Hocken Digital Collections

Smithells, Philip Ashton, Professor : Papers

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Reference NumberARC-0494CreatorSmithells, Philip Ashton, Professor, 1910-1977DescriptionThis large collection includes a wide array of correspondence, papers and photographs collected during Smithells' career as Professor of Physical Education. It includes material concerning the establishment of the School of Physical Education and papers relating to the New Zealand Association of Physical Education. There are also papers relating to various notable physical education figures such as Royd Garlick, C.E. Hercus, R.E. Roper, A.P Roydhouse and J.P. Northey. Other material includes papers, publications, clippings, photographs and slides relating to health and welfare, dance and drama, and physical and general education for all ages.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyPhilip Ashton Smithells was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He was educated at Bedales, a liberal boarding school, and then attended Cambridge University where he graduated with a BA in English and Economics in 1932 and an MA in 1935. From 1932 he studied Physical Education with R.E. Roper, a leading authority, and then obtained the position of master in charge of Physical Education at Gresham Free Grammar School, where he also taught English. Here, Smithells developed his research into remedial work for pupils with poor physical skills. In 1934 he married Inge Ross Christensen, a Danish student.
In 1939 Smithells moved to Wellington, New Zealand, as Superintendent of Physical Education in the Department of Education. During this time, he formulated policies and philosophies which revamped the primary and secondary school syllabuses. During World War II he also advised the army and air force on remedial training and rehabilitation. In 1944 Smithells divorced his first wife and married Olive Frances Whitta, a teacher of physical education and dance.
In 1938 C.E. Hercus proposed a School of Physical Education to teach a three-year diploma course to selected students. It was not until 1947 that the School was finally established at the University of Otago, with Smithells appointed as Director. He recruited staff, devised a curriculum and assembled equipment in time for teaching to begin in 1948.
Throughout his teaching he stressed the responsibility of physical education teachers towards those with poor motor skills and the average performer. His professional writings were published widely in New Zealand and overseas and he was heavily involved in the affairs of the Physical Education Society of New Zealand.
Smithells had many other interests, including drama and dance. He acted in various Dunedin theatre companies. In their retirement he and Olive lived in the Society of Friends settlement in Wanganui, where Smithells died on 13 January 1977.

Photograph

Smithells playing with boy, while group of girls watch in background.

Girls playing stick game

A student, Alison Bell, the well-known swimmer, has her feet examined by senior students in the Clinic for Individual Physical Education

Five men doing headstands on a vaulting horse

The gym at the School of Physical Education

Sling ball

Kentucky running set

Philip Smithells and two women in outdoor gymnastic demonstration

'The Director [Philip Smithells] lecturing on Somatotyping, Muir School of Physical Education'

Philip Smithells with Dr Ann Peterson and S. Mair

Building hut at Trotters Gorge

Archery at camp

P.A. Smithells teaching

'[Philip] Smithells with staff and students from 1948 and 1949 intakes'

'Why weighing machine broke down'

'Reginald Squatting'

'With Ford'

'Meditation on front door leak'

Too dancers facing left

Three dancers facing front/right

11 dancers, five dressed in black, six in white

Dancers, two facing left and three facing away from camera

Philip Smithells and two women in outdoor gymnastic demonstration

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsPhysical education and trainingGymnasticsDanceTheatreDrama - Study and teachingPhysiologySportPhysical education teachersAthleticsRecreationOutdoor recreationPlaygroundsUniversities and collegesUniversity of Otago - Staff, Council and GraduatesUniversities and colleges - Faculty

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Smithells, Philip Ashton, Professor : Papers

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