WAIOTIRA SCHOOL

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1931, Page 6

WAIOTIRA SCHOOL

NEW CLASSROOM OPENED.

RT. HON. J. G. COATES OFFICIATES. Last Wednesday was a, red-letter day at Waiotira, when the Rt. Hon. J G. Coates, who was accompanied by Mrs Coates, visited the school for the purpose of officially opening the new classroom. The day was fine, and the school grounds were gay with flags, while the green lawn and the nice gardens combined to present a bright

picture. The chairman of the- school commit •tee, Mr F, h. Cubitt, met the visitors at the school sates ami then introduced them to Miss Hows, the head mistress, who escorted them to their seats on the lawn, where numerous parents and others were assembled. The boys and girls formed a guard of honour', from the gate to the lawn, the hoys standing at the salute and the girls eourtscying, both Mr and Mrs Coates being distinctly impressed. Prior to the opening speeches, Mrs Coates was presented with, bouquets by Mollie O'Shea and Elva Cross, The chairman extended a very warm welcome to Mr and Mrs Coates to the Waiotira school district. He drew the attention of Mr Coates to the well-kept grounds, the school and the general appearance of the school children, as evidence of why the residents were proud of the teaching staff. The chairman urged Mr Coates to do his very best with the • Auckland Education Board to have a teacher's residence , erected at Waiotira. It was the duty of the School Committees, the Education Board and the Education Department to see that teachers were -properly housed. The provision of a teacher’s residence at Waiotira was certainly a very urgent matter. Mr Stephens supported the chairman in extending a warm welcome to the distinguished visitors. Mr J. Cameron, on behalf ~of“The parents, thanked the/ School Committee for the work it was doing for the school children. The committee certainly had worked hard to obtain' the new classroom, and all hoped that the altered conditions would be a direct benefit to the teachers and pupils. In rising to address the gathering, Mr Coates was greeted with loud applause. He said that although both he and Mrs Coates had travelled all through the North, visiting and opening now schools, the way in which they had been received that afternoon was unique in their experience. He congratulated the School Committee upon securing such a good- staff, which had certainly installed good manners into the children. Mr Coates told the boys and girl® how necessary it w r as to have good manners. "Miss Hows,” he said, "has certainly set the- children a gOod example. This district has the right spirit. If true co-oper-ation exists between the -children, and the toaehcre, then the path is made easy for the teachers and for the work of the committee.” Mr Coates congratulated the children on the way in which they had received him and Mrs Coates that afternoon, adding: "Always pay respect to those- who are older than yourselves. It will do yon no- harm to touch your hat to your superiors. Be loyal to your teachers, be sure also to respect your flag, and above all remain true to your religion, and, whatever else you have, do have a religion,” Ho congratulated the committee on the new classroom, and sincerely hoped that it would bo the means of assisting to make the teaching of the children easier. Mr Coates then addressed the adults on the topics of, the day, after which he unlocked the new room and declared it officially opened. An inspection was then made of the school grounds, after which several items were given by the school children as follows.—-Sword dance in Highland costume by Evelyn Guest, two songs by the school pupils, and the Irish Jig by Audrey Guest. Afternoon tea was then -handed round by the wives of the committee men, after which the chairman, on behalf of the teaching staff, the School

committee and the parents and children, sincerely thanked Mr and ‘Mrs Coates for coming’ to Waiotira. to take part in the opening of the new dassroom. The visitors had made a lasting impression on the minds <if the children, and it was a day that would long lie remembered. Mr Coates, in replying, said that if the obtaining of a teacher’s residence in Waiotira was going to disturb the present staff, then lie Avonld advise the committee not to move in the matter; otherwise he would do his best to assist the committee to get

the residence. Afrs Coates also, in a few well-elioo-on words, thanked the children for the beautiful bouejnets presented to her, and the people for the very genuine welcome extended to her and her husband.