A POPULAR TEACHER

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 2

A POPULAR TEACHER

RETIREMENT OF MISS ETHEL BURN Miss Ethel Burn, who is retiring after 35 years’ teaching service in Christchurch schools, was the guest, of the Elmwood School Parent-Teacher Association last evening. Her appointments have been:—l9l3-14. pupil teacher at Phillipstown; 1915-16, Teachers’ Training College; 1917-22. Opawa; 1923-31. St. Albans; 1932-36. Spreydon; 1936-41. Richmond; 1941-49, Elmwood. For most of that time she has been teaching infant classes. The president of the association (Mr J. Denford) conferred life membership on Miss Burn. Parents wished to retain the benefit of her experience, he said. Mr W. T. Langley, chairman of the Elmwood School Committee, presented a gold wristlet watch to Miss Burn from parents. She had an outstanding record, and was recognised as one of the Canterbury Education Board’s most competent teachers, he said. The headmaster (Mr C. D. Gilling) said Miss Burn had an ennobling influence wherever she had been. She was loved by infant classes, to whom she had given a great start in education. Teachers who had trained under her direction found her helpful at all times. Parents admired her for her understanding. A spray was presented to Miss Burn by Mrs B. H. Winchester (a former pupil), and other speakers were Miss N. Hopkins (senior staff) and Mrs McNae (infant teachers), and Mr V. H. Reid (Heaton Street School staff). Miss Burn said teaching, was a satisfying life for anyone who really loved children. Any irritations were discounted by the amusing habits of pupils. She related many incidents in her career. One small boy had said: “I nearly fainted when you told us how many pennies there were in a pound.” When Miss Burn told another group of infants that she was not very good at drawing cats, one remarked: “Well, you can’t do everything perfectly.” Songs were sung by Miss Hopkins. Mr Reid, and the Rev. Donald F. MacKenzie, and piano solos played by Mrs M. B. M. Henderson.