Figure 1.--Many New Zealand schools have strong music programs that are enthusiastivally received by the studentsm both boys and girls.
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Figure 1.--Many New Zealand schools have strong music programs that are enthusiastivally received by the studentsm both boys and girls. |
New Zealand schools offer a very extensive range of cultural, sporting, and social activities in which students can participate. Excellent facilities exist to support these activities. Participation in these extra-curricular clubs and activities is expected at many schools. Some schools use the term co-curricular activities as the activity program have been worked into the overall academic program. At many schools, sports are the most popular activities, but schools offer a wide variety of other activities. The fine arts are an especially important component of the activities offered. Students take part in musical events, annual dramatic productions, team and individual sports, as well as outdoor activities which are a special feature of school life at many schools.
Chess is not one of the most popular activities at New Zealand Schools, but there is usually a group of very eager players at most schools. For some reason most pf the interested students are boys.
Subject based competitions provide extra motivation and incentives for students to develop academic skills and goals. Schools sponsor student participation in competitiins such as: literary competitions, mathematics competitions (Cantamaths, Westpac, and BNZ), music competitions (Westpac and Rockquest), science fairs and other competitions, social science competitiions, and many more. Many of these like Cantamaths are organized regionally or nationally while others are run by individuals or groups within individual schools for that specific school.
Perhaps one of the most valuable experiences for students is the opportunity to participate in debates. Debates are sometimes pursued as part of class work. Schools also sponsor debate teams to participate in sessions with other schools on a variety of interesting topics. The experience at public speaking and logically and coherently organising and presenting oned thoughts has provem envaluable for a number of students.
The fine arts is traditionally the core of the non-sports activities program. While many other activities are now sponsored at New Zealand schools, the fine arts are still an important part of the overall program.
The school newspaper is an important institution at schools in most English-speaking country. It provides a variety of experiences to utilize accademic skills and to acquire a great deal of highly valuable practical experience.
Sports has a special place in the activities program at New Zealand schools, especially the secondary schools. Few countries put more emphasis on sports than New Zealand. The unique aspect of the program is the emphasis on providing opportunities for large numbers of pupils of widely varying athletic ability to enjoy sport. Sports as a result are dealt with in a separate section.
The traditions and formation of the New Zealand educational system is largely British as New Zealand was a British colony. Most of the first teachers and school administrators were British. Many of New Zealands more traditional schools still have the look of a British public school. Newer schools, however, have the look of an American high school and are often called high schools. One import from America is elected student councils.
