AN ESTEEMED TEACHER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 March 1927, Page 5

AN ESTEEMED TEACHER.

RETIRES -FROM SERVICE. OLD PUPILS’ FAREWELL. The esteem in which Miss J. C. Slattery is held was evidenced last evening, when about 100 old pupils and friends assembled at a social evening held in the Savoy Hall to bid farewell on the occasion of her retirement from the teaching profession, and her departure for an extended holiday abroad. Miss Slattery has given nearly 40 years in the service of education, during the latter portion of which she ha,s taught at the Hawera School. An interesting programme of dances, musical items < and games was submitted and generally approved. Mr J. W. Harding, chairman of the school committee, extended a welcome to all who attended. He said that Miss Slattery was probably better known to the younger people. She was looked upon as being one of the most efficient teachers in the district. The speaker’s acquaintance with Miss Slattery extended over 15 years, and he knew that as a teacher she had done very good work at the Hawera school, as well as at several others. The former school had for many years sot a high standard, and to some extent he felt that this was due to Miss Slattery’s efforts. All who had been taught by her during the fifteen or sixteen years that she had been associated with the staff at the Hawera school would agree that she was a particularly good teacher. She was leaving the school with the hearty good wishes of all the members of the school committee, with whom she had always worked in harmony. He looked upon her as one of the leading teachers in the district, and felt that she was One that the board would have difficulty in replacing. '* • Mr A. Lees, district member of the Taranaki Education Board, remarked that the gathering indicated the high esteem in which Miss Slattery was held by those who owed to her a part of their education. If a teacher were to make a success of the teaching profession she must make a hobby of it, and the speaker was sure that Miss Slattery had done this. Teaching nowadays amounted to more than the “Three R’s,’’ for a number of additional subjects, which were quite as important, had been added to the curriculum. Part of Miss Slattery’s success was due to the concentration she gave to her work, and the fact that she was always able to gain the confidence of her pupils. The Education Board knew that Miss Slattery had carried out her work well, and on behalf of all the members he extended to her best wishes for an enjoyable holiday and good health.

Mr J. W. Harding read an. apology received from Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., who said he had known Miss Slattery during the whole of her educational career and could 'testify to her success in that and other work.

Speaking on behalf of the old pupils, Mr W. G. Watts said they were bidding farewell to one of the best teachers on tho staff of the Hawera school, and to one who bad done most for primary education in the district. They were glad that she was able to retire and take a long holiday, but regretted her departure. Her pupils owed a great deal to her for the discipline she maintained, and the speaker remarked that to a large extent one’s career depended upon one’s earlier life. He then presented Miss Slattery with a camera and expressed the old pupils’ best wishes for her future health and an enjoyable holiday. Mr R. P. Morrissey replied on behalf of Miss Slattery and expressed her appreciation of the remarks made by tho various speakers and of the handsome giftDuring the evening items were given as follows: Miss L. Bullock, recitations “Ballad-of Glorious Silence” and “The Lecture”; Mr E. Paecy, songs “Ser-geant-Major on Parade” and “Youth.” Supper was served and the remainder of the evening spent in dancing, Mr Morrissey acting as M.C.