HEADMASTER RETIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21137, 12 June 1940, Page 10

HEADMASTER RETIRES

LONG SERVICE ENDS FOREST LAKE SCHOOL FAREWELL FUNCTION HELD After 40 years’ service with the Education Department Mr E. T. Robinson, headmaster of the Fores 1 : Lake School, retired yesterday. Mr Robinson was born and educated in Auckland, and joined the Department in 1900. He was a pupil teacher at Waikino, Golden Cross, and Chapel Street, Auckland, and then served at the half-time schools at Okaihau and Utakura. Bay of Islands. Mr Robinson then spent two years at the Auckland Training College, and was afterwards posted to the Owhiwa and Taranui halftime schools near Whangarei. His first sole charge was the Paerata Ridge School, Opotiki. In 1910 Mr Robinson came to the Waikato as headmaster of the Matangi School. After a short period at Mamaku, Mr Robinson was appointed headmaster of the Forest Lake School 11£ years ago, a position he held until yesterday. Numerous Interests Mr Robinson had numerous interests. He was practised in ambulance work, and was keenly interested in singing. He instructed the children in choruses, and is himself a member of St. Andrew’s Church choir. He has been a popular figure on the Claudelands bowling green, and is a vice-president and treasurer of the club. All his school teaching life has been spent in the Auckland Education Board’s district. He did much to promote the interests of the teaching profession, and, as president of the Waikato branch of the Teachers’ Institute and Headmasters’ Association, represented these organisations at conferences in Wellington. Mr Robinson has always shown himself to be a lover of native bush, and the beautiful surroundings and plantations at the Matangi and Forest Lake Schools bear testimony to this interest. Presentations Made Mr Robinson has been the guest of honour at several farewell functions this week. The Headmasters’ Association made him a presentation, and yesterday the teaching staff and pupils presented him with an easy chair and a book. Mrs Robinson was the recipient of a bouquet of violets. The senior infant mistress, Mrs Hill, said the relations between Mr Robinson and the staff had been of the happiest character, and all were very sorry he was leaving. At a social arranged by the parents last evening Mr Robinson was presented by Mr Montgomery, chairman of the School Committee, with a bag of golf clubs. Mr Montgomery spoke very highly of Mr Robinson and the work he had done for the children. Mr S. B. Sims, a member of the Auckland Education Board, endorsed Mr Montgomery’s remarks, and Mr Robinson suitably replied. Mr A. M. Roe, who has been headmaster at the Panmure School, will relieve Mr Robinson of his duties.