineering workshops.” right the boys are: Tai Paekau, Robert Muru, Wayne Cotter, Anthony
Mr Templeton says Loveridge and Carl Huisken. The table display shows some of the versatile
he has seen some
gadgets made by pupils.