OUTSTANDING TEACHER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 8

OUTSTANDING TEACHER

RETIREMENT OF MISS EDWARDS

A pleasant informal function took place last night, when the staff of the Training College and the teachers of Wellington gathered in-the social room of the New Zealand Educational Institute to say good-bye to. Miss Edwards, infant mistress of tho Normal School, on the eve of her retirement from her position. Tho Education Board, tho Training College, the University, the1 Normal School, and the Education Department wero all represented. The proceedings were of a most cordial character, nothing being more evident than tho great admiration and es-' cem that this outstanding infant, teacher has inspired in all thoso who have worked ■ with her. She is one of that band of able women teachcr.s who have made the infant room the finest and most advanced feature of tho education system in. New Zealand. A number of musical items wijre contributed by the teachers,' and Mr. Jenncr', of tho Training .College, presided at the piano. Mr. Lomas, .principal of tho Training 'College, Professor Gould, of the .University, Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman'of tho Education Board, Mr. Lambourne, ■ Chief :, Inspector of Primary Schools, and Mr. Kidson, headmaster of the Normal School, all spoke of the splendid work done by.Miss Edwards, and of tho admirable influence she had exerted upon infant school methods in tho • Wellington district.' Professor Gould: said he'claimed some credit for haying-discovered Miss Edwards when he was inspector in tho Wellington' district. Ho expressed the utmost admiration for the pleasant, joyous spirit that always marked the children's work in her school —the absence on the one hand .of any signs of harshness, and on, the other of any suggestion of molly-coddling. Mr. Forsyth" spoke of/the loss which her departure would be to education iv Wellington. She "was one who always most unselfishly communicated all her knowledge of her work to others, to their benefit but. not ,to.'.her'loss, .for she could not cidbw'them'with her personality. He'''wont;;on • to- say. that although she. was. .to married that need not mean a 'total loss to .the profession. The boards, were given discretion in the matter; and he for one would not think' of' excluding from the schools a married teacher of Miss Edwards 's ability. In this he was supported by the senior inspector for tho district, Dr. MII wraith. Mr. Kidson spoke very feelingly of tho loss the school was suffering and the great help Miss Edwards was ,to him and the.staff. She induced in the infant classes the atmosphere of a good home. • Mr. Henderson, Inspector of Native. Schools, replied on behalf of Miss Edwards, and expressed her thanks to all tho speakers for their kind remarks, and especially to Messrs. Forsyth; Gould; and Kidson for tho way they had stood by and assisted her in the past. ' , • ' '" ..