Editorial: Old school style gets results

OPINION: Many years ago a movie called The Breakfast Club was popular.

It was set in a US school on a Saturday with a group of students who had been hauled back into class for detention. The five characters comprised the nerd, the weirdo, the jock, the gangsta and the prom queen.

It was a classic of the films of that time and that genre, with a mixture of teenage angst and rebellion played out to a suitable soundtrack and the students taking advantage of the opportunity to sort themselves out.

The only thing Marlborough Boys' College's "Breakfast Club" will have in common with its cinematic predecessor is it, too, looks like an opportunity for students to have a little more respect for themselves and their situation.

New principal Wayne Hegarty has imported Saturday classes from Rangiora High School where he was deputy principal before taking up the top job at boys' college.

The idea is instead of standing down students and banishing them from the school, they stay on a Saturday to make up for bad behaviour. That serves two purposes; getting out of school can be the opposite of a hardship and it keeps students in the system rather than out of it.

There has been some criticism online that Saturday classes are making education a punishment and branding the school Marlborough Boys' Prison.

But the overwhelming reaction from parents – and students – spoken to so far seems to be almost relief that the school is going down this path.

Mr Hegarty talks a lot about consequences when explaining the philosophy that will see students spending three hours back in class on the weekend for truancy. It is a punishment that will have far more impact that a lunch time detention and brings real repercussions for students. And it is not just getting the kids back into school: students talk of the principal walking around the school and taking the time to talk to his charges as well.

The new regime may make the principal look old school. But it seems more like a very active interest in his students and a determined effort to rev up the college.

Discipline is not a dirty word. People need it in all areas of their life, through all stages of their life. It will keep people out of trouble and help them achieve their goals, be it the job they want, family life they aspire to, saving up for a house or just getting a six pack at the gym.

The point Mr Hegarty seems to be making is self discipline is the best kind. And better to find that out in school than anywhere else.

- The Marlborough Express

Newest First

Oldest First