TEACHERS FAREWELLED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 October 1930, Page 6

TEACHERS FAREWELLED

FUNCTION AT MANGATOKI

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATIONS. That the headmaster and infant mistress of the Mangatoki School —Mr A. E. Farnell and Miss McGregor —are highly esteemed, not only by the children 'of the school and their parents, but also by the whole district, was evidenced by the very large gathering at the social evening arranged in their honour at the hall last evening. It was one of the largest and most represenative seen there for a very long time, and throughout a spirit of cordiality and enthusiasm reigned. The evening opened with a most interesting programme contributed by children of the school, all of whom were given n very cordial welcome. The items included recitations by Master Jack Hammond and Miss Jena Marx and song bv Alice Muller., A playlet “Cousin Ann” was given in] capital stvle by five girls coached h\ . Mrs Lawrence—Joyce Carlson (the mother). Iris Carlson and Jean Burke! (the sisters), Margaret Lawrence, (Cousin Ann) and Alice Muller (the maid). Twelve of the girls isang an action chorus in costume, “Caller Herrin’.” the voices blending prettily and the acting adding point to the song. "These girls had been trained by " Miss Callaghan and Miss D Nicholas. In making the presentations Mr J. p. Marx, chairman of the committee, said they were sorry to say farewell to' the teachers and hoped they would see them visiting Mangatoki at some future time. He said Mr Earnell had been at Mangatoki just over tour years and was a man of original ideas, with the ability to work them out, and was highly regarded by the Education Board. He remarked on the fall in grade of the school and said that no less than six teachers had been transferred from Mangatoki during tlie year, which was very unfair to the school and to the teachers themselves. Mr Earnell, he added, had worked cordially and well with the committee and all were sorry to lose Miss McGregor, said Mr Marx, had been 14 years at the school and was considered one of the best infant teachers in the board’s service in a branch of work that was really most important of all, for the little ones were having their first brush with the world and needed very careful handling and the best influences in thenlives. . , , l'n the outside work of the school, especially in. the garden. Miss MoGregor hud done great service and her exhibits at shows had taken many prizes, while in social functions she had taken a full share in preparing children tor various performances at concerts. He then presented to Mrs Farnell two handsome pieces of Embosa chinaware and a case of cutlery, to Miss McGregor a gold wristlet watch, to Mr Earnell a smoker’s companion, and to Ron Farnell a watch, adding that with the gifts went the best wishes of the district. Mr Farnell, who was received with enthusiastic cheering, thanked all for their very great kindness and the good feeling evidenced by the large gathering of residents. Pie said the time in Mangatoki had been very pleasant and he had received nothing but courtesy, kindness and consideration from the chairman and members of the committee and from all in the district and, therefore, he was leaving with much regret. He thanked the children for the way they had worked and helped the teachers' and remarked on the great change seen in the relations between teacher and pupils, which were nowadays much more friendly. He had been very much assisted by the pupils in bis work and on bis part had tried to do bis very best for the children. After all, lie added, education and the school were for the pupils, and all concerned in the scheme of education should see that the children always got the utmost consideration. He' also, thanked the committee for their generous and consistent help and the parents and friends for all they had done to assist him in liis work. In conclusion, he said that the ideal of education was to make good citizens and worthy men and women, able to hold their own in the world, and he stressed the need of two qualities, “kindness in another’s trouble and courage in our own.”

He expressed on behalf of Miss McGregor her great gratitude for all that had been done for her and the kindliness and courtesy shown to her during the years she had spent- in Mangatoki. He acknowledged the value of her work as infant mistress and said that the people should realise what a capable teacher thev had had. He was glad, he said, to know that she was again to be one his staff at Kapongn and stressed tlie value of her good influence on the little children. Aftei- supper, supplied hy the ladies, dancing was enioved to music played by Mrs Attrill. of Eltham, the general arrangements being in the capable hands of Mr B. H. Parker.