FRIENDS OF THE KINDERGARTENS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23444, 26 September 1941, Page 2

FRIENDS OF THE KINDERGARTENS

SUCCESSFUL MEETING It is only two years since the society of the Friends of the Kindergartens was formed, its objects being to spread interest in the kindergartens, to help the Kindergarten Association financially, and to encourage young girls to take up the work of becoming students. On Wednesday afternoon a largely attended meeting of the Friends, held at the Winter Garden, was presided over by Mrs E, Hitchcock, vice-president, in the absence of the president, Mrs H. T. J. Thacker. Specially welcomed guests, to both of whom Mrs A. Keith Hadfield, treasurer of the association, presented a floral spray, were Miss Laura Tabart, a member of the association since its inception 30 years ago, and a life member, and Miss H. Hull, principal of kindergartens in Christchurch since the movement began until a few years ago, who has also been made a life member. Mrs G. Bishop presented a bouquet of camellias to Mrs Hadfield. The Rev. D. R. Hay spoke interestingly on religion in the kindergarten, prefacing his remarks by saying that the system of secular education existing in New Zealand was introduced with the idea of avoiding any danger of sectarianism growing up in this new country. “Now it seems that all is not well,” he said, “and the question presents itself how to get back religion in education without sectarianism.” The best approach to the subject, Mr Hay considers, is by way of the child and his religious needs. Mr Hay said he spoke of religion as “the spontaneous movement of the person towards God.” Very early in life a child learns to connect cause and effect, and learns to expect certain results from certain actions, and looks . for order. ~This Js ...the child mind’s first reaching-wffileiHfoe ftjjst cause—God. —This ■ spontaneous-'move-ment should be cultivated, arid can well be done in the kindergarten where by the use of the simple things around them, children may be taught that everything has its place in God’s scheme,*and the foundation of all his religion laid in the early years of the child’s life. Mrs Hadfield detailed the work of the conference that she, with Miss R. Wilkie, principal of the kindergartens, had attended in Wellington lately. Delegates were present from North Auckland to Invercargill, and, she said, she was more than ever convinced that the free kindergarten movement was important, and would grow considerably in the future. During the afternoon songs were sung by Miss Helen Hodgins, accompanied on the piano by Mrs J. C. Cullman, and after tea Mrs Stephen Parr gave a short talk on the “Lighter side of London life” illustrated by some amusing anecdotes. Miss Hull and Miss Baster thanked the speakers, Miss Hodgins and Mrs Cullman.

SWIMMING CLUB The-thirty-flrst annual meeting of the Christchurch Ladies’ Amateur Swimming Club was held recently, when Mrs W. Brown presided over a fair attendance of members. It was decided to hold the “opening splash” early next month. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs W. Brown; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames M. J. Ballantyne, E. L. Rutherford, M. Cordy, C. Bryant, M. E. Lyons, E. F. Stewart, D. Wagner, and Miss Helen Brown; captain, Mrs L. Piper; vice-captain, Mrs H. Drummond; secretary-treasurer, Miss D. Brown; management committee, Mesdames T. W. Thomson, J. Cairney, N. Coburn, Misses G. English, O. Hobson, and J. Clubb; competition judges, Mesdames W. Brown, J. Cairney, K. Le Cren, N. Coburn, T. W. Thomson, L. Piper, and Miss V. Stewart; race officials, Misses B. Hobson. G. English, P. Briggs, and J. Bowman; delegate to Canterbury Centre New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, Miss D. Brown; delegate to Royal Life-Sav-ing Society, Mrs N. Coburn; honorary auditpr, Mr S. K. Bassett.