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SIXTH FORM STATISTICS--
A recent survey of the sixth form produced some interesting results.
To the reader, I might mention that the results are as far as possible true
and accurate. You doubtless have your own opinion of the sixth form student,
be it good or bad; but it is hoped that this article will make that opinion
closer to the truth.
They say that figures do not lie, but did you know that the average
sixth form girl wants to marry on the first Saturday in September, 1963 ?
The girl is usually very definite in expressing some marrying age. On the
other hand, the sixth form boy views the great step with a fatalistic outlook.
Of 26 boys in the class, seven just say “malheureusement, it will happen !”
while only two seriously want to remain bachelors. Of the remainder, the
marrying age is 23.6 years, the keenest member aiming to marry at 20. the
slowest at the age of 26.
Have you ever thought what the typical sixth form boy is really like ?
Facts show him to be quite an awe-inspiring creature with a countenance of
rare charm and a noble bearing. He is 5ft. 9.75ins. high and weighs 10st. 1lb.,
with hazel eyes, brown hair, and a complexion like
“Rose moles all in stipple ......................... landscape plotted and pieced.”
(Thank you Gerard.)
The sixth form girl is 5ft. 5.5ins. high, weighs 8st. 9lb. and has bleary
green eyes. She is, generally, quite attractive when done up. but the colour of
the hair is rather difficult to define. According to the survey, it somewhat
resembles that of a tawny rat, but as one girl freely admitted, what does it
matter as it changes colour with every rinse.
Teachers often wonder just how much work a class really does do. It
may surprise them to know that four girls and four boys admit that they do
not really deserve to pass Senior and that two boys do no homework at all.
On the other hand, the average homework time for a boy is 3 hours 4.7 min
utes a night, while a girl does 4 hours 12 minutes per night Three girls and
one boy do six hours or more per night.
In the class of 44 there are 24 teacher trainees of mixed views. In
answer to the question “are you a teacher trainee ?” replies included “yes. un
fortunately” and “don’t be daft !” Could the profession be losing some of
its glamour ?
There is some hope left for the world in that 14 out of 26 boys and
10 out of 18 girls hope to go to the University.
The basic difference in outlook of the sexes is shown in the fact that,
whereas the majority of the boys considered Stewart’s haircut ridiculous,
three girls claimed it to be “very nice”, while four said that it was a credit
to its designer, who is, I assure you. a very talented fellow. An alarming
point is that four class members would have preferred it cut eight inches
shorter.
The Sixth Form has thrown itself into school activities remarkably
well this year. Neglecting qualifying events, 15 boys took port in the swim
ming carnival, and 13 in the sports’ carnival, while the corresponding figures
for the girls were 10 and 1. These figures would leave the other forms for
dead. Eight boys are in the cadets, and four girls in Q.S.S.S.S.A. ball games
teams. The lack of numbers here is not due to lack of spirit, but due to the
fact that ball games practice is a terrific drain on time.
Class opinion on various topical subjects is most interesting. When
asked if Latin should still be taught in schools, only six stalwart boys and
three girls were in favour of its retention.—“Latin Must Go” is the general
conscientious cry.
Some comments on the curriculum :—
Chemistry: “Crazy mixed-up.”
French: “Hortense dance le cancan France”—Double Dutch.
Geography: Some students having difficulty with their contours—there
are 76 million oysters harvested annually in Australia.
Physics: Can’t get moving with Kinematics, can’t see the light In
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