FAREWELL TO HEADMASTER

Franklin Times, Volume XXX, Issue 95, 27 August 1941, Page 4

FAREWELL TO HEADMASTER

PAPAKURA DISTRICT SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS MADE TRIBUTES TO MR T. N. PEMBERTON There were three ceremonies on Friday in honour of Mr T. N. Pemherton, M.A., headmaster of the Papakura District School when presentations were made by the teaching staff, pupils and residents. Mr Pemberton has recently been appointed headmaster of the Grey Lynn School where lie will take up his duties after the holiday vacation. Tn the morning at 10.30 the teaching staff assembled to bid farewell to their chief, Mr W. R. Searson, senior assistant, before making a presentation of rn attache case, said that from reports made it was obvious that the Papalcura school had improved in the recent two and a half years under Mr Pemberton. He was an efficient headmaster, great on detail sometimes of course, unpopular in certain quarters —but efficient nevertheless. They had all learned much from their chief and all were sorry to lose him. Efficiency led to happiness which he was pleased to see so much in evidence. In presenting a little gift from the teachers, Mr Searson wished Mr Pemberton every happiness in Grey Ppm and expressed Ihe hope that it would only be a stepping stone to a greater and more important position. In reply Mr Pemberton said he had had a wonderful time at Papalcura and his staff had been second to none, if only judged on last year’s grading. All I have had to do was to ask —and it was done.” he added. In concluding the headmaster expressed his thanks for what the staff had done, because each teacher had done his 01 tier job truly and well.

PUPILS’ PRESENTATION At 1 p.m. tlie children of the school met Mr and Mrs Pemberton. A very beautiful bouquet was presented to Mrs Pemberton on behalf of the pupils by Wilma Forster. Mr Searson referred to the teachers’ little ceremony where they made a presentation and added, “now children it is your turn and at your own

suggestion.” In a few words the two head prefects. Bruce Henderson and Norma Clarke, asked Mr Pemberton’s acceptance of a fireside chair as a token of their high esteem and regard. Mr Pemberton in reply said. "1 know I've been an old bile, hut 1 'o tried to treat you as 1 would treat my own little hoy or girl. I have been trying to train you so that you will he able to lake your places in the country as good citizens. My time at the Papalcura. school has been a very happy one. and children, every time 1 sit in this chair 1 shall lie thinking of the bovs and girls at Papalcura.” (Cheers).

THE AFTERNOON CEREMONY The Mayor. Mr S. Evans, paid a tribute to the splendid work done by Mr Pemberton for the school during his term as headmaster. Mr Evans stressed the importance of the part played by a school teacher on the life of voting people. It reflected hack into ihe child’s home life. A prominent statesman once said that given control of a child at seven years one could do anything with the child for good or evil. ’ He congratulated the headmaster and staff on the efficiency of the school and the good work done in the last two and a half years under Mr Pemberton. Mr Evans, on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Pemberton willi a fire side chair as a mark of their appreciation of the interest he had always taken in the young people under his charge. (Applause). Mr Pemberton, after expressing his thanks for the handsome gift, said the school had a Parents’ Association and School Committee second to one and Ihe work he had been able to do was largely due to the co-operation and help of the parents and staff. The Parents’ Association had been a great help. Anything the school needed was always forthcoming as instanced by Hie fact thal the Association had raised £IBO during the last two years for the betterment of the pupils’ education. He instanced the swimming bath, and dental clinic in particular. In conclusion he paid a handsome tribute to the loyalty of his staff. . To the children he urged them to give their best work to the teachers in the future as they had clone in the past.

Parents’ Tribute

The chairman of the Parents’ Association, Mr G. H. Davis, spoke of the personality of ihe headmaster and said lie could sec from that, that he meant 1o change things in the school when he came to take over. Mr Davis pointed to the swimming hath, a hotter clinic service and a better backing

from Hie parents through the Association, as something achieved. The discipline of the school was good. A feature was that there had been no accidents on the Great South Road outside the school through better precautions being made for the safety of the youngsters. The cleanliness of the school and grounds was another point Mr Davis mentioned. In addition there wits better sports equipment and a wider range of interests for the pupils, as instanced by the brightness of the class rooms, where specimens of the pupils handwork adorned the walls. In congratulating Mr Pemberton on Hie many good improvements tie Initiated, be said it was tbrougn their headmaster that the Parents’ Association was brought about. Mr M. J. Finn, chairman of the school committee, also eulogised Ihe work of the'headmaster.

During the afternoon a lira eke t of choral numbers was given: Standard i children under Mr H. W. lon, who gave the “Sands of Dee,” standard 5 under Mr W. It. Searson. “The Ton Rand.’’ and standard (>. “The March of Te Haiiparaka,” under Mr Iv. G. McIntyre. The singing concluded with

“The Song of Australia,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” The New Zealand National Anthem and Ihe National Anthem.

Afternoon tea. was served by theladies of the Parents’ Association and School Committee.

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