CHANGES IN SCHOOL STAFFS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1933, Page 6

CHANGES IN SCHOOL STAFFS

SERIOUS EFFECT ON PUPILS. HEADMASTER URGES ACTION. Miss L. Finlay left at the end of March, to take up an appointment in Christchurch and Miss T. Ryan, ..from Newton West, Auckland, will fill the vacancy at the commencement of the second term; Miss Margaret Morrison and Mr. G. W. Wellington will, replace Misses Burgess and Dickson at the same time, stated the headmaster of the Stratford school (Mr. L. J. Furrie) in his report to the annual meeting of householders on Monday night Mr. Furrie said this necessitated changes of teachers in three classes at the end of the first term. He could not refrain from touching on the matter of too frequent changes of teachers. He had referred to this very serious aspect of the staffing of primary schools in previous reports to the school committee, and he thought it was a matter which should seriously occupy the attention of all members of school committees which had the welfare of their schools at heart. It had been definitely established that one of the chief causes of retardation among scholars was frequent changes from school to school.

Frequent changes of teachers must ultimately have a similar effect on certain types of pupils—those whose temperaments and emotions were subject to disturbance by variation of method and management. Of course, owing to the amount of unemployment among young teachers at present and the consequent rationing of work, it was to be expected that more than the normal number of changes in the staffing would be made. Educational bodies in the interests of the pupils and of the young unemployed teachers should interest themselves in bringing about a change in the present system.

The rationing scheme was referred 1 iin the Taranaki Education Board’s annual report as follows: “As an expediency to provide employment for a larger number of young people the scheme fulfilled its purpose to a limited extent; but the scheme has been too much under the department to produce the best results. A continuance of the scheme for a longer period than is absolutely necessary is undesirable. These young, inexperienced teachers are placed in charge of classes for three months and are then removed. The frequency of these changes is not in the best interests of the child, and has caused some concern amongst headmasters, school committees and parents.”

“This considered opinion of the Education Board expresses the position as it is,” said Mr. Furrie. “No fault is to be found with the young people, who are the victims of the economic depression and of the scheme under which they are working, and this is recognised by the departmental inspectors, who refer in the board’s report to the enthusiasm and energy displayed by these young teachers. They also pay a tribute to the headmasters, all of whom, they report, co-operated with the inspectors in an attempt to overcome a difficult problem.

“It remains with , other educational bodies to assist the education boards by constructive criticism to work out some better plan to place before the department, which is doing its best to overcome the position. It is not part of my duty, nor is it advisable at this meeting for me to suggest alternative schemes, but one can safely say that the Educational Institute and the , headmasters would willingly co-operate with the authorities in bringing about an improvement in what is admittedly a difficult problem. The whole system of staffing and transfers should be considered with a view to lessening the disorganisation caused by too frequent changes in school staffing.” I THURSDAY HOCKEY TEAMS. The following hockey teams have been picked for to-morrow’s matches:— Stratford Old Girls seniors v. Waitara at Stratford: N. Lash, M. Ferguson, M. McCluggage, C. Clarke, R. Childs, L. Wickham, M. Young, U. Mills, B. Watkins, G. Hale, E. Irving. Stratford Old Girls juniors V. Eltham at Eltham: E. Wendlebom, J. Whitmill, C. Whittlestone, F. Morrison, K. Howe, H. Reader, D. Pettigrew, D. Cook, D. Lilley, I. Schwieters, C. Marsh. BUSINESS MEN’S LUNCHEON. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESENT. An opportunity to meet Messrs J. P. Luke, vice-president, and A. 0. Heany, organising secretary, of the Associated Chambers of Commerce was afforded Stratford business men yesterday at a luncheon given in the Medina by the Stratford Chamber of Commerce. Messrs Luke and Heany are touring the North Island and are visiting the chief centres en route. Nineteen business men attended the luncheon, and the president of the Stratford Chamber, Mr. J. B. Richards, was in the chair. Mr. Richards welcomed the two visitors. In the past, he said, there had been cases where those who had departed from true principles were hammered until they re-embraced them. He thought New Zealand would likewise be hammered till it returned to true principles. The Mayor (Mr. Thomson) joined with Mr. Richards in extending a welcome to the visitors, and while regretting that their stay would be short said he was sure it would prove profitable to Stratford business men. ELTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE. REPORT FOR PAST MONTH. The final meeting of the old Eltham School Committee was held on Monday prior to the annual meeting of householders. The Education Board advised that Miss E. Rowe had been appointed probationary assistant. Mr. Goldsmith eulogised the services of the chairman, and a motion of appreciation of such services was carried. At a subsequent meeting of the new committee the chairman (the Rev. Rybum) and Mr. Kemp were appointed representatives on the South Taranaki School Committee’s Association. Mrs. Clifford Jones and Mr. Kemp were appointed to the dental clinic committee. Messrs Walsh and Mehrtens were appointed a visiting committee for the month, and Messrs Barnard, Lynch and Mehrtens were appointed a baths committee. It was decided to meet on the first. Tuesday in each month.