Appleby College - Argus Yearbook (Oakville, Ontario Canada)

Page 148 text:

I x idaef ;4etuKtic4 Some Thoughts on the Development of the Thursday Activities by Colin Richards When the Thursday Activities were initiated last year they were designed to provide opportunities for boys to take up, or further, interests of their ovwi. Un- fortunately, many chose to fur- ther just one big interest; television. This is not to say, however that the program is not achieving what it set out to achieve, although, needless to say, there does remain room for improvement. There are two different philosophies which can be applied to the situation as it stands. Primarily, there is the thought that people should not be totally governed by the school ' s tight regimen. The time on Thursday is their ovm, and thus if they choose to waste it, the decision and the ultimate misfortune is their own. The second school of thought is that the boys of the school are generally incapable of organizing, not only their study time, but also their leisure time in a con- structive fashion, and must therefore be urged to follow productive lines. Obviously, these two philosopliies mark the opposite boundaries of thought concerning the program. The ideal solution must lie somewhere in between. So far we have seen a system of relatively little compulsion. True, the band and choir are ex- ceptions, but basically the ac- tivities, the hobbies and even the dinner are held on a Turn up if you want to basis. Many boys did turn up regularly to the activities The programme was designed lo nccommodate, in port, a change in the Cadet activities. I do not say that the programme is not achieving what it set out to achieve, although, needless to say, there does remain room for improvement.

Page 147 text:

The Thursday Activities Programme To cover the Thursday Programme, four boys were asked to write articles on different aspects of it. They were asked specifically to deal with the origins and future of the programme, the masters ' response, the organisation and success of the present programme, and the boys ' response. None of these achieved their goals. What we got, however, was equally valuable: some thoughtful reactions, with different emphasis, to the programme as a whole. Although the facts are in some cases much out of joint, the intent and ultimate result are positive.

Page 149 text:

' Unfortunately, many choose to further just one big interest; television. The band is one of the compuJsory Thursday A ternoon Activities.