KINDERGARTEN BREAK-UPS

Evening Star, Issue 21285, 14 December 1932, Page 11

KINDERGARTEN BREAK-UPS

REYNOLDS “ Considering the important work we carry on in the - community among the children, it is very questionable whether Government economy in the cost of education should have been exercised so ruthlessly as to cut off the whole of the grant that was given us in the past,” said Mrs Evans, vice-pre-sident of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association, when addressing the large gathering of parents and interested friends at the break-up ceremony of the Rachael Reynolds Kindergarten yesterday afternoon. The total loss of the Government grant had thrown a big burden on tlie shoulders of the authorities, but they- had been fortunate in being able to keep open all but one of the institutions, mainly through the enterprise and generosity of the general and local committees. Miss Buchan (the principal), tlie directors, and the staff had made heavy sacrifices, and in spite of setbacks the usual bright atmosphere of the schools had been preserved. In conclusion, she desired to thank the local committee of parents for. continued interest in the school, the Mothers’ Committee for its organisation of various evenings in aid of the school, the Fathers’ Committee for assisting at these evenings, also Miss Scott, Mr and Mrs Cosgrove, Mr and Mrs Lethaby, and Mr Ritchie for donations. A display of the work taught in the kindergarten was given by the children, who later accepted the gifts from the Christmas tree,, before the ceremony was brought to a close. MORNINGTOH The pupils of the Mornington garten, under the direction of Miss Wilkie, entertained their parents and friends at the break-up yesterday afternoon. Mrs J. Hanan, secretary of the New Zealand Kindergarten Union, addressed the mothers of this comparatively new district. She said that anyone watching a kindergarten programme at a break-up might think the children were over-taxed; but the programme as presented really represented only one side of the kindergarten’s activities, much time being given to rest and to quiet work, such as handwork. She stressed the value of the teaching to the slightly backward child and to the lonely only child. She also announced, on Miss Wilkie’s behalf, that, the needs of the rapidly-growing school involved a move to the new Methodist Sunday school, where the kindergarten would reopen next year. A small but efficient Santa Claus then distributed gifts from the tree to the children. ST. HILDA Remarking on the position of the St. Kilda Kindergarten at the break-up ceremony this morning, Mrs Bundle, representing the local committee, told the large number of persons present at the Scout Hall that, with the generous assistance of Archerfield College scholars, the institution would be able to continue next year. The Archerfield girls’ action was greatly appreciated, and they were iielping a worthy object. The speaker paid tribute to the work of Miss Desmoulins (principal) and her staff, and thanked all who had rallied round the kindergarten to help during the past twelve months. Items of a varied nature were presented by the children. Gifts from the Christmas tree were handed out to the children for their _ before the close of the function. This afternoon the staff entertained the children at a party. >