RETIRING TEACHER

Evening Star, Issue 20135, 27 March 1929, Page 6

RETIRING TEACHER

APPRECIATION OF SERVICES MUSSELBURGH SCHOOL FAREWELL The St. Kilda Coronation Hall V'as well filled last evening, when pupils and ox-pupils of the Musselburgh School, teachers and ex-teachers, representatives, parents, and friends gathered to honour Air J. B. Grant (who recently resigned the head mastership ot the Alusselbnrgh School) and his wife. Tho Chairman (Afr D. C. Cameron, chairman of the School Committee) said that the function was originally supposed to he just a district affair, but it had grown to bo of provincial interest, and had to be organised. Mr Grant had boon in active service for (ifty-one years, and it had been decided to have representatives from districts where he had been—Alabono, Ontra.ni, and Ravonsbonrnc. Ho welcomed the large number of guests on the platform, and then read through a, lengthy list of apologies and complimentary remarks received by post, telegram, and even cablegram from London. He announced that the items on the concert programme would be contributed by ox-pupils and teachers ol the school. The school committee had considered itself very fortunate in getting Air Grant, when he was applied lor, and lie had proved to bo a man ol sterling character, one who had made a strong impression on his teaching staff, ai.ul one who was loved by all. It had been a great pleasure to committeemen to work willi Air Grant during the eight and a-half years lie was head master at Musselburgh, and they much regretted the time of his resignation, but joined heartily with everyone else in wishing Air and Airs Grant every happiness and prosperity in the time to come. Mr J. W 'allace (chairman of the Otago Education Board) said that ho had watched Air Grant's career lor nearly forty years. He had been a hard worker in Maheno and Ravenshoiiniu, and it was known what ho had done at .Musselburgh. Mr Grant was an example each one tried to live nji to. Ho read the following letter which had been sent to Air Grant from the hoard ; “ I am directed by the board to thank you most sincerely for the letter written on flic eve of your retirement, and to express to you its appreciation of the views and sentiments contained therein. Thu board regrets that the time has come for yon to retire from the service of which yon have been so worthy a member for upwards of fifty >ears. For forty years almost yon have been a head master, and every district yon have resided in lias been tho richer for your sojourn there. The chairman of the board expressed the board s feelings when he said that yon had been a beacon light for the teachers of Otago. Your line record of service at Alaheno and Raveiisbniirne is still fresh in tho minds ot members, while during your final eight years at Musselburgh you have proved your ability to manage one ol the board s largest schools so successfully a< to win the special commendation of tho senior inspector. “ Thu board lias observed with keen satisfaction how you have raised the status of the school, won the willing assistance of the householders in your efforts to bring the equipment up to date, ami rallied round yon a loyal and enthusiastic school committee. Your career has throughout been marked with success in all respects, and it is one which yon may well look barton with pride and satisfaction. At all times-your work has boon marked with earnestness and zeal, and you have been an inspiration to your assistants, while the influence ot your sterling character upon the young people passing through your hands cannot be overestimated. A our devotion lo duty has not slackened towards the end, and the board knows you art 1 handing over the school to your successor at the high standard of efficiency you have always set. " 1 have to convey to you the good wishes ot every member ot the board, and their united hope Dial, .von may have a. lung and pleasant leisure lime, f desire to add my tribute of respect and appreciation, and the hope that you will be as happy in your retirement as you have been in the strenuous life you have lived in the hoard’s service.” Air Sprout (Head AJaslers’ Association) said that that association held Mr Grant in the highest respect. It realised that it was his high Christian aim that had made him what he was. and had given him the influence he had held on his scholars, who would benefit to tho utmost through his teaching. He congratulated Air Grant on his meritorious term of service, and said that he had been ot great assistance in the Head A.lasiers’ Association, to which he had been elected a Hie member. Mr AY. Jacobsen, speaking on behalf of St. Kilda residents and ex-com-mitteemen, said IhaL alien Air Grant had been appointed some years ago he was not well known. However, it_was mu, long before be had become a friend of the young teachers, who had gone to him for advice in teaching. flu; school had never looked back since Air Grant bad taken charge, and it was hoped that Air Abel (his successor) would bo as successful. The school was tho finest equipped in Otago, thanks to Air Grant’s work. Mi' J. Fraser (Alayor ol West Harbour) spoke chiefly about Air Grant s leaching in Onlram, where he had opened his educational career. Air AA'. L. Craig (chairman ol Air Grant’s lirst school committee) added ids tribute. Mr J. Ironside, on bchall ol cxteaciiers. made eulogistic rolcrcncc to .Air Grunt's work at Musselburgh. He had nut gone one day without doing belter than the day be I ore. Air Grant was a keen angler, and lie presented him with a rod. Air J. R. Hawke (ox-tcadicr) said that the probation students placed in Mr Grant’s care had always spoken highly of him. and the teachers also owed a great debt for the ideals placed before them and the kindness lie had extended to Ids staff. Air A. J. AYoods (cx-iearlier) stated that the principal ol the training college had spoken highly oi the pupil teachers wiio had been under Air Grant. The teacher of Alusselbnrgh had called Air Grant “Radium,” for his nevertailing help, warmth, and kindness. Aliss Barraclough presented Mrs Grant with a bouquet on Delia 11 of the c.\tcachors. The Rev. A. AA'. AVinglield (in the absence of the Rev. Scott Allan, who arrived later) emphasised the help of Mr Grant to religious instruction. Air W. Thompson (president of St. Kilda Howling Club) relerred to Air Grant’s popularity as a bowler. Air AY. F. Abel (Air Grant’s successor) stated that it was Mr Grant’s night, not Ins, but he hoped to give satisfaction to the parents. Air R. AY. Hall, mayor, said that Afr Grant had been a father to the children, inspiring them with ideals that would be valuable in alter iite. A presentation of a brown leather handbag was made to Airs Grant by Miss Frances Ross (principal of Culumba College), in the absence of

Mrs 11. W. Hall (Mayoress of St. Kilda), on behalf of lady residents. 'l’he Chairman, in making the presentation of a well-filled wallet to Mr Grant, said that during the last three years £6OO had been raised and spent on school equipment, and that was done through the loyal support of residents and parents. Mr Grant had used the money wisely. The speaker lelt sure that it was with the highest esteem and good-will that Mr Grant was to receive that present. Mrs Grant, replying first, said that the most enjoyable time of her life had been spent at Musselburgh, where she had found that everyone showed a deep friendship towards her husband and -herself. Mr Grant said that that function moved him very deeply, hut ho had been getting bin reward for the past eight and a-balf years in the support of parents, the loyal and eager cooperation of his staff, and the love and friendship of the children. Ho had received many handsome presents, but ho would have been satisfied with the many good wishes bestowed upon him by Ins friends, _ It left him beggared of words with which f.o thank those who had given him the presents. 11 is conception of a teacher was that there was no profession more honourable or responsible. A sculptor could_ carve _ a figure and spoil it, and begin again, but a teacher dealt with living matter and could cither make or spoil the lives of children. He was proud to know that his influence on young teach ors had been beneficial. He did not wish people to believe that he was the only person to work. Ho had had a difficult task succeeding a person so well loved as Mr John White. However, he had .succeeded in winning the affection of Ids pupils and friends. Experience bad taugfit him to respect the individuality of every child, and ho, had treated the children with courtesy, as they had done him. No school in the dominion could have wished for a better committee. He would never forget Musselburgh School. He thanked those who bad contributed the concert programme. 'flic function closed with a verse of ‘Anld Lang Syne,’ followed by flic National Anthem.