CEREBRAL PALSY SCHOOL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28963, 3 August 1959, Page 2

CEREBRAL PALSY SCHOOL

Celebration of Tenth

Birthday

The dining-room of the Cerebral Palsy School in Worcester street was bright with pictures and flowers on Saturday afternoon when about 100 children parents, staff and guests celebrated the tenth anniversary ot the founding of the school Among those present were pas' pupils and their parents, representatives of the medical profes sion, the Departments of Healte and Education, the Canterbury Education Board, the University of Canterbury, the Crippled Children’s Society and the Cere bral Palsied Welfare Association

Visitors inspected the bright classrooms and therapy rooms with special equipment. They were constructed in 1957. Photo graphs and clippings marking the progress of the school during the last 10 years were on display and a senior pupil with paralysed hands demonstrated the use of an electric typewriter with a metal pointer guided by the chin. Welcoming the guests. Mr P. A Hickling, chairman of the school committee, spoke of important events in the last 10 years. A highlight of the early days had been a visit from Dr. Earl Carlson, once a severe spastic who had overcome his disability to become a qualified physician. The Christchurch school, which was the first of its kind in New Zealand, was begun in a room in Mr Hickling's home with four pupils Later, under the auspices of the Education Department temporary premises in Gloucester stree' were used.

In 1957 staff and pupils <now numbering 25 from three years and a half to 18) moved into the new building specially con structed for that purpose. Mr Hickling praised the work of the many people who had made this possible including the patient devotion of former head teachers and staffs Departmental Interest

Mr S Knight, representing the Education Department, said that the department was deeply interested in the education oi handicapped children. He was glad to have played a part m getting the school properly equipped and it was rewarding to see the tremendous efforts made by the children. Equipment was important, but more important still was the relationship between staff and pupils, amt from the happy faces of the children and the warm atmos phere surrounding the school it was evident that it was a strong and happy one in Christchurch “I look forward to receiving an invitation to the silver jubilee of the school, typed, as was the invitation to this celebration by at. enthusiastic pupil.” he said. Miss B. M. Goldsbrough. principal of the school, welcomed guests on behalf of the staff; slv. paid tribute to the foresight of those who established the schoo and to the early workers who had branched into an unknown field with courage. Two thing.which had impressed her since taking up the work were the happiness of the afflicted children and the network of goodwill ano assistance. She spoke of the need for this goodwill and understanding to be extended to the general public .so that the children leaving the school might take ♦heir places as useful citizens in the community. Miss M. Collins, who retired after serving the school for eight vears. was presented with a gift on behalf of parents and children by Mrs M. E. Mclntosh, secretary of the school committee A novel feature of the celebrations was the large birthday cake iced as a blackboard and easel, inscribed with the words “happy birthday.”