POVERTY BAY TEACHERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19551, 5 February 1938, Page 4

POVERTY BAY TEACHERS

INSTITUTE’S BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD INTERESTING YEAR . Despite the inclement weather last evening, there was a good attendance of members of the Poverty Bay branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute at the annual meeting, held in the Gisborne Central School. In opening the meeting the president, Mr. J. E. Shimmin, welcomed to the branch four new members —Mr. R. C. Winn, who had come from Whangarata, Waihi, to take up a position in the Gisborne Central School, Mr. R. Brown, who had come from Southern Hawke's Bay to Wae-renga-a-hika, Mr. R. Short, transferred from New Plymouth to Te Hapara, and Mr. C. G. Calvert, instructor in agriculture. To these new members Mr. Shimmin tendered the best wishes of the institute and expressed the hope that their stay in Poverty Bay would be a happy one. Poverty Bay was a beautiful spot with a fine climate and these would help to make for happiness. He welcomed them to the institute in a true spirit of friendship. Mr. Shimmin reported that the secretary, Mr. A. W. Bird, had been transferred, and as the annual meeting was so close no other secretary had been appointed.

“New Era in Primary Education”

“The year 1937 opened when schools VJiere closed by medical authority owing to the prevalence of an epidemic of infantile paralysis,” stated the president in his annual report. “This branch was responsible for the calling of a meeting which formulated the programme for educational activities deemed necessary during that period. The success which attended the activities and the whole-hearted co-operation of parents, the press and officers of broadcasting station 2ZJ caused much gratification to those directly concerned.

“During the year the abolition of the proficiency examination and the substitution of the school certificate marked a new era ip. the history of primary education in New Zealand. The full realisation of this step and its attendant advantage will slowly but surely percolate through the syllabuses of instruction drawn up in the future. Benefits derived from the change will show themselves gradually and only after a period of years, may be fully gauged. It remains for teachers to show their appreciation of the freedom by meeting it in the spirit i,n which it was granted—a spirit which aimed at removing anything irksome in the complete development of the child. Grading- of Teachers “A matter which directly concerned the welfare of teachers was the step taken by the executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute in Wellington at the instance of the Department of Education to inquire about and obtain authority for • the substitution of group grading for numerical grading of teachers. The largest ordinary meeting of your branch fully discussed grading generally, and while admitting its many imperfections, whole-heartedly supported the principle of numerical grading as more fully safeguarding the welfare of teachers as a body generally. “A letter was received from the Mayor of Gisborne, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., inviting co-Operation of the schools in obtaining subscriptions for the King George V memorial fund. A gratifying response met the appeal of the executive.

“Matters generally which caused gratification to this body were the increased grants by the department to school committees and increased grants for the replenishment of school libraries.

"It will be necessary to note that the subscription for the ensuing year will be £1 16s. This subscription will be a general one for New Zealand; £1 5s of this will be forwarded to the national centre in Wellington.

Meetings on the Coast

“Inquiries were made from Tolaga Bay and Te Karaka as to whether the teachers concerned would welcome a meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute in their respective districts. Tolaga Bay replied by informing the executive of their intention of applying for affiliation with the Waiapu branch.. A sympathetic reply was received from Te Karaka and the incoming executive would be advised ,to formulate early in the new year arrangements for such a meeting

“Matters which should engage the lively interest and attention of the branch in the coming year are superannuation and salaries, both of which' are receiving consideration by the Education Department at present. “In October the senior inspector, Mr. T. A. Morland, M.A., received notice of his transfer toDunedin. This branch forwarded to him a letter of congratulation and thanked him for his efforts to sustain and further the reputation which this district had as a centre of educational activity. Before leaving, Mr. Morland found an opportunity to meet and thank the teachers for their loyal support in the cause of education. “I should like to thank the members of the executive and the secretary for the able way in which the general business has been handled during the past year. “On behalf of the executive I have been asked to tender to members of the local branch the wish that the year 1938 may not only be a happy one, but that prosperity in the true sense of the word may be theirs always.” Following the adoption of this report, it was decided to hold the submission of the balance sheet over until the next meeting. Election of Officers The following officers were unanimously Vlected: —President, Mr. W. H. Jones; vice-president, Mr. Parkinson; secretary, Mr. E. Caigou; delegate, Mr. J. E. Shimmin; management committee, Misses F. V. Ormiston, N. Oxenham, Messrs. O. R. Olsen, J. E Shimmin, Gubbins, and J. Cox; press correspodnent, Mr. J. Cox; auditor, Mr. J. S. Wauchop. A vote of thanks was proposed to the retiring president, Mr. J. E. Shimmin, for his good work during the past dwo years, for his interest in the branch and education generally, and particularly for his interest in the younger teachers, this being carried with hearty acclamation.

Replying, Mr. Shimmin said that when he came to New Zealand lie was filled with joy and had nothing but paeans of pi-aise. It was, he thought, the ideal country for education. There was one thing that impressed him, however, the fact that tiie young teacher was not alive to the benefits of the teachers’ organisation and did not take a deep interest in safeguarding the work done in the past. It was necessary to watch particularly, security of tenure and Ghe superannuation fund. Support of Young Teachers Teachers would have an interesting time this year when the new Education Bill came down, and the speaker hoped that members would feel as hopeful of the next five years as they had felt of the last period. He appealed to every young teacher to rally to the support of the branch by attending and taking an active interest. The speaker considered that the teaching profession was the second most important profession in the world although the church might challenge that. The doctor had in his care the body. The teacher had the mind of the young, and through his work lie laid the foundation for the future. As president, Mr. Shimmin continued, he had enjoyed his service in the institute and the co-opera-tion of men and women, who sacrificed much frequently to act in the service of all of the teachers. He had been fortunate in his associates' and offered freely of his services in any capacity in the future.

It was resolved to forward letters of appreciation to Mr. A. W. Bird, the past secretary, for his good work and his deep concern of institute matters and to Mr. J. S. Wauchop for his services as Hon. auditor. A further letter was to be forwarded to the two local board members for their interest and work for the teachers. New President’s Appeal The new president, Mr. W. H. Jones, of the Awapuni School, appealed to those present for their wholehearted co-operation if they were to succeed m this most important year. He appealed particularly to the headmasters to advocate the New Zealand Educational Institute and asked for the interest of the younger teacher. He urged all members to attend as often as possible and stated that all would have full opportunities for expression.

He would like to see the teachers of Gisborne get to know one another. If all attended this would be achieved and the branch would be a happy family.

It was decided to hold the executive meeting at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of the ordinary meetings, and that the arrangements for the ordinary meetings should remain unaltered. On the afternoon of Thursday, February 17, it is the wish of the executive that all members of the institute meet at the Waihirere Domain at 4 p.m. for a picnic, where all may meet and get together.