Starting School

The head mistress of a Secondary Modern School for girls had the good idea of organising a school party each year at the end of the summer term, the guests to be the pupils about to move up to ^e Senior school and the leavers to act as hostesses. It is difficult to tell which group derives the greater benefit, the 15-year-olds proudly showing the "little ones" around and enjoying their own uttportance in making them feel at home, or the newcomers who receive such a cheerful introduction to the new phase in their school career. There is certainly one type among the 11-year-olds who is very considerably helped, namely, the children in whom fear of the unfamiliar tends to outweigh the attraction of any novel e*perience. One would wish this example to be followed up at ?ther Senior schools. However, there are earlier milestones which Xvould make some imaginative attempt at encouragement even more desirable.