The Huron Expositor, 1983-04-13, Page 3EXCHANGE TEACHER—Peter Latronico, finds the atmosphere at Seaforth District High
School more relaxing than the British educational system. Peter glances at studies being
completed by student Barb Sloan. Peter is teaching geography and consumer education
while in Seaforth. Seaforth teacher John Ball isat Peter's school in England. (Wa of
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, APRIL 13, 1983 — A3
British schools stricter, says teacher
1 ne tirst impression Peter Latronico had
when he arrived; in, Seaforth as British
exchange t,eachie WV the smallness of the
town. 'Compare8' to British standards,
Seaforth is small. but 1 was quite impressed
with the high school."
Peter arrived in Seaforth on August 21, to
exchange teaching positions for a year with
SDHS teacher, John Ball. Peter is a
geography teacher in a Nantwicir, England,
school. The school has an enrollment of
1,300 students. Population of Nantwich is
approximately 14,000. "I teach the equiva-
lent of grades seven to 13," says Peter.
An advertisement in an English educatipn
newspaper caught Peter's eye concerning an
exchange to Australia. Because British and
Australian school years differ, Peter applied
for a position in Canada. and was accepted.
"1 could have been placed anywhere in
Canada. 1 was sent to Seaforth, and here
am."
Comparing British and Canadian class -
moms, Peter explained "they are much less
formal here. In Britain, students are
required to wear uniforms and teachers must
wear a jacket and tie. Also, in Britain,
students rise when a member of the staff
enters a classroom."
Although the atmosphere is more relaxed
and less formal at the Seaforth district high
school. Peter says there SCCMS to t
dtook
e no
disciplinary problems atthe school. 'I
Me a couple -of weeks to adjust because 1
have the reputation in Britain of being very
strict." Peter explained British discipline
consists of shouting and occasionally striking
students. "it works well in our system."
ATSCHOOL TO WORK
Explaining that British schools have
changed from grammar to comprehensive
schools, he says students attend school to
work, as they were taught in grammar
schools, and the tradition is maintained.
"I'm used to the Canadian system and quite
enjoy it."
Peter stressed, "the British system needs
to be more disciplined because students are
working toward external examinations.
These exams arc set by the universities. We
have to get the students to work hard
because we don't know what to expect on the
exam papers. In Canada, eiaminations only
cover the work students have studied. There
is not the same amount ofressure here."
PASS RATE
Noting the difference in both systems,
Peter explained the pass rate of British
students being approximately 70 per cent.
"Here the pass rate is 90 per cent, plus"
Comparing the marking system, he says
British students are marked on the hard
side. j st to work them harder. "Here. I had
to adjust and mark a bit more leniently. In
Seaforth, students receive grades of 70, 80
and often 90 per cent. In Britain, students do
Demand grows for Christian high school
This year 28 Huron County students have
shown interest in attending a Christian
high school.
The closest school of this type is in
London. It may cost parents more than
$3,000 each in transporation and fees to
send their children there.
In the past few years the number of
Huron students attending the Christian
high school in London has been steadily
increasing. It has come to a point where
parents are now wondering if it is feasible
to begin a similar high school in Huron
County.
During March public meetings were
held in Clinton, Goderich, Blyth and
Exeter to discuss this proposal. More than
70 people attended and to date 26 people
have responded by completing a written
questionaire.
The initial results of the meeting in-
dicate a positive attitude toward the
concept of the Christian high school. Those
attending the meetings asked for further
study on the philosphy of Christian
education and how it applies to such
education areas as membership, student
enrolment, curriculum and teacher hiring
policy.
Henry Slotegraaf of RR 3, Clinton is the
chairman of the Huron Christian
Education Committee. The committee
believes, "By graciously giving us the -
scriptures, our Lord God has revealed to
His people orderly principles intensely
relevant to'education."
Committee members therefore feel that
it is the duty and privilege of the Christian
community to provide a complete system
of Christian education for their children.
At the meetings it was explained that
Christian schools are not schools with a
general education program that most are
accustoaied to, With a Bible course added,
but that Christian schools are unique
because they integrate biblical principles
with total cirriculum. Christian schools
are designed to create an environment
where Christian teachers can conduct
devotions, prayer, a Bible class and teach
Centre for disabled
exRected to close Oct. 31
The administrator of the Bluewater
Centre for the Developmentally Handicapped
advised employees to set a target date of Oct.
31, as the closure date for the centre.
