POPULAR TEACHER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 16

POPULAR TEACHER

MISS CLEMANCE EULOGISED After 14 years’ service on the | teaching staff of the Wanganui East ►School Miss Cleniance recently announced her retirement. Yesterday afternoon she was fa re welled by the pupils, stall and members of the committee when presentations were made to her by the headmaster, Mr. N. R. Wilson. The chairman of the school committee, Mr. N. Annabell, said that it was not a pleasing duty to have to say good-bye to Miss Cleniance after her long service at the school. She had served the school well and faithfully for 1.4 years and was admired and loved by all those who had served under her. If all the pupils served their country as well as Miss Clemance had served the school they would make her very pleased. She would watch afl the pupils grow up and take up positions of importance in the city and in the Dominion. Mr. Annabell said that he had heard from the children that Miss Cleniance had not been a hard teacher like those of old but, one who loved them lall. He was sure every pupil would regret her departure and he wanted her to realise that the assemblage of pupils was gathered to wish her God speed, good luck and happiness in the future. The Rev. G. S„ King, the representative of the Wanganui Education Board, passed on to Miss •Cleniance the board’s appreciation of her great service in the cause of education in the district and, in particular, the Wanganui East School. He felt sure that her feelings as she faced the asjsembled children were mided indeed. She probably realised that it was very hard to say good-bye. Miss Cleniance was a member of a great teaching family practically all of whom were engaged in the profession. The Rev. King said he had been interested in watching the young chiljdren going to school for the first time, I but without exception those that he had seen had at once found that Miss Cleniance was a mother, sister or aunt to them and wanted them to feel happy in school. The Education Board realised that it had in her one of the finest teachers and best organisers of infant work in the country. He was sure that the school would never forget her loyal and devoted service. Bhe would pass away from the school but her memory would always remain. The secretary of the Wanganui Education Board said that people did not realise the importance of the work of ian infant mistress. She moulded the •foundation for the children’s education. He had not been long in Wanganui before he found that Miss Clem'ance was the most efficient infant mistress in the board’s district. He wished her every happiness in her retirement. I The headmaster, Air. N. R. Wilson, isaid that when he came to Wanganui he had been informed that the staff of the Wanganui East School was a loyal one. A high official of the Education Department had informed him that she was one of the best infant mistresses in the Dominion. She had every quality for the position; not only did she possess a happy smile but she realised fully the value of encouragement in the classroom. Miss Cleniance had in tended to retire some weeks ago but a hen she realised the difficulties ahead of the headmaster she suggested that she should carry on to the end of the term. She had played a wonderful part in laying the foundations of the character ami education of many chil'dren and although she had retiree Ifrom teaching he believed she would [still continue to do good work for the school. She could not help it. Mr. Wilson then presented Aliss Cleniance with a crystal reading lamp an afternoon tea set and an exquisitelytinted vase of Moorcraft ware. Mrs. N. Annabell presented r bouquet of flowers to the guest ol honour and a posy to Mrs. Cleniance. In expressing her thanks for the gifts, Miss Cleniance said that it was hard to leave all the pupils but after this week she did not think it would be half so bad. She hoped to be able t° Qfipie and visit them all and hoped that the pupils would come and see her, too. She knew they would all love and help her successor as they 'had to her and realised the the big children, too, would give their assi&tlance. 1 The guest of honour and others present were entertained at afternoon lea.