REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22484, 19 August 1938, Page 19

REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS

♦ LAftGE ATTENDANCE AT OPENING 1 -The .Canterbury College Hall was filled to overflowing when a large gathering attended the opening yesterday of a refresher course for school - teachers .organised by the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. The attendance was the largest ever seen at such a course, according to Dr. J. Hight, Rector of Canterbury College, who was present. The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr R. M. Macfarlane,. extended a welcome to the many teachers from all parts of North Canterbury, remarking that the attendance showed their appreciation of the work of the organisers. School teachers had a great responsibility, he said, and he knew that New Zealand teachers shouldered theirs as well as any. Not only was this refresher course unique because of its size, but also because the, handwork classes’that were included would be something new. ' Mr C. W. Allard, president of the institute, expressed his thanks to various persons before he introduced the Mayor. He thanked the council of Canterbury College for the use of the buildings, the Education Board for allowing the two free days, the subcommittee who had done all the hard work of organisation, and the staff of the training college. Replying to these thinks. Dr. Hight said that the college council was always willing to help in any more that was for the good of the teacher and the child, and would welcome the multiplication- of such courses. Mr W. A. Service, chief inspector tp the Canterbury Education Board, said that the board also was willing to help in such work. He had seen all sorts of refresher courses held before, organised by the different sections of the profession, but never had he seen such a large attendance. , , The course, which will end to-day, includes lectures in reading, infant project work, upper school speech and project work, leather work, bookbinding, cane work, plastic work, and toy--making, weaving, puppetry, and a talk on observations and experiences in London infant schools by Miss D. M. WiHis. ___________