Popular High School Mistress Farewelled

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1943, Page 2

Popular High School Mistress Farewelled

Madame E. Brainsby, for many years instructor of music and singing at the Whangarei High School, was cn Friday presented with a toaster from the staff and a coffee set from tiTe girls’ school, when gatherings were held to bid her farewell on her retirement from the teaching profession.

The principal (Mr. A. R. Ryder) making the presentation at a special morning tea on Friday, paid tribute to the qualities of Madame Brainsby, and the work she had accomplished since she had joined the staff. She had' proved a loyal and generous helper and the staff hoped that she would enjoy a leng and happy retirement. Replying, Madame Brainsby I thanked the staff for their co-opera-tion and said that although she would no longer be actively associated with the school she would maintain always a keen interest in it. On behalf of the girls of the school at a special gathering also on Friday morning the head girl (Ella Berridge) presented Madame Brainsby with a coffee set as a mark of appreciation of her services and the esteem in which she was held by all of her pupils. She referred to the popularity enpoyed by Madame Brainsby among the girls, and said the pupils would watch her depart with real regret, and with sincere wishes for a happy retirement.. second in the competition for the Daughters of the Empire Trophy for secondary schools in the northern command, and in tlie MeCosh Clerk Shield for Bren Gun Teams. Last year, Sergeant M. Tebbutt had been selected for entrance to the Royal Miitary College at Duntroon. The work of the A.T.C. unit continued to develop very pleasingly, and he felt sure that the reputation of the old boys in the R.N.Z.A.F. would be fully maintained by those who proceeded from the school unit.

There had existed a fine spirit of cooperation and encouragement from all the friends of the school, particularly those Who had donated prizes and gifts, and in addition those friends who had so kindly entertained the members of various visiting schools. To the school prefects he owed his thanks for their ready help and assistance and to tlie staff for their loyal co-operation. To the members of the board he expressed his thanks for their assistance and their work on behalf of the school. Mr. C. V. Stringer had left the board after serving the school well. Mr. Ryder extended his best wishes for the future to pupils leaving. The majority of them had shown a fine school spirit, and if they continued to serve in a spirit of loyalty and cheerfulness, Iree from .selfishness, they would have no fear of their future happiness. .