Appleby College - Argus Yearbook (Oakville, Ontario Canada)

Page 149 text:

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

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 150 text:

n X cUUf 74ctaMtce4 mmmm they selected, their initiative often leading to the development of brand new clubs. However, there is always the minority who abuse the system. It is only for- tunate that their lack of par- ticipation has not yet detracted from the quality of the program as a whole. Are the Thursday afternoon activities popular with the majority of the student body? Basically the answer is yes, for the right or wrong reasons. There are those who like it for its slackness and then there are those who like it for its interest. It is interesting to note that the activities pursued most strongly and conscientiously are the easy ones- like the Film Club. However, for the program to achieve one hundred percent success, people must be urged to get up off their backsides. As such, even though obligatory measures are un- pleasant to enforce, it seems that a shift towards the second philosophy mentioned is needed. This is not unreasonable. Such clubs as the Debating Society, Argus and Community Service cannot function without the consistent support of a large body of people. These clubs are not necessarily fun, but what they Such clubs as The Debating Society, Argus and Com- munity Service cannot function without the consistent support of a large body of people. These clubs are not necessarily fun, but what they have to offer in the way of character and skill development is invaluable.