Bluewater Centre administrator Bill Gregg
emphatically stated that employees have not
been given official notice by the ministry and
that the closure of the centre has not been
announced. However. Mr. Gregg, said he
arbitrarily chose the October 31 date to give
employees a time framework to adjust to.
While the centre has not officially been
closed, the closure is expected to be effected
within the calendar year.
Community and Social Services deputy
minister Robert McDonald met with parents
and employees Jan. 12 and suggested the
centre would close by the end of 1983. Mr.
Gregg said the employees should be
prepared for that,
"The employees haven't been given notice
and the closure hasn't been announced yet,"
Mr. Gregg said last week. "A general staff
meeting was held and I selected the target
date of October 31 as a closure date. It's my
target date."
Mr. Gregg explained that his reasoning
behind the arbitrary selection of a target date
was to give employees a form of reference
and to alleviate some of thc uncertainty of the
situation.
"i've arbitrarily selected that date because
the employees need some date to work to.'
he said. "Deputy minister McDonald said the
centre would close in the late fall of this year
when he met with parents in January so
they're aware. It's only a target date at this
point and is not firm."
The ministry has promised employees six
months notice and Mr. Gregg expects that
notification will he forthcoming in April or
May. Since that meeting with staff a week
ago. Mr. Gregg said the rumor mill has been
students the biblical perspective of life in
all subject areas.
Huron County is now serviced with two
elementary Christian schools, in Clinton
and Lucknow. These are attended by
hundreds of local children. A few years
ago four students from the area went onto
Christian high school in London. Last year
18 attended and this year 28 have shown an
interest.
Mr. Slotegraaf said the interest in
not teed.., so", uigu marks. Students 1
teach, who receive a 90 per cent grade, in
one year, i can count on one hand."
Speaking with a heavy British accent.
Peter says Seaforth students had a problem
adjusting to his speech. He explained
"students here use textbooks and dittos far
mare than I use in England. There, the
teacher supplies the information and utilizes
discussion in teaching. 1 still try and have
discussions in my Seaforth classes."
An example, Peter explained, "one lad,
whose marks had improved, credited
classroom discussion. The more he partici-
pated in the discussions, the better his
marks became."
The teaching staff in Seaforth has been
helpful, says Peter. "The female -male
teacher ratio is a difference. In Britain, the
ratio is 50-50. Seaforth has more male than
female staff."
The main British sport is soccer, compar..,
_ ahlc to basketball in the school' here "and
obviously hockey. l hese are two very minor
sports in Britain. i've just started to coach
soccer teams at the school."
HELPFUL
As for Seaforth as a town, Peter says
"people in the shops have been very helpful.
The staff of the library has been of great
assistance.
Having only spent six weekends in
Seaforth, Peter has travelled extensively
throughout Ontario and Canada. "I have
r-'snt some time in Toronto. visited Niagara
Falls, been to New York. went to a town
called Dorset which is located on the
Canadian Shield and have skied in Vermont.
During the March winter break, I travelled
to Banff, Alberta. Canada is a varied land.
It's much bigger than the whole of Europe."
After experiencing the very mild Canadian
winter, Peter says Britain hd a similar
winter last year. 'We thoughtit was very
harsh."
Touring Canada in an automobile. Peter
admitted he only travelled on the wrong side
of the highway once. "The size of Canadian
cars are much bigger than 1 am used to. The
roads are much busier in Britian."
HARD TO ADJUST
Looking ahead to his return to England,
Peter remembers a conversation with a
Canadian who had visited his country. "He
„came back to Canada and said he had a very
hard time adjusting to his old driving
habits." Peter hopes the same is not true in
his case.
Peter concludes that Canadian students
receive a broader education,"but the British
specialize in certain areas and are more
in-depth in their studies. "British students
may only have three subjects in grade 13,
but here students have as many as six. 1
would think British students are equivalent
in what they learn, but it is more in-depth."
secondary Christian education is in-
creasing and the aim of the committee is to
determine whether money paid to send
these students to London could be better
spend establishing a Christian high school
in the county.
He stressed that it would be the parents'
decision and it would probably take at
least one year to determine the feasibility
of establishing a local school. This fall a
bus will either be purchased or leased to
transport students to London.
Welfare cases on decrease
active, officially citing his target date as the
closure date for the centre.
That, he said, has been unsettling for
parents. residents and employees.
