FREE KINDERGARTEN

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 14

FREE KINDERGARTEN

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPOST

The following is the annual report of the Dunedin. Free Kindergarten Association, the annual meeting of which will be held to-morrow afternoon: —

It is gratifying to find that much interest continues to be shown in the work of the association among the children attending the Kelsoy-Yarana, R. S. Reynolds, Richard Hudson Memorial, Kaikorai and St. Kilda Kindergartens. It was also gratifying to the Government again, this allowing council to receive capitation from the salaries to be raised to a more equitable basis, and also allowing some necessary repairs to be made to the buildings, and the equipment in the kindergartens to be renewed. At the beginning of the school year arrangements were made for the reopening of the North-east Valley Kindergarten, which event took place on March 16, with an attendance of about 25 children. It is hoped that shortly this number will be doubled —the number on the roll now being 35—and that the kindergarten will be as successful as it was five years ago. At the end of March the roll numbers were:—KelseyYaralla 50, R. S. Reynolds 51, Hudson Memorial 52, Kaikorai 35, and St. Kilda 47. „ . ,

Once again the Archeriidd School girls have shown their interest in kindergarten work by raising £SO towards the expenses connected with St. Kilda Kindergarten, and by making several visits there to see the children at their work and play. The local committees have worked well in the interests of their respective kindergartens, and by means of garden parties, jumble sales, euchre parties, etc., have raised £250 for incidental expenses. The mothers and fathers have done fine work in many ways. They have given in' donations £2O 7a 2d and have raised £25 9s 4d for special purposes. The annual stree.t, day was held last June. This effort was organised by a. sub-committee under the direction of Mrs Batham and, with the assistance of many willing helpers, was a financial success, £146 being adrled to the funds. The book stall at the Winter Show was again arranged by Mrs Gilkison, and £22 19s 4d was raised by this means. It was with regret that the council received the intimation from Mrs Gilkison that she could no longer organise this effort. Arrangements have been made for a sub-committee consisting of Mesdames Gallaway, Mac Lean, and Theomin to take charge this year. Special donations were received from the Kindergarten Association and from several interested friends of the kindergarten movement. During the year the teaching staff, under the sympathetic guidance of Miss Dutton, has given efficient service to the council and to the children.

The council is indeed _ indebted to Miss Dutton for her inspiring example of unselfish and devoted service to kindergarten interests. At the end of 1936 Miss Desmoulins, who had been director at R. S. Reynolds Kindergarten, resigned because of her approaching marriage, and Miss Hancock resigned from the position of teacher of music to the students for the same reason. Miss Wilkie, who was appointed principal of the Christchurch Free Kindergarten, resigned from the position of director at Kelsey-Yaralla Kindergarten. Miss Jean Stewart was appointed to fill the vacancy at R. S. Reynolds, and Miss Frances Holland, who was previously with the Wellington Association, was appointed to Kel-sey-Yaralla, while Miss ■ Gertrude Shiel was appointed director at North-east Valley. It was decided to appoint two extra assistants this year, this being made possible by the generosity of one deeply interested in kindergarten matters, who made a donation of £SO towards the salaries required. The assistants appointed permanently to the staff were Misses Burnside, Seddon, and Fairbairn, and Misses Fraser, Lightfoot, ’ Neill, Somerville, and Whiteside were appointed for 1937. - Eleven students completed their course of training, and were presented with their diplomas at a function held in December. Unfortunately this year there are no senior students, this fact contributing to the necessity of having extra assistants.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union was held in Wellington, when Lady Sidey and Mrs Ewing represented this council. It was decided that the refresher course for kindergarten teachers should be held in Dunedin in the last week of the second term. Miss Martin attended'the principals’ conference, held in conjunction with the union conference, in place of Miss Dutton, who was unable to attend.

It was with real regret that the council heard that Mrs Ewing would not be able to carry on the duties of president this year, -because of her serious illness. The council rejoices that she is now. convalescent, and wishes her a happy holiday when she leaves shortly on a world tour. Mrs W, B. Taverner, senior vice-president, is carrying out the duties of president until the end of April. Mrs Phillips will then fill the position until Mrs Ewing returns. In conclusion, the council would ask for the same generous financial support in 1937 to enable this educational and philanthropic work to be carried on efficiently among the children. The movement should be extended and developed in other suburbs, where the need is great and where much could be done in nurturing good citizenship. The jubilee of the movement will be held in April, 1939, and it is hoped that some forward step will be undertaken before then as a fitting memorial to the pioneers who had the vision to start this great work among the little children of Dunedin nearly 50 years ago. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. We have pleasure in reporting a good year’s work (states the principal, Miss N. Dutton). Over 300 children passed through our kindergartens. Physically, mentally, and in the formation of good habits, these made steady progress. They had the advantage of a healthy, happy environment, and the devoted care of our directors and their assistants, who are full of enthusiasm and loyal to the principles and aims of kindergarten. The abrupt ending to our 1936 activities owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic was disappointing to us all. Break-ups and parties had to be abandoned, but the directors saw to it that Christmas gifts for the children and presents they had made for their parents found their way to every home. Eleven students completed their training and gained diplomas, which were presented on “ Diploma night.” These students were kindly admitted to the Normal School for a short period. Their training followed the usual course of practical work in kindergartens and attendance at the principal’s class and lectures. They also had tuition in art from Mr H. V. Miller, and in music from Miss Hancock, and in basketry from Miss Hetherington. The chief event of the current year is the reopening of the North-east

Valley kindergarten. It was with deep regret we closed it when Government aid was withdrawn from us in 1932, and it is a great pleasure to set it going again. For several years we have supplied our children with milk during the winter term; now we are glad to be under the general distribution scheme.