Page:Rambles in Australia (IA ramblesinaustral00grewiala).pdf/49

Rh set out with clean linen, and fresh flowers brought by the children. We noticed among them what looked like a small edelweiss, the Australian "flannel flower."

The period of education at these intermediate schools consists of a four years' course lasting from 12 to 16. A "Leaving Certificate" on the completion of the four years' course must be obtained by examination to enable the student to pass into the University. Some students are drafted into the Training College for Teachers, or, after the four years' course is finished, students may stay on at the school to study special subjects. We were impressed with the appearance of the children. They were healthy, well-to-do, and attractive; their manners were frank and without self-consciousness.

One of the older girls, who was deputed by the headmaster to show us the way to the station, would have compared favourably with any English schoolgirl of the same age. Her father had visited England, "and you have no sand in England," she added, half incredulously, "and father could not make them understand about the sand here." She came from up-country, and was able to tell us that two handsome large grey and black birds with a singularly limpid note were "rain birds." She also pointed out to us two