TEACHER RETIRES

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 42, 28 May 1935, Page 3

TEACHER RETIRES

THIRTY YEARS AT BURNHAM.

PRESENTATIONS TO MISS A

WRIGHT.

A period of service at one school which probably constitutes a i?ecord so far as the Canterbury education district is concerned has been completed by Miss A. Wright, who recently retired from the teaching, profession serving for almost 30 years as head teacher of the Burnham Public School. It is a record of which Miss Wright and the people of the district have cause to feel proud, for it indicates that there must always have been cordial co-operation between the teacher, the successive school committees, and the residents, with resulting benefit to the school. To mark the occasion of Miss Wright's retirement, a large number of residents gathered in the gymnasium at the Burnham Camp on Saturday night for a concert, followed by a dance. The room was gaily decorated and the evening being ratheir chilly, welcome warmth was provided by a good fire. The concert, which proved very enjoyable, was given by a Christchurch party organised by Mr A. S. Mitchell, those taking part being Mesdames Commons and E. Baker, Misses Fraser arid Brooks, and Messrs J. McLean, E. Baker, R. Malcolm, A. S. Mitchell and R. Fraser. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Mitchell and Mr Baker. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr J. H.Williams, chairman of the School Committee, warmly thanked Mr Mitchell and his party and those who provided transport.

Before supper was served, presentations were made to Miss Wright on behalf of the residents of the district by Mr Williams, who said that messages conveying good wishes to Miss Wright had been received from former pupils living as far north as the Auckland district and from as far south as Southland. During her period of almost 30 years at Burnham, Miss Wright had taught a large number of children, many of whom were now leading citizens in various parts of the Dominion. Her record of service was one of which she had every reason to feel proud. Although the work of a teacher was in some respects interesting, it was also very arduous., at times and called for qualities which not everyone possessed in sufficient degree to prove successful. At all times Miss: , Wright had exercised infinite pati-! i ence and perseverance, taking a deep interest in the welfare of every pupil under her charge. In a sole charge school the work was especially difficult and exacting, and it was remarkable that Miss Wright had been able to fill such a position for so many years and obtain excellent results. There were times when children had to be chastised for their own good, and occasionally parents expressed disapproval of such action on the part of a teacher, but the Burnham residents on the whole had always recognised that if punishment1 had to be given it had been well merited. Great responsibility rested upon the shoulders of school teachers. The . children were in their hands during their most impressionable age and what they became in after life depended very largely upon the influence of their teachers. Miss Wright had always exercised an influence for good and old pupils of the school throughout the country looked back with pleasure and gratitude to the period spent at Burnham School. The people were especially pleased that Miss Wright intended to spend her retirement in the Burnham district. She would find many opportunities of rendering service to the community and the people would be grateful for her interest and help in local activities. Mr Williams concluded by presenting to Miss Wright, from the residents of the district, a very fine chesterfield chair, and a handbag bearing a silver plate inscription and containing a sum of money.

Musical honours were accorded Miss Wright.

Mr W. P. Spencer, a member of the Canterbury Education Board, expressed his pleasure at the opportunity of being- present to pay a tribute to the fine record of service established by Miss Wright, and apologised for the absence of Mr W. A. Banks, his co-member as representative of the ward in which Burnham was situated, who had lately suffered a bereavement. He also apologised for the absence of Mr C. S. Thompson, chairman of the board. He could well recall those occasions when, as a boy. he had misbehaved and his parents had threatened to send him to Burnham. In those days the Industrial School was carried on in the premises now occupied as the Military Camp. "Those threats a> ways put the wind up me and caused

an improvement in my behaviour," said Mr Spencer. After half a century it was a real pleasure to him to visit the district on ah occasion when they were honouring a teacher with a wonderful period of service. He did not know any instance of a teacher serving for so long a period in one place, particularly in a sole charge school. What struck him as being even more remarkable was the fact that in the whole 30 years Miss Wright had been absent for only three months on sick leave. In that respect her record provided a striking contrast with the experience of some teachers. At no time had Miss Wright ever caused the Education Board any trouble; indeed, he had not even had the pleasure of meeting her until that evening. People did not always realise what a great asset a good teacher was to any district. Teachers were able to play a very important part in moulding the character of the children, and one often found in districts where a good teacher had served for a number of years the influence of the teacher reflected in the lives of the people when they grew up. Miss Wright had every cause to look back with pleasure and pride upon her work, and he had no doubt that she would derive much satisfaction from following the careers of many of her old pupils. As a member of the Education Board he wanted to pay a tribute to the splendid work that school committees were doing. Frequently complaints were made that the board was far from generous in dealing with requests from committees, but he would point out that the board was badly handicapped in regard to i funds and had to do the best it could j with the money provided by the de--1 partment. When he was chairman of the board it had been his endeavour to do as much as possible to help the school committees, especially in those cases where the committees were doing something to help themselves. He had visited 400 schools during his term as chairman and had been able to see for himself the vast amount of good work that commit-' tees Were doing, and to-day he was more than ever convinced that it had been a great mistake to cut down the education vote. When the Public Works Department wanted money for any purpose it presented a request to the Government, whereas in the case of schools it was necessary to raise a lot of- money by way of concerts and other functions to undertake improvements which should be carried out by the Government., The elimination of subsidies was one of the worst steps that had been taken, but he hoped they would be restored in the near future. Burnham School was fortunate in the fact that a Mr Jasper, a former resident, had bequeathed a substantial sum for school purposes. He was sure that the money would be wisely spent by the committee. Mr Spencer concluded by wishing Miss Wright many years of good health, to enjoy her well-earned retirement.

