WELLINGTON TRAINING COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 7

WELLINGTON TRAINING COLLEGE

BREAKING-UP DAY The Wellington Teachers' Training College, at Kelburn, concluded the year's work yesterday, when the break-ing-up ceremony took place. Those attending included Sir John Luke, M.P., Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., Dr. Ada Paterson, Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., chairman of the Education Board; Mr. G. T. London, member of the board; Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education; Mr. T. B. Strong. AssistantDirector; and Mr. W. W. Bird, Inspec-tor-General of Schools. Mr. Forsyth, on behalf of the Education Board, complimented the staff and the students on the progress made during the year, on the good work that had been done, and on the fact that they had in every Way lived up to the college motto of "Excelsior.” Mr. W. 11. Gould, principal of the college, mentioned that the number ot students had fallen to 282 the Department having deemed it wise, because of the congestion in 1924, to transfer a number to other places. This year they had lost all the Nelson students, and next year they would lose those from Taranaki; and Hawke's Bay, confining the college to Wanganui and Wellington. There was no deterioration in the calibre of the students; if anything there was an improvement in that respect, due to the greater opportunities for study that now existed under the secondary education system. He thanked the staff, particularly the vice-prin-cipal, Mr. E. Lomas, for the support they had given him. Mr. Gould said it was unfortunate that the number of vacancies would not be sufficient to absorb at once all those going out, 578, from the training institutions. The remedy appeared to be, not so much in reducing the number of teachers, as in the releasing of the teachers at .successive periods of the rear. Complimentary mention was also made of the good work done by the Students’ Association in promoting a fine social spirit, Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education, mentioned the long and honourable career the Training College had had. He impressed on the - stair and students that if they, could not see nil their wishes realised at once, they must not become impatient, but cultivate a spirit of optimism as to the future. Referring to tlie reduction in the number of students; the Director explained that the Department discovered that the two southern colleges were training a larger number of teachers than the school population warranted, and those trainees ■were being received into the profession. T his meant that young people in the South Island had about double the opportunity of getting into the teaching ranks that they had in the North Island.

When the position was pointed out to the southern boards, however, no demur was made to a reduction. In order to meet the difficulty, regarding the shortaid of accommodation in the north, some students were transferred from the North to the South Island. Referring to the want of vacancies for the passed students, Mr. Caughley explained the difficulty <>f placing 500 or (XU) qualified teachers at once, and said the students must have a little patience in the meantime. The Department was anxious to meet the position, and only that morning had been considering some means whereby it was hoped teachers could be taken on early in the. year. Later on there was not so much difficulty, and in fact vacancies could then be found for all, but it was the first six months that caused the trouble. He thought they had now found some way bv which the position could be alleviated. Mi'x- Caughley said: “Wo will do everything we possibly can to get all the teachers’ places as soon as possible. (Applause.) He wished the students every success on leaving the college, nnd felt sure they would uphold the honour of the teaching profession. Sir John Luke said it was very gratifying to know that the high standard of the Training College was being so well maintained, and he congratulated the staff and the students on the fact that in the educational world the college was turning out teachers of the highest standard. A body of students, under the conductorship of Mr. Robert Parker, rendered a number of songs during tlie proceedings. .