Meanwhile, parents of children in the six
regional centres for the developmentally
handicapped have succeeded in securing a
meeting with Community and Social Services
Minister Frank, Drea. But, the group of
concerned parents formed March 12, are now
demanding that Premier William Davis meet
with them and place a moratorium on the
closing of the six regional centres.
The parent committee is now seeking a
meeting with Mr. Davis to hear the
government's justification for closing the
centres over the next five years and moving
many of the residents into community group
homes.
Committee chairman. B.M. Bhuta of
Pickering said the parents are seeking a
temporary moratorium on the ministry's
five-year plan. Mr. Bhuta explained that
parents are not necessarily opposed to the
governments plan, but they want the
government to extend the courtesy of
explaining the procedure before it is
implemented.
The parents still face concerns that many
residents will not be able to function in group
home settings and there is also the concern
that the support services, such as group
homes, will not be sufficiently in place when
centres are closed. In such cases. parents fear
their children will simply be transferred to
larger institutions.
Mr. Gregg also cautioned that Mr. Drea
promised that residents would not be moved
until adequate support services were in place
in the community. Those services would
include placement and daycare for all
residents. Mr. Gregg said those services may
not be ready until November or December.
While the number of general welfare
cases in Huron County is still high, more
cases arc being closed then opened.
Huron County council, at its March 31
meeting, was told by social services admini-
strator John MacKinnon that statistics "look
encouraging" because the caseload de-
creased by 31 in February.
"People are finding employment," said
Mr. MacKinnon, noting most of the employ-
ment is opening up in the southern part of the
county.
The general assistance caseload for Febru-
ary was 273, up from 150 one year ago. The
number of people benefiting from social
services is also up trom last year with 763 in
February of this year compared to 564 in
1982.
Along with numbers increasing from a year
ago, costs have also gone up. To the end of
February, social services has spent $217,368,
exceeding the estimate by 530,184. The
county's share of the over -expenditure is
$2,278 with the province picking up the rest.
The costs for the same two-month period a
year ago were $141,037, up 576,331 for 1983
or 54.12 per cent.
"Hopefully, we'll have a somewhat more
encouraging report next month," comment-
ed social services committee chairman Reeve
Robert Bell.
Huron 6 -of E approves calendar
62
The Huron 'County Board of EducationC letCollegiate Institute will be holding their
approved the 1983-84 school year calendar at additional days on Thursday. June 21 and
its April 5 meeting, incorporating the two Friday. June 22.
week Christmas holiday and 1 week earlier
March break approved previously.
The usual school holidays include Thanks-
giving Day on Oct. 10, Christmas holidays
from Dec. 19 to Jan. 1, winter break from
March 12 to 16, Good Friday on April 20,
Easter Monday on April 23 and Victoria Day
on May 21. The lack of snow this past winter means
Tile professional activity days for elemen- that there is little chance of flooding this
tary and trainable mentally retarded schools spring says a spokesman of the Ausable-
are on Friday, Sept. 23; Friday, Oct. 28; Bayfield Conservation Authority. Mec Scott,
Wednesday. Nov. 23; Friday, Feb. 24; Water Resources Co-ordinator, reports that
Friday, May 4; Monday, June 4 and all rivers and streams in the area are free of
Wednesday, June 27 to Friday, June 29. ice.
County -wide Paradays for the secondary He warns that flooding is always a threat
schools will be held on Friday, Oct. 28; in the spring if heavy rains fall on frozen
Monday, April 2 and from Monday, June 25./ground or ground that has been saturated
to Friday. June 29. Seaforth District High from previous precipitation.
School will be holding its own PA days on The Conservation Authority is ready for
Thursday, Jan. 2 (t and Friday, Jan. 27. South the possibility of a flood with the Parkhill
Huron District High School will be holding reservoir maintained at its lowest holding
additional PA days on Friday, Feb. 3 and level. It also monitors the water system
Friday, June 22. Central Huron Secondary constantly. If flooding becomes likely,
School, Clinton; F.E. Madill Secondary affected municipalities will be warned by the
School. Wingham; and Goderich District Authority,
Flooding unlikely
this spring, says ABCA
Campagnolo to speak at dinner
FIRST COMMUNION—A number of Seaforth area youngsters celebrated first communion
at St. Jar les Roman Catholic Church Sunday. With Father Caruana are from yleft, back
row, ,
Joanne Van Loon, Jill Bettles, Jennifer Caron, middle, Janice Rodney,
Michael Etue, Frank Mellace, Christen McNaughton, front, Shawn Coombs, Kim Rau,
Matthew McNichol, Karen Nigh, Elizabeth Hunt. (Photo by Frank Phillips)
Several men remanded
A Goderich man has been remanded in
Goderich court until April (8,: ib i]onne(tion
with a robbery in Seaforth on Tuesday, Feb.
