VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4866, 17 August 1925, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

SCHOOLMISTRESS MINNIE SHAW. DOMINION RECORD ESTBLISHED. It is always refreshing to be able to acknowledge and record long periods of public service well and truly performed, and especially when such service has been performed in our own town and represents the lifework of a person in assisting to educate our children and instil into their minds the moral aspect of life as well. Such an occasion arose on Friday afternoon, when some four hundred pupils of the Paeroa District High School, under the care of their teachers, were formed up in the playground to formally farewell Miss Minnie Shaw, who from that day retired from the teaching profession. In a few well-chosen remarks the headmaster, Mr G. H. Taylor, said that he knew the occasion wap not a happy one for cither the teachers or the pupils to have to say good-bye to their old friend and teacher. He was proud to state as his belief that Miss Shaw had established a record for the Dominion, and had taught longer in one school (Paeroa) than anyone else he had oxer heard of. Miss Shaw had a wonderful record of service, and she wais loved ami respected by all with whom she had come in contact. As headmaster, Mr Taylor said that he Was genuinely sprry to lose Miss Shaw, and her association with the school and her sterling go 3d work and honesty of purpose had established a standard that would be hard to live up to, and one that young teachers might well emulate, Mr Taylor concluded by congratulating Miss Shaw on attaining the retiring stage, and expressed the hope that she would be spared to enjoy the rest she had so well earned; ■

Jack Conolly, senior prefect of the high school, then presented Miss Shaw with an adjustable lounge chair on behalf of the pupils of the school. .In making the presentation he said that it was with genuine regret that they had assembled that afternoon, and words could not convey the feelings of sorrow which were felt at their losing a teacher who was loved and respected so thoroughly by the pupils. The children were unanimous in the opinion that such an occasion could not be allowed to pass without some tangible recognition of the school’s affection for Miss Shaw, and it was earnestly hoped that she would be able to spend many hours of leisure in the-chair and think back over the devoted service she had rendered. ■

Mr C. H. Pascoe, chairman of the district High School, followed, and ably supported the eulogistic remarks of the previous speakers. Mr Pascoe said that well might'the school feel proud of the record of their departing teacher. Miss Shaw had taught at Paeroa for the long period of 33 years, during which time some -I'soo pupils had passed through her hands. The committee always regarded Miss Shaw IMS a highly efficient and thoroughly capable teacher, and those sentiments had been amply borne out by the headmasters and the inspectors. On behalf of the committee Mr Pascoe congratulated Miss Shaw on her retirement, aiid wished her good health and happiness and many years of peace and comfort. , A telegram was read from Mr F. Murphy, af ormer headmaster of the school, congratulating Miss Shaw. In rising to respond Misis Shaw was greeted with an outburst of applause from the gathering. In th.anking the speakers for their kind remarks and the children for their handsome presentation Miss Shaw said that she only tried to do her duty, and the knowledge that her services had been recognised filled her with pride and comfort. It had been easy to do. her duty well because she. had been associated with a helpful teaching staff, and tshe was sure, .that the Paeroa children were the dearest and best in the world. She had not infrequently noticed that children coming from other parts of New Zealand quickly became imbued with the same enthusiasm and courteousness ’as was always to be found in the school. Speaking reminiscently, Miss Shaw said that she did not remember any really bad children at the school, ,and had always been very proud of them and had watched with interest their various careers in all parte of the world. She was very - proud of the part played by the Paeroa school in the Great War, and counselled the children never to forget to pay respect to the school’s Roll of Honour, and try and live up to high ideals for the sake of the old pupils who had so willingly laid down their lives in the cause of righteousness and justice. The children were asked to pay attention to and honour their teachers, and to take a pride in their school. In conclusion Mists Shaw said that she was not leaving Paeroa definitely, and would indeed look forward with great pleasure to spending many happy hours in the comfortable chair given her that day. “Au Revoir and God