Mr Robert Malcolm, a retired teacher who had served for 42 years, said he appreciated the opportunity of being able to pay a tribute to the fine record established by Miss Wright. It was especially pleasing to find Miss Wright still enjoying good health and vigour. She was undoubtedly doing the right thing in retiring while still able to enjoy life. Too often one met cases where teachers had hung on to their positions until they were too old or until their health failed, before deciding to retire. Apart from considering their own interests, it was right to think of the younger teachers who were anxious to secure positions. When he retired four years ago he had told the people that he would work half a day and play half a day. He had done so and had found that his time was fully occupied. It was absolutely essential for a person going into retirement to have a hobby, and he would strongly advise Miss Wright to take up some form of sport such as croquet, in addition to making a hobby of gardening or some other congenial work. He congratulated Miss Wright upon retiring while still at the zenith of her powers as a teacher, and expressed the hope that she would enjoy good health for many years.

Mr C. J. J. Storrie said he had known Miss Wright for a number of years and that he had always found that, she had put her best into her work. She had also rendered good service as a citizen besides showing many favours to different people in her own quiet way. As superintendent of the Sunday School he could say tbat Miss Wright had often given financial help without waiting to be asked. The people of the district were pleased that they were not losing such a good citizen from their midst.

As secretary of the School Committee, Mr E. Coleman said' that there had always been a very cordial relationship between Miss Wright and the members of the committee. He had found her ever ready to co-operate with the committee in

connexion with all matters affecting the welfare of the school. Miss Irvine, the present head teacher at the school, had asked him to apologise for her absence, due to indisposition, and to convey her good wishes. With the other speakers he sincerely hoped that Miss Wright would long be spared to enjoy her retirement.

At the invitation of Mr Mitchell, junr., a former pupil of the Burnham School, all past and present teachers stood and gave three rousing cheers for Miss Wright.

Replying, Miss Wright, who received a very hearty greeting, said she had made up her mind many years ago that she would give up teaching before people began to ask each other, "Is it not time that Miss Wright retired?" She felt that some of the kind things said about her that evening were scarcely deserved. At all times she had striven to do her best for the children. One had few idle moments in a sole charge school, but the work had its compensations. It had been very interesting to follow the careers of so many children right through the school and in their after-life. The parents had always been very good to her,' and in a variety.of ways had helped to make her work as pleasant as possible. Her association with those who had formed the School Committee from time to time and the kindness she had received from the Education Board would always remain as pleasant memories.

After supper, dancing took place until midnight, Messrs Shadbolt,

Erridge and McKay supplying, the music, while Mr Coleman was M.C.

CHILDREN'S GIFT.

That Miss Wright occupied a very x

warm place m the hearts of the school children was apparent on the occasion of her last day at school, when an opportunity was 'taken to accord her a farewell and to present a token of regard. A number of parents attended, and Messrs E. Coleman and E. Wilson were present to* represent the School Committee.

Some enjoyable items were given by the children, and a bouquet was handed to Miss Wright by the youngest pupil, Colin Wilson. After reading a neat address from the children Dorothy James, the oldest pupil, presented Miss Wright with a handsome xylonite photo frame and stand

Miss Wright warmly thanked; the children for their though tfulness and token of regard, which would always be treasured very highly. Afternoon tea was served, and before .the gathering dispersed three hearty [cheers were given by the children atthe call of lan Brown. The National Anthem was then sung, followed by "Auld Lang Syne." PERSONAL. Mr P. N. Erridge, who has been on the staff at Burnham Camp for some considerable time, is to be transferred to Trentham shortly. He has taken a prominent part in.social and other activities in the district, having rendered valuable service as a musician at dances and other functions, and his departure will be a [distinct loss to the district.