OFF FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 5

OFF FOR THE HOLIDAYS

TEACHERS AT THE TRAINING COLLEGE. 'At the ceremony connected with the annual "breaking-up" of the Teachers' Training College yesterday morning, the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., chairman of the Education Board, presided, and seated with him on the platform were Mr. J. S. Tennant (Principal of the college), Mr. G. Hogben (InspectorGeneral of Schools), and several headinaslere and members of the Education Board. Apologies for absence were received from the Hon. A. L. Herdman, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), and others. In the course of a brier address to the gathering, Mr. Aitken said he took it that the smiling faces which he had observed on arrival denoted a feeling of satisfaction on the part of the-pupils with the year's work, and a sense of having done something to fit them for their life's work. Ho pointed out that it depended on the teaching profession as to what the rising generation was going to bo in the future. It was true that home life and environment counted for much, but he could not emphasise too strongly how much depended on the teachers. He congratulated those present on having chosen the profession, than which none was higher, and he hoped the coming holidays would be for them a very pleasant time. Mr. J. S. Tennant eiplain<td that only about two-thirds of the 'students were \ assembled "in the building that morning, as ton of the men students had already gone to the front, and twenty-four were serving with the reinforcements. In a brief, reference to the Education Bill, he impressed upon- the departing students the fact that the improved conditions they were all striving for would come when the teacherß proved that they were worthy of them. The. public' would judge them according to their work, and it therefore behoved every member of the profession to see that that work was worthy of all the good things said about it.

Mr. G. Hogben ienyvrked that when the students present went out into the world to teach they would meet with a great many experts on education. That should not alarm them. It was really a healthy sign because it was only right that such an important subject should receive attention from the great'bulk of the citizens. It should be'the aim of every one of them to become a real expert..- Ail should realise the necessity of continual study of the subject of education with the highest ideals always before them. Brief speeches were also made by Messrs. G. M'Morran, T. Moss, and CM. Luke.

'The students rendered several vocal items .under the direction of Mr. Robert Parker. ~