HAUGHTY HEADMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Southland Times, Issue 25302, 4 June 1935, Page 4

HAUGHTY HEADMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor. Sir, —In your paper of Saturday last, I read with interest the official explanation given by the Headmasters’ Association for its failure to comply with the Education Board’s request that the school children were to take part in the public celebrations of the Silver Jubilee. True, Sir, the explanation contains much that is worthy of commendation. Much can be said against the parading of school children in a body at civic functions. It would seem more beneficial to discontinue the custom. But a decision in this matter must come from the recognized authority, and not from an association that has arrogated to itself power that does not and should not belong to it. Insofar as that the Headmasters’ Association has shown itself interested in the welfare of the children, the explanation was quite satisfactory; But because the association’ has shown a lack of respect to proper authority, then the decision of the Education Board was most fitting and just. Unfortunately it seems, that the Headmasters’ Association has allowed the worthiness of its cause to be killed by a bigoted blindness to have a crack at the military people. Hence there is a very strong suspicion that the members of the association are wanting in commonsense and in good judgment. This lack of good judgment, Sir, is also to be found in the decisions made by this association in regard to the sporting activities of the children of the various schools of Invercargill. Undoubtedly the competitive spirit' in sport can lead to many abuses, but the remedy for these abuses is not to be found in trying to push the sporting element out of school life altogether by bombastic idealism. Members of Football Clubs, Basketball Clubs, Cricket Clubs and Tennis Clubs the time is not far distant when the membership of your clubs will be at a very low ebb. Why? Because of the attitude towards snort in our schools as enforced by the Headmasters’ Association. It is simply preposterous to think that such a state of affairs should be allowed to continue. Where is the teacher, worthy of the name, that cannot see in sport a great opportunity of developing those points of character that will ensure the greatness of our citizens in the future? It is to be hoped, Sir, that the Education Board will in the near future, have an opportunity of giving consideration to this matter also. Thanking you again for your valuable space.—l am, etc., PATRIOT.