TEACHER TO LEAVE

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 3

TEACHER TO LEAVE

MR. G. A. LYALL’S RETIREMENT. TRIBUTE FROM THE COMMITTEE. At the conclusion of the business at the meeting of the Fitzroy School Committee on Wednesday night the chairman, Mr. J. D. Robb, on. the last occasion Mr. G. A. Lyall, the headmaster, was to attend, tendered to him the thanks of the committee for the advice and help that he had given. They did not intend that Mr. Lyall should leave without some public acknowledgment of his services, Mr. Robb said. The interest Mr. Lyall had taken included not only the scholastic side, but also every phase of school life. He was just as greatly interested in the school sports as in the scholastic side. Mr. Robb .said that he felt the regret at Mr. 'Lyall’s retirement would not be confined to Fitzroy. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Lyall long lives, good health and much happiness in their retirement. Mr. O. W. H., Nixon, a junior member of the committee, said all ■ knew the great and valuable work done by Mr. Lyall as headmaster. He personally would miss him, not only as a member of the committee, but also as a parent. As a neighbour of the school he had frequently observed Mr. Lyall with the pupils during play hours, and he was like a kindly father with a huge family, interested in everything that the youngsters were doing and helping them with advice and instruction to bring out the best that was in them.

Mr. Lyall expressed his appreciation of the remarks of the chairman and Mr. Nixon. He said that it was going to be a hard wrench for him to drop out of active association with the school. He had always taken a great interest in children, who were almost a hobby, which coincided with his profession. To be successful as a teacher he considered that beside the average scholastic ability there must be a little of the parental instinct, something akin to the missionary spirit that led one on to do his best to leave the world a little better than he found it. He considered education as character building, something more than merely teaching children to pass examinations, and in dealing with the children under his charge he regarded the responsibility from the family viewpoint and considered how his actions and example would affect them. Mr. Lyall paid a glowing tribute to the school staff, stating that he had never been associated with a more loyal, efficient and hard working body.