8. Charged was Jeff Austin of 263 Cameron
St.. in Goderich.
According to Seaforth police chief Hal
Claus, Mr. Austin was charged after Keith
Adams of 8A Main St.. Seaforth was robbed
and assaulted in the lobby of his apartment
building. Mr. Adams was taken to Seaforth
Community Hospital where he was kept over
night for observation following the assault. A
small amount of cash was taken.
Three Seaforth residents have had their
case remanded until June 20, after being
charged with robbery with violence. Charged
were Michael Joseph McLaughlin. of 111
East William St., Robert William Engel of
(78 Main St., South and Randy James Buck of
RR4. Seaforth.
The charges arose from an incident
involving Helmut Johann Sieber, 29. of RR2
Blyth and Manfred Loseriet, 39 of RRI
Auburn. in connection with a Feb. 14 beating
and robbery at the home of Mr. Sieber.
Provincial police in Wingham reported that
Mr, Sieber, was -alone in a farmhouse, on the
eighth concession of Morris Township, when
a nian Carrying a revolver forced his way into
the house. at about 9 p.m. Mr. Sieber was
forced to lie on the floor with his hands behind
his back and head covered, while the men
robbed the house. He was struck on the head
with a hard object. -
Mr. Loseriet became suspicious when he
drove past the house and observed a strange
vehicle and individuals in the driveway. Upon
closer investigation, he became involved in a
fight and was struck down by a hard object
from behind. He made his way to a neighbour
where he notified police.
The three were arrested early the next day
in Scaforth.
Clayton Stirling. 29, of RR2 Bayfield,
charged with creating a disturbance and two
counts of assaulting police officers, has had
his case remanded until May 30.
Scaforth police laid the charges in
connection with a disturbance outside the
Queen's Hotel on the evening of Jan. 8.
Tuckersmith approves arena budget
The combined Liberal ridings of Huron, Since her election as Liberal party
Bruce and Perth are holding a joint
fundraising dinner in Mitchell Apr. 21, which
wilt feature a prominent party ViP as guest
speaker. The Hon. Iona Campagnolo, presi-
dent of the Liberal Party of Canada is the star
attraction for the 525 a plate dinner, and the
Hon. Eugene Whelan, federal Minister of
Agriculture will also attend.
The event will include a deluxe smorgas-
bord dinner at the Mitchell and District
Community Centre, with a reception at 6:30
and dinner at 7:30 p.m.
president back in November, Mrs. Campag-
nolo has been much in demand for speaking
and engagements. The fast pace is something
she became used to as a school board trustee
in her early years in politics in Prince -Rupert
B.C., and she has maintained a very visible
presence from the time she ran federally in
1974 and won. to the present.
The evening promises to be one of the most
interesting political events to take place in
Mitchell this year. Tickets are available (mai
Mrs. Don Sinclair at 348-9269, Jack Horne, at
345-2829. or Wilfred Krauskopf X345-294'3.
C P
yonUoGi OnvOgd
The annual meeting of
the Synodical Society. of
Hamilton and London of the
Women's Missionary Soci-
ety. Presbyterian Church in
Canada, will be held on
Tues.. April 19 and Wed.,
April 20 in St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church. Owen
Sound. Registration will start
at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday and
the opening session will be
held at 1:15 p.m. Featured on
KA TIMA VIK STUDEN'iS were honoured Friday during an
assembly at the Seaforth public school when they were
given a send-off by the students and staff on their last day In
Seaforth. Citations were presented by students. back row,
from left Scott Teal!, Anna Clubine, Rob Glew, and Bev
Campbell. Katlmavikers include: David Griffiths, Caroline
Countryman, Alan Shepherd, and Phrance Thlbodeau.
Sarah Johnston site on Phrance's knee. (Waaslnk photo)
Continued from page 1
winds would not cause dust probtems. Mr.
Koostra promised to give a site plan (giving
exact footage on his property where the silos
would be located) to Tuckersmith's building
inspector. Herman Van Wieren.
• Passed were applications for four tile
drainage loans for $15.000. 518,662, 515.000
and 518.000 for a total of 566,662.
Two drains were discussed at length --
Adams and Archibald.
Passed for payment were accounts total-
ling 5107.502.88, Day Care. Vanastra
57,333.08: special day care, Vanastra,
$3.802.64; Vanstra recreation centre,
516.247.03; roads, 514,276.01 and general
accounts. $65,844.12.
Councillor Broadfoot asked council to
consider starting naming committees to mark
the celebration in January. 1985 of thc 150th
anniversary of the township.
Clerk Jack McLachlan was authorized to
attend the Association of Municipal Clerks
and Treasurers of Ontario meeting in
Godcrich on April 21.
Slaughters 37 rats in 10 minutes
0n .the y*apo agog
Tues. evening will he
Heritage Night. based on the
history of the W.M.S. from
1864 to 1983. idp Wednesday.
the guest speaker will be 'Dr.
Margaret Kennedy. former
missionary to India.
The Huron Strings are
invited back again to supply
entertainment at noon to
Belmore Maple Syrup Festi•
val on Thursday.
Errors in photos
and spelling
There were two errors in
the information under two
photos of the Dublin Lions
Club and Hibbert council's
visit to the club's new build-
ing in recent issues of the
Expositor.
In the Mar. 30
photo, Herb Brown was
wrongly identified as Ernie
Harburn and in the Apr. 6
APRIL 13, 1883
A few days ago, David Stevens and
Richard Tasher sawed, split and piled one
cord of wood in 20 minutes on the farm of Jas
Stevens, Lot 2, concession 12 McKillop.
Wm. Beacon, a young man in the employ
of Robert McMichael of Hullett, one day last
week, alone and unaided, slaughtered 37
rats in ten minutes.
The total population of Brussels is now
1313, of who 406 are ratepayers. Total
children of school age are 750.
On ApriI6 the oatmeal mill at Wroxeter
had a very narrow escape from fire. The soot
below the plate had caught fire but because
the kiln is entirely built of stone with no
wood connection to the mill except at the
roof, workmen with a lot of work and the free
application of water were able to get the fire
out.
photo, Lions president Jim
Snowdon's name was spelled
incorrectly. The Expositor
apologizes for the errors.
In an old school photo,
taken at SS#1, Hullett in the
1930s, the cutline information
said incorrectly that Roy
Freeman was deceased. The
Expositor apologizes for the
incorrect information.
APRIL 17, 1918
The high winds of Saturday last tore part
of the roof off the shoe factory. It landed in
R.L. Clark's yard. Workmen were busy
immediately repairing it sothat in case of
ram no damage would be done the
machinery.
A.G. Ault has had a telephone placed in
his grocery store.
There was a charge audience at the
benefit concert given by the local talent of
the town in Cardno's hall on Friday evening
last. The proceeds amounted to something
over 5100, and will be given to the deserving
poor of the town.
At the regular monthly meeting of council
on ivtu,iday evening a largely signed petition
was received requesting 'the council to
consider purchase of the recreation grounds
for a public recreation park.
APRIL 14,1933
Rev. Father E.F. Goetz, for 15 years,
pastor of St. James Church has moved to
Wallaceburg. Rev. T.P. Hussey of Kinkora
will come to Seaforth.
The rainy weather failed to spoil the time
for crowds of people and entries at the
annual South Huron Spring Shoe in Hensall
on Tuesday. Entries were heavy in the cattle
and horse classes.
Miss Agnes MacPhail, Canada's one and
only lady .member of Parliament and a
C.C.Fr. spoke to a large crowd in Cardno's
hall last Saturday evening.- Wm. Irvine,
member for Wetaskisvin, spoke first and
referred to Miss MacPhail as the Joan of Arc
of the common ppeopple.
APRIL 18, 1958
Recent real estate changes include farms
owned by Norman O'Connor on the 2nd and
3rd of Hibbert to Thomas Sinfonsor and Jas
O'Reilly. The residence of Mrs. R. Kennedy
on West William to Mrs. Margaret Murray.
An outstanding dual-purpose Shorthorn
herd, that was established in 1934, owned by.
James M. Scott is to be dispersed at a sale
on May 14. included in the sale will be two
herd sires, 12 bull calves and 65 females.
On Monday evening Seaforth council
appointed an engineering firm to prepare a
study on a comprehensive sewer system to
be introduced in stages to cover the whole
town.
f
A