KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15954, 23 December 1913, Page 2

KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

RACHEL S. REYNOLDS BUILDING.

OFFICIAL OPENING BY EON. JAMES ALLEN.

Kindergarten institutions in the Dunedin district have been strengthened by the ro» cent addition to mc'-r number of the Rachel S. Eejnolds I'ree Kindergarten in Macandrew road, South Dunedin. The building was erected th.6 year with funds raised by public subscription and other means, aided by . a ' Government subsidy, and although it has only been open tor two months, it has already entered upon a career of increasing usefulness. Yesterday it was formally opened by the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Education, in the presenco of a number of ladies and gentlemen whose names are well-known in connection with kindergarten work in Dunedin. Tho chair was occupied by Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. (chairman of tho Building Committee). An interesting feature of the gathering was the presence of four of those who were associated with kindergarten work at its commencement in Dunedin—-namely, Hon. Mr Allen, Mr M, Cohen, Mrs Reynolds, and Mi6S Kelsey, The Chairman said they had met that afternoon to officially open tho building and to formally hand over the property to tho Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association. Ii was 6ome nine months ago sinco he was accorded the compliment of presiding at the laying of the foundation-stone of this building, and ho had now to acknowledge the further honour of presiding at this function—an honour which ho appreciated very much. On tho last occasion he dealt fully with the history of the kindergarten movement in Dunedin, and also w:th tho special effort that had resulted in the acquisition of this property and the construction of this building. That day they would not expect a speech from him. They were fortunate in having with them one who had been more closely associated with the kindergarten movement in Dunedin—tho Hon. tho Minister of Education, Mr Allen. _ He would presently ask Mr Allen to officially open tho school. Although tho school was only being officially opened, the building had beon completed for some months, work had been carried on in it 6'ince October, and it had been found, admirably adapted for its purpose. They would recognise that the situation was excellent, and that there was room both in tho garden and verandah for holding the school in the open air, which he regarded as very desirable whenever the climatic conditions would admit of that being done. 'The cost of the building had exceeded expectations. It was at first thought that tho sum -of £900 would bo sufficient to cover the cost of both the land and the building. Subsequently it was estimated that £900 would bo required for the building alone, which would have meant a total 6iim of £1200. That amount, however, had been exceeded by nearly £200. The actual total cost was £1397. There had been unforeseen contingencies, the extras amounting to over £100. They were much indebted to the Mackenzie Government and also to tho present Government, which had not onlv carried out the promises made by

its predecessors regarding the payment of a subsidy, but bad largely increased the amount of that 6ub6idy, the total subsidy received from the Government being £600. They were also greatly indebted to voluntary subscribers and the public, and especially to the trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank for a donation of £300—Applause.) The total receipts had fallen short of the required amount by about £63. This deficit was met by the application to that purpose of certain moneys which were intended for equipment. They now desired to appeal to the Minister of Education for the sum of about £75 to complete the furnishing of the institution. The total amount ol m,c_ney locally subscribed amounted tc £734. so that even w : th the additional £7E which was now asked from the Government, the total Government subsidy would bo within £ for £ on the local contributions. He hoped that the Minister would in his replj be able to indicate his willingness to find this sum for them. With regard to the special effort which had resulted in the possession of this land and Inrlding. ho wanted to specially recognise the valuable services rendered by the mothers of the children, both in connection with the first bazaar and also at the 6ilc of work at the opening of the building. He desired also to particularly mention the services of Miss Ruby Darling—(Applause.) It was this young lady who first conceived the idea of having of building owned by the Kindergarten Association specially for tho work in South Dunedin, and she had been the life and soul of the movement since its inception. When speaking on the last, occasion he questioned whether there was not room for improvement in their methods in connection with the primary schools, and he referred briefly to what was bcin? done in some of tho primary schools in America. With regard to the children of kindergarten age, from three to six years, increasing attention had been recently directed to the methods of Dr Montesori. It might be desirable that the kindergarten methods should bo to some extent modified on Montessori lines. If the kindergarten was to bo' regarded as preparatory to the primary school it would appear that tho Montessori system might have an advantago in such preparatory work, inasmuch as it included, apparently without imposing any undue strain, tho teaching of reading and writing to the pupils. The hon. tho Minister for Education might have something to say on that matter. The Education Committee of tha House, while approving generally of the finding of the Royal Commission on the subject ol tho kindergarten, was unable to recommend that tho time had yet arrived when the kindergarten should constitute ilie initial step of the educational ladder. In conclusion, he might say that he had been pleased to note tho general satisfaction with which the naming of this school had been received. It was universally regarded as a fittuv tribute to the invaluable and devoted services rendered by Mrs Reynold to tho kindergarten movement m Dunedin from its very inception.-(Applause.) Mr H. C. Campbell (treasurer) read the balance sheet, showing in detail tho figures quoted by tho chairman. Mr R. Gilkieou explained the terms of the trust deed, a copy of which he handed to Miss Kelsov, president of the association. Miss Ketscy, after apologising for the absence of Mrs Ulrich, said she counted it a great honour to bo the one whose duty and privilege it was to tako over that largo and beautiful model kindergarten. As one walked around and through the building one felt'that it was sb much moro than mere' brick and mortar. One saw thought in the placing of every stone, and care in the arrangement of every corner. In all tho details one recognised a wide and loving thought for tho little children—a thought that could havo 6prung only from an intimate knowledge of children's needs. For this they knew that Miss Ruby Darling and the Building Committee were to be thanked. They must also acknowledge the groat help rendered to tho cau'e by tho mothers of that district. From tfo very beginning, at Miss Darling's instigation, they took her thought not only into their minds, but into their hands and hearts, and, with great self-sacrifice and persistent seal, worked for two mother*' bazaars. It was through their self-denial that tho land was bought, and it was tho exainplo of their enthusiasm which brought so many subscribers into tho field. Mr Cohen had also done much for the movement, and fhe joined with her committee in taking that opportunity of thanking him. Tho association accepted tho gift • as a great trust committed to ito Jtands—a trust which it hoped to fulfil entirely in tho interest of littlo children. It was work such as that which would sanctify the building, which so fittingly bore tho namo of tho • Rachel S. Reynolds " building—a name they all delighted to honour.—(Applause.) It was hoped that this would not bo tho only kindergarten in South Duredin. On Saturday morning she had received from the Rev. Mr Fairmaid tho offer of hi 6 hall for another school.—(Applause.) Not only had Mr Fairmaid and his deacons offered tho use of the hall, but they had also offered the use- of their piano, and both offers were very much appreciated. Miss Kelsoy closed her remarks by thanking all those who had worked, or who had contributed money, for tho accomplishment of tho object in

The Hon. Mr Allen, Minister of Education, said it (rove him pleasure to bo there that day to officially open tho kindergarten. It was fitting that it should bear tho namo of "Rachel S. Reynolds."—(Applause.) Ho did not suppose there was anyone in Duncdin who was not acquainted with tho work Mrs Reynolds had done for tho association. He did noli know that sho was exactly the first to originate the idea, of tho kindergarten in Dunedin, but at any rate she was one of tho first, and her spirit had been with tho thing from the beginning to that day. It wns a work that did much not only for the children, but also for those who were associated with it as teachers or as supporters. Ono learned much from such work; one's heart was softened; and ono was truly a better man or a better woman bec'auso of his or her connection with the work. It wns a work in which one might delight to engage Ho was afraid there wero young women in the community who had no other thought in their minds than simply the thought of passing tho day tho best way they could, and ho wished to say to any who were so placed that there wero opportunities open to t'hern in which they could find work, and with that work plea-

cure and improvement, and afterwards they would bo oil the better able to take up the duties of life that lay before them. As for the attitude of the State to the movement, he had only to eay that the State was in earnrct sympathy with it and wished it to (succeed. As for Government assistance, the Government was always willing to help people who helped themselves. He 'understood I lie sum of £75 was required by the school to thoroughly equip and furnish it and make the building- free of debt, and he had to say that if the association could produce accounts to show that it had expended, without extravagance, up to £75 the Government would help it to the extent of £75— (Applause.) Touching on the future of the kindergarten movement, he could not eay what the connection would yet be between the State and the kindergarten movement. They were all learners, and it was difficult to say what the future would bring to them. Whether the movement would be influenced or modified by other movements one could not tell. He had eeen a good deal of tho Montessori system when he was in Rome, and ho was impressed with the fact that there was a good deal in it. Its principles were somewhat similar to those of the kindergarten. It taught the child to exercise its initiative and to relv upon itself, though in a different way from the methods of the kindergarten. Ho did not know that it would bo wise to adopt the Montessori system in its entirety. It might bo well to amalgamate the two systems. Montessori methods were applied not only to young children but also to children of 12 or H years of age. In New Souxii Wales the Education Department was' pursuing inquiries and making; experiments in regard to the system, and nad, indeed, gone further than Dr Montessori herself, and he hoped to bo able to gain some valuable- information from the New South Wales report when it came to hand. The State would not lose sight of tho kindergarten and Montessori methods. It was bound to adopt them where advisable, and use them m its schools. How that would affect kindergarten associations ho could not say. Kindergarten associations themselves, however, were reaching that stage when they feit that they must get into closer touch one with the other, and adopt measures by which teachere miglit be trained on a systematic plan. It was with that object that representatives of the associations in New Zealand had been meeting in conlerence recently. They had agreed upon certain hues of action—they Had not agreed upon everything—and "only within tno last week or so they had approached him, as Minister of Education, with suggestions. One of the matters they had agreed upon was that their teachers should bo more definitely recognised by the State, and they liad asked the Government to assist them by examining these tcaohers in such a way that there would be a definite standard set, which in t'ho one case would be equal to the standard set for kindergarten teachers at Home and which in the other case would bo a standard for New Zealand. Ho hoped, and he believed, that the department would be able to comply with tlio request—that it would bo able to examine kindergarten teachere throughout New Zealand, and would be able to say to some of them, ''Here is an examination of the home standard, and if you pass it you will be placed on a footing equivalent to that of the teachers trained'in Great Britain." To others, who did not want to get to that standard, he hoped tlho department would be üblo to say, " Tne Government will institute examinations which will be of such a degree that those who pass them will be entitled to go with their certificates to any kindergarten school in New Zealand with a definite mark given by the State, which will be recognised and which will be of advantage to you." He could not say anything further about the matter, as lie - had rclcrrcd it in the meantime to the dci partment to report as to whether it was posi sible ior the Stato to undertake these examinations. Ho believed, as he had said

betore, that the department would be able to do this, and he hoped that many of these teachers, with the Governnionr, murk upon them, would drift—and lie believed many of them would drift—into the nubl.c schools—(Applause.) The Hon. Mr Alien concluded with a reference to the excellent work of kindergarten teachers and to the untiring efforts of tho supporters of tho movement, and then, amid hearty applause,

formally declared the building open. Mrs Reynolds, who was cordially received, moved a vote of thanks to the Hon, Mr Allen. In a short address, s'ho re

ferred to a period in the history of the institution when they were short of funds. Sho thought they would have to close thenschool, but Mr Allen would not hear of it, and as a result of an entertainment more funds came to hand, and the school made a fresh start. Mrs Reynolds also referred to 'ho services of Mr Cohen and Miss Kelsey. She then gave an outline of the steps leading up to the building of the model kindergarten, in which they had

met that day, and paid tributo to . Miss Darling's arduous work, and to- the selfsacrifice of the mothers of the district and other willing helpers. . The vote of tnanks was carried unanimously. Mr M. Cohen, in a brief speech, alluded to the assistance the lion. Mr Allen had always been willing to render to the association, whether as a private member or as a Minister of tho Crown. The timo was

low ripe, he said, or shortly would be ripe,

for a movement to start in the north end of tho city a building similar to that in South Dunedin. The ground was waiting for them. Lot them, therefore, be up and doing, and if an appeal were made in tho proper quarter lie believed tho response would bo all that could bo desired.—(Applause.) Mr Co'hcn evoked another round of applause when ho intimated that sufficient funds had been collected to purchase

a new piano for the Rachel Reynolds School.