TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3570, 3 October 1916, Page 4

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

A. large number of members,of the Mid-Cantorbury Teachers' Institute mot at the Borough, School, on Saturday Mr G. Schneider presided. Letters were read from several teachers asking to be enrolled as members; from the North Canterbury iiistituto agreeing to-the Rakaia River as a boundary, and congratulating toe members "on the formation 'of a new branch; from' the New Zealand Educational Institute, containing information about the formation of «V now branch, and enclosing copies of the constitution; from 'Mr J." Caughley, regret tine; that he was unable to get away to discuss with the Ashburton teachers the- now grading scheme. The secretary reported that Mr G. Schneider's being the only nomination for the position of delegate to the Teachers' Conference in January, 1917, lie was elected. —Mr Schneider thanked the members for electing him as their delegate. Misses Andrews, and Rapley, and Messrs' A. L. Moore. Schneider, and: H. N. Watson were elected a sub-corn- 1 mitt.cc to arrange a social evening on Thursday, November. 18. Mr'Selmeidur's motion —"That Miss A. Menzios. oV East-Christchurch Infant School. 1)0 asked to give an address on ' Infant School Work ' "—

was agreed to. The chairman, in introducing Mr T. S. Foster, Director nf tho Teachers' Training College., Christchurch, said that Mr Foster was too well known to need any recommendation. Having been head of one of the largest schools in the Dominion, Chief Inspector of Canterbury schools, lecturer at the University, and , vow being teachers' representative on the Council of Education, Mr Foster must rank as tho leading educational authority in the South Island.

Mr Foster, in thanking the committoo for inviting liim .to Ashburton. said he welcomed the opportunity of xnceting ninny old- friends among the teachers of this County.' Ho wished the Mid-Canterbury Teachers' Institute every .success. Mr Foster urged teachers to use, their influence, in moulding public opinion on educational matters. He pom tod out that most of the reforms of our present system had been proposed first in teachers' institutes. Ho/advised the teachers presont to keep n wide outlook and to avoid being narrowed by local influence, which might divert ihe, teacher from his true aim—namely, that of teaching fcho young generation how to live. Mr Foster then road a most interesting and instructive paper pn " Tho School and National Life." " . •

At the conclusion of x.ho address Mr Josonh AValson thanked the speaker for ]iis fxfollont paper. . Mr A. L. Moore ssiid the lof-turp would provide mucli food for thought. The lnoo.ting nassod :i. very hearty vot-e of thanks to Mr Foster.