HEADMASTER’S ADDRESS

Opunake Times, 5 August 1947, Page 3

HEADMASTER’S ADDRESS

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSN. EDUCATION-ENVIRONMENT (Concluded from last issue) Staffing: As this problem effects us it is in relation largely to the senior positions. There is no shortage of teachers for such vacancies. In New Zealand today there are hundreds of able, experienced teachers waiting for promotion. Eor the married teacher the first question As “What chance of a house?” For the single, .usually a senior lady —Can I get accommodation?” To both questions the answer is definitely houses and board an' not available. The result is that young, inexperienced teachers are filling- the positions. A few of these are doingwell, but it is unreasonable to expect trainees from the Colleges to assume such responsibilities ? Eor how much longer are your children to be subjected to this? The educational loss is profound. Last year 1 had 5 different Probationers in one senior class. At .the end of that year one third of those_ pupils were (ineducable. Who is going to accept this responsibility for housing and accommodation? The Boards and Departments do not accept it. Once again—lt’s up to you.

Some years ago Professor Campagnac of the Liverpool University wrote: “A _ teacher should have in his own life those things which he envisages in the future live s of his pupils.” Look around you in Opunake and consider this fine ideal in the light of the present housing of your teachers! Can they give your children the best, can they keep their keenness, their enthusiasms, so necessary for teaching, when they are forced to live under such conditions! Material: In regard to the question of materials —the tools of education, I would like to stress this. What the government will supply will never be a great deal~ more than a bare

minimum. If the pupils are to have any of “the luxuries” of education it must he supplied bv- voluntary effort. I can’t help thinking that this has certain advantages. When a community makes the sacrifice to improve the educational facilities of their school, there is always a better attitude to the school as a whole. Moreover the influence or interest of the people is even reflected in more enthusiasm from the teachers. In the High School, at present we could do with " £2OO to supply and equip a library. We could wait for the government to do this, perhaps in ten or twenty years time. Are you prepared to see two genrations of scholars go without this help in their education.

Some of you may wonder why I jiave stressed the material needs and that there has been no mention of the training in character, the development of the spirit. I make no apology for this as it is my firm conviction that we cannot turn out “high grade” citizens from “low grade” surroundings. In the conglomeration of buildings which constitute our D.H.S. there is one bright spot, the M. &T. block, Tliis alone has the appearance and fittings one would expect in a building for the training of our boys and girls. You know how your children enjoy the too few hours weekly they, spend there? We teachers see the new dignity and pride in their work, I don’t know if the present instructors ever worked in the old rooms, but if so I would be glad to hear their views later. May I he pardoned for reiterating—“ls it not worth while that we spend a bit of money in seeing that the influences, Die environment is right?”

My plea is for the practical recognition, of the value of education, —of the proper training of our youth for the world of tomorrow. There has been enough of theory, too much preaching’, and too little practice. One could rjuote indefinitely from the remarks of eminent men, emphasising’ flie need and the value of education as a factor in moulding- a strong people. These words somehow satisfy our pride—the pride of the schoolmaster in the worth of his task, and of the parent in his children. Indeed they often tend to soothe us into inactivity, rather than sting us to action. If the work is so important, and all appear to agree on this, then let us strive to give our children fit places, the right influences, and from our schools there may go forth voung men and women who have learned much, who are prepared to give ranch, and who fear nothing.