Kourion Complex Basilica? Survey calculations (Oct.–Nov. 1938)

Continued from scan 33

… in the House. This is an influence which is not particularly good either for the older or for the younger boys. The eventual solution will lie in the separation of the very young from the oldest boys in different Houses, but under the present conditions, the application of such a scheme, necessary though it may be, lies too far in the future to merit any immediate consideration.

This problem has been partially met by assigning our youngest boarders, those whose ages range from nine to twelve, to the two dormitories on the ground floor of Kehaya Wing, and by providing a program specially suited to that age. Besides being more closely watched in the little details of their everyday life, these boys are specially supervised during their evening study hour; they have a slightly different diet in the evening and eat an hour earlier than the rest of the boys; and they go to bed earlier, so that they can get a total of ten hours of sleep. They are also given an after-dinner period of organized recreation which is of special interest, for it is during this period that they make their first acquaintance with a system of recreation specially designed to encourage in them indirectly the development of self-discipline and good citizenship and the formation of a School spirit and a House tradition. Encouraging results have been achieved during the last three years that this system has been in operation; during the year just past particularly, largely due to Mr.Panagopoulos' contagious enthusiasm and ability to deal with younger children, these boys showed a most gratifying loyalty to their group and to the House. By focusing our attention on them and by helping them develop early in life an attitude of loyalty we are building on sound foundations.

For the same reason, I believe that any desirable expression of student activity that promises to eventuate into a healthy campus tradition some day should be given our whole-hearted support. Experience has taught me that the secret of keeping the morale of the House high is to see to it that the boys always have something exciting and worth-while to do . Through a program of developing interests and of keeping the boys busy at activities which they enjoy, many a disciplinary crisis has been avoided. Such a simple activity, for instance, as an unexpected fire-drill may have positive value for raising morale. It is sometimes hard for us, who have to associate with children from early morning until late at night, to remember that "boys will be boys" and that we should make allowances for what appears to us at the moment to be a case of incorrigible "badness" but what is really nothing more serious than a little boyish mischievousness or a bit of excessive noise. For, after all,there is no virtue in order "for order's sake." Orderly conduct and quiet among the boys are maintained so far as they are necessary to establish favorable conditions for study, recreation and sleep and to teach the boys to respect the work hours and comfort of others. We do our best to furnish plenty of outlet for energy and adolescent growth through athletic, social and extra-curricular activities in the House. Many of the parents of our boys in visiting the school are surprised to find a hum of industry rather than the dead silence which was once so highly prized. The emphasis in discipline has been shifting gradually from quiet, order and submissiveness to industry, initiative, and cooperative and intelligent obedience.

A number of special activities were organized by the House during this past year. The list includes dinner parties at Halloween, on Christmas Eve, and one at the end of the year with the graduates of the Boarding Department as the guests of honor; several "guest nights"; two dances for the older boys; and two camp fire suppers. There was on the average one voluntary excursion for the boarders every weekend throughout the year and sometimes there were as many as five or six small parties going on hikes or picnics on the same weekend. The annual House excursion took place during the month of May in a forest by the sea on the road to Corinth. A Boarders' Glee Club was formed during the latter part of the year but the boys felt they had not had enough time to prepare themselves adequately for a public appearance this year. Through the courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Dounias a number of Sunday evening musicals were made possible for the first time this year. The boarders formed their own platoon, and, after two months' training in marching and military drill, participated successfully in the 25-of-March School celebration. Another outstanding activity in the House was the traditional "Boarders' Review", a light theatrical performance composed of a dozen humorous scenes and sketches full of local school color. Stage imitations of the mannerisms and pet phrases of the members of the Faculty never fail to amuse the boys. For a period of almost a month some sixty boarders were busy composing, rehearsing and preparing the stage for this show which offers welcome relief in a heavy program of mental work.