FORTY YEARS A TEACHER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18817, 4 March 1931, Page 8

FORTY YEARS A TEACHER.

MR R. A. MALCOLM RETIRES. TRIBUTE FROM COMMITTEE. After over forty years connection with the teaching profession, the last four of which have been at the Waimataitai School as headmaster, Mr R. A. Malcolm tendered his resignation to the School Committee last evening. In the course of a letter containing his resignation, Mr Malcolm said that his association with the pupils, parents, staff and committee of the school had always been most pleasant, and he could assuredly say that he had spent nearly four of the happiest years of his career among them. It was, therefore, with regret that the time had come to sever his connection with the school. During his term he had done his best to uphold the good name and high standard of the school generally, and he would always retain pleasant memories of his stay here, and would always have the interests of the school keenly at heart. In conclusion, he thanked each member of the Committee for the kindness, courtesv and ever willing help which he had re- 1 ceived from them on every occasion. The chairman of the Committee, Mr j G. Benstead, expressed profound re- , gret that the time had come when their headmaster was resigning. “I | have been a member of the Committee during the past 12 or 13 years,” said Mr Benstead, “and during that time we have had several headmasters, and the last but not least has been Mr Malcolm. During the whole of the period he has been with us, the Waimataitai School has held a very high position among the schools of this Dominion, especially so with regard to the schools in the Canterbury Education Board district. He has done everything possible to maintain the reputation and success of the school and the wellbeing of the children. We have had various headmasters who have been good in one direction or another, but I think I am voicing the opinion of every member of the Committee, and those who have had the pleasure of being on the Committee during the time Mr Malcolm has been headmaster, when I say that he has more than filled the bill, both in maintaining the excellent reputation of the institution for its scholastic efficiency, and the co-operation and interest which he has gained from the children and parents.” Mr Benstead said that Mr Malcolm had been successful both on the physical as well as the educational side of a child’s school life; and last, but by no means least in the exhibition of his undoubted talents as an organiser. He referred, also, to Mr Malcolm’s musical and elocutionary qualifications, of which he was a past master. “It is my very great regret Mr Malcolm,” said Mr Benstead, “that it has been my painful duty to read your resignation, and on behalf of the Committee, I desire to thank you sincerely for the excellent work you have done on behalf of the children of the school. We appreciate everything you have done, and we sincerely trust that when you take your well-earned rest, that both yourself and Mrs Malcolm will enjoy it as you so much deserve to do.” The other members of the Committee endorsed the remarks of the chairman, some of them with children at the school expressing regret that they would not have the benefit of the good guidance for which Mr Malcolm had distinguished himself. The chairman moved: “That the resignation of the headmaster be accepted with deep regret, and this Committee place on record their appreciation of the very valuable work Mr Malcolm has done at the taitai School and wish Mr and Mrs Malcolm every happiness in the future.” The motion was carried by acclamation. ~ _ . . Replving, Mr Malcolm said he had been 42 years in the service since he became a pupil under his father in the Marshlands School. He was retiring on superannuation, on March 31st, but he had offered his services to the Department as a temporary teacher at the school for a couple of months. The four years he had spent at Waimataitai had been four happy years. There had been no friction with anyone, except that of chasing some five-year-olds who would not come to school. (Laughter.) The Committee had given him solid support, and without this he could not have done the work he had during his term of office. “I feel very much my severance with all of you,” said Mr Malcolm. “What Ido in the future is very much in the hands of the gods. .... It will be in the hands of the gods whether we come back to Timaru or remain in Christchurch when we return from our trip abroad.” Mr Malcolm acknowledged the compliment paid him for his musical and elocutionary efforts, both in connection with school work and when assisting at public functions. He had performed for schools between the Rangitata and the Waitaki, and he had been pleased to help wherever he could. He would always take an interest in the school, and he would ever be ready to do his best lor It should occasion arise. (Applause).