A POPULAR HEADMASTER

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11650, 15 October 1923, Page 3

A POPULAR HEADMASTER

MR B. KEAN’S PROMOTION FAREWELL AT HATAITAI SCHOOL A large number of the parents and residents of Hataitai assembled at the Ilataitai school ou Saturday night to farewell the headmaster, Mr B. Kean, who is transferring shortly on promotion to the Blenheim school. In bidding the guest of the evening an revoir, IMr H. R. Searle, chairman of the school committee, referred to the excellent service the school and district had derived from Mr Kean’s organising abilities, which were responsible for tho splenaid progress achieved during his thro© years’ regime. He had gained the love and respect of the children, the goodwill of the parents, and the admiration of the school committee for the manner in which the boys’ and girls’ mental, physical, and moral welfare had been cultivated, and therefor© all concerned were profoundly sorry that tho happy association was being interrupted. It was a pity that a teacher who had made good in a school had to remove elsewhere to secure promotion, and the present i grading system needed alteration in that respect, lie congratulated Mr Kean on his well-merited promotion to the Blenheim school, which he was assured would benefit by the transfer, and on behalf of his colleagues presented the headmaster with a framed photo of the school committee, coupled with their sincere good wishes for Mr and Mrs Kean’s future prosperity. Mrs D. Ardell enumerated the practical benefits the school children had derived from Mr Kean’s methods, and suitably expressed the universal regret that tho school would no longer command his eervoes. As a slight token of appreciation and goodwill from the parents and residents of the -district she presented him with a cheque, and at the same time wished him and his wife unbounded success in their new sphere.

On behalf of the teaching staff and children, Mr A. Kirk mentioned the cordial relations which had always existed between them and the 'headmaster. The conditions had been ideal, and as a result the morale cf the school was excellent and the general tone was high. The teaching staff sincerely regretted th© break, and he was eure the children were similarly placed. In reply, Mr Kean, thanked the speakers and the parents and residents for their good wishes. Personally, he was sorry that his connection with the Hataitai school would be terminating shortly, but it was necessavy to accept promotion when offered. It was pleasant to know that hie methods had been appreciated, but the teaching staff had in no small degree contributed to the general result: and he thanked them for their valued co-operation. Hataitai had been his first headmastership, and he would always retain very pleasant memories of the goodwill and friendship which had resulted from his association with the school and district.

Cards and dancing were indulged in, whilst a programme of songs by Mrs J. Woodward and Mr Howard Foster and recitations by Miss Mary Cooley contributed in no small degree to the success of the evening’s entertainment.