KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19970, 11 December 1926, Page 15

KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION.

DIPLOMA EVENING. The annual diploma evening of the Dunedin Tree Kindergarten Association was held at the new Richard Hudson Kindergarten, Caversham, last evening. There was a large attendance of ladies interested in this work, and Mrs T. K. Sidey, president of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association, presided. Miss Dutton, supervisor of the kindergarten work, was presented by her students with a beautiful bouquet. Mrs Sidey welcomed those present, and intimated a number of apologies. She congratulated their principal, Miss Dutton, on the exceptionally good work she had done in training teachers and students. Miss Dutton aimed at a very high standard and Dunedin had a higher standard than other centres in the Dominion. The Kindergarten Union of New Zealand was now seeking to equalise that standard all over. The examination for their certificates was conducted by experts in their special subjects. It was proposed to hold a refresher course for teachers and supervisors in the various centres in rotation. The first one would probably be held in Dunedin about next June. . Mr S. G. Macfarlane, vice-principal of the Training College, referred to the fact that as a boy in his teens he had had to spend two vears teaching in an infant room. For the past two years he had lectured a little on principles of kinder garten training, and he supposed that was why he had been asked to speak. He said he was very glad to be a teachers because teaching work was constructive and preventive; because education was catholic and uniting, and because education was, in a broad sense and essentially, spiritual. Because education was spiritual in its nature it was progressive in its orgamsa tion, and in its ideals. I'hey should be glad and thankful that they were in any sense educators. While there was such a thing as individual life, yet that was found to e interpenetrated with the um\ci>al life, and that fact must not be lost sight of by teachers. Privileges always brought with it responsibility. The diploma students he advised to keep their hearts with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. He also strongly advised them to cultivate a hobby. , T , ■ Mr J. A. Moore, principal of the Haming College, expressed his pleasure at the fine work the kindergarten schools were doing, and the fine friendly feeling between children and teachers He thought the kindergarten schocis had made some contribution to the unproved spirit in the infant department of their primary schools He extended congratulations to the c J ip,ol " a winners and to the Kindergarten AssociatlMFs Frances Ross, principal of Columba College presented the diplomas to successful candidates. She commented on the beautiful hall in which they were met, and united with Mr Macfarlane in expressing her pleasure at belonging to the teaching profession. She paid a g rac duj.and generous tribute to the work of Mks Dutton and said she always looked forward to the time when the kindergarten work would be recognised as part of the educational system. Miss Ross then presented the diplomas as follows: — T , Misses Phvllis Burton and Adelaide Johnston: Honours, kindergarten practice, and Norman Russell and Gertrude Shiel: Honours—child study and kindergarten practice. „ . , Miss Gwendolyn Turpin: Honours in education. . . -11 Miss Annie Wilkie; Honours in handwork and education. , . . The Hancock memorial prize given by members of the Hancock family for conscientiousness and devotion 10 kindergarten work was awarded to Miss Reno vvilkie. Miss Dutton's prizes for excellence of daily record were awarded to Miss Gertrude Shiel (senior prize) and Miss Beth Saunders (junior prige). Miss Dutton took occasion to pay a warm tribute to the successful work done by her students during the past year. During the evening a very enjoyable programme was contributed to by Mrs R. dml son and Mrs Evans (duet). Miss Holland, Mrs Evans (song)._ Miss Dutton (recitation). A comprehensive vote of thanks was proposed at the close of the evening by the Hon. G. M. Thomson.