HAPPY WHAU VALLEY

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1929, Page 3

HAPPY WHAU VALLEY

THE BUILDING- BAROMETER

MINISTER CONDUCTS OPENING

The occasion of the Education Minister's visit to Whan Valley School yesterday afternoon, was given added Interest by the opening of a new wing to the building. The additions comprise a sunny classroom and a locker and rack pantry devised on the very latest lines. The interest the people of Whan Valley take in their ‘school I was proved by the large number of parents andl others, including the Mayor and Mrs Jones, who attended. The School Committee was also well represented, and it was pleasing to see members of other committees present. “Our .welcome is cordial and unique, for it is accompanied by no requisitions, ’ ’ said Mr J. S. Donaldson, chairman of the School Committee, in welcoming the Minister. "Our buildings are adequate' and modern, the playing fields have been converted from a paddock into the present state I within three years, and the children, j under the capable, supervision of Mr | Bishop and staff, are happy and proi grossing. Increased attendance has I lifted the school a. grade, making | necessary, the additions, which have been capably carried out by Mr Windust. The Education Board has been ! most liberal in its subsidies, but the progress of the school would not have been possible without the co-operation of committee, teachers and parents." SCHOOL SOCIAL CENTRE. "Looking about me, I don't begrudge anything that the Auckland Education Board has done," stated Mr A. Burns, the chairman of that body. "It is indeed pleasing to realise what a keen interest the people of this area show in the progress of their school. Nothing is more true than that the school should be the social centre. Whatever the religious beliefs dr politics of a person may be, he can give useful and Interesting service to the community by assisting the work of the school. Additions to school buildings are a- good barometer. They show that a. locality is progressing," Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P., said: "The mercury is certainly rising in Wh.au Valley, The progress of the school is a matter of congratulation to all concorned." ENTHUSIAST IN WORK. "The Chairman of the Board of Education said he would not take on my job for twice what I receive," said Mr Atmore, "but I would be prepared to do the work for half, for to me the development of the undeveloped assets of childhood is so fascinating, diversified and interesting. "The educational system of New Zealand must be remodelled on new lines to suit the needs' of the country. Hitherto it has been dominated too much by the academic influence, the adoption of which has come from Oxford and 'Cambridge. It is heartening to find that our educational system is much above party polities. To the education of each boy and girl in our schools £l2 10s is devoted yearly. I hope that the enthusiasm which the people of Whan Valley have shown in their school will be maintained." ' NEW WING OPENED.

The Minis-ter then opened the new wing to the .school,' In doing so he said that he trusted that every boy and girl who passed through the door would ho imbued with the highest ideals, have their intellects sharpenend to tit them to. find work in New Zealand, and then, on leaving school, pay some attention to New Zealand’s greatest industry—farming. As at the other schools he visited, the Minister was loudly cheered by the pupils.