WELLINGTOR FREE KINDER-GARTENS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 199, 18 May 1920, Page 8

WELLINGTOR FREE KINDERGARTENS

j ■■■>.. ■ ANNUAL MEETING. .' J •j,Tho annunlr meeting of the Wellington | Free Kindergarten Association, was held in the Tarnnaki Street Kindergarten last evening.- The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke)' was in the choir. " In tho report of tho president (Mrs. Gill) the leading facts set forth'in'regard to Wellington free kindergartens are'that'at each school'(except Thbrndon) there ts a" waiting-list of cliil&rcn who cannot bo .taken in owing to ; tho fact that from 12 to 15 infants is considered Hie maximum number for a kindergartener to give, individual attention tu. The council will not consent'to'tho overloading of the teaching power which destroys all hope of true success in teaching.' The need for more students is earnestly emphasised as the work'is necessary ;-ahdbonofioifil in the highest degree. Two certificates will bo given in future. _ One, as. at present, after two years' training, andya second, a "Nursery Certificate" enabling the holder after one year's training'to teach children up to five years in kindergarten subjects only. The- Educat'on Department has increased the' capitation to ,£3 2s. 6d. per head, but -there is still every need for assistance from th? pub'.ic in the work and paying ' teachers a living, wage. Thanks, were expressed to Chilton House School for sales of work which- raised '£85 for improving playgrounds; to Mr. Burnett for superintendence of this work; to Mrs. Jnmes Hannah and Miss Cnmpbri'l for an entertainment, the procoeds of which added .£370 to the-funds; to ■tho artists of Wellington, nnd Mrs. ,17 Mncdonald for substantial help; to tho 'Finance Committee, the. Kellow Automatic Bakeries, mothers of children for help and gifts, and to the principal, directors, -and students/all-ofnvliom have hided the work of the association. ■•■- \, In the report of Miss Riley (principal)' the scnnol rolls are .stated as follow:— Taranasi Street, 43;- Wellington'" South, 51; Berhnmporo, 40; Brooklyn) 38; Tliorndon,': -,2i. .-Th.a '• average-. attendance shows a yonderful record of steady '•'going' to school" in all weathers and circumstances. Miss • Riley' states that it-is impossible to. thank individually all those who xiro and -, who help_, the schools, but alio emphasises the sincere ■ gratitude felt-for all help. It is gratifying to all concerned that the teachers trained in Wellington are'in great demand for positions. ' Looal committee's reports from-Wellington South (J. Brown, chairman,-, and C. W. Bolland, ■lion', secretary), Berhnmpore'CE. Hunter, lion, secretary),-' are of a most satisfactory nature. In thedonationsi.for 1918 is ."mentioned one. from' the "Diggers' Troup" of .£SO 12a., and this effort for the very little-ones on their part ia mentioned with special appreciation. The balance-sheet showed thnt the.revenue during: the year rotalled\ JJ2058 75,, including .£339 13s. 10a. • in , donations, .£"2 l 18s. 2d. from "Our Day" appeal, .£G6O 3s. 2d. Government subsidy, .£IOO from-the'WeClington Citv. Council. J!80 from tho T. G; M'Carthy Trustees, 405 Ss. lid. from concerts, J2153 16s. 6d. rents received, nnd .£535 Bs. sd. contributions to the Building Fund. After payment of .expenses-a balance of .£1205 7s. Bd. was. left in hand, and of this .£SOO, was transferred to tho Building Fund. .The •expenditure included JJ7I9 for salaries and £W G*. 7d. for repairs and alterations to buildings. ~ In moving the adoption of the report' and balance-sheet tho Mayor expressed, gieat appreciation on behalf of Wellington citizens of the.work which was cairied out at the. Wellington free kindergartens. Ho considered that tho csso\ciation was very fortunnte in having Mrs. Grill ot its head. To-day strong criticism was being levelled at pur educational methods, and " even-where throughout 'the Dominion there was a strong movement on the'part of the people to have improved methods brought about. It was but right ; that they should have a system that from tho, kindergarten to the university would ihelp to cultivate the best that was in the boy and girl, lie believed that' the Government of this country and the Parliament were prepared to materially nssist the cause of education. '. Mr.'.'Luke stated that it the opportunity; were given him he' worfjl consider it a distinct' obligation: on his part to.rassist in furthering all.measures that A wbuld facilitate/the cause of education;'<' The report . and balance-Bheet were iadopted. ■: -.:• '■;' y \ ' ' Tlie imeinbersf of tho council for the itnsuing year'. ai'e as follow:—President, Mrs..Gill; vice-presidents, Mrs, Henry Smith, Miss England, Mrs. J. Anderseu: Mrs. G. Dixon.< Mrs. S. ■ Eichelbaum, Ladv Gcbbs, Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. GciuY Mrs. Hnnnnh. Miss Hall. Miss Helver, Miss Mvors, Mrs. Newton, Dr. Adn Peterson, Miss'Stowe. >Mrs. Burnett,-Miss Burnett, Miss Seaton, Mrs. Gray, ani delegates from local '.'committees. " 'Mr. W. Ferguson made a brief speech, thanking-.Mr. Lulu for presiding at the meeting and for the interest he had shown in kindergarten matters. ■.I ■ ■■ "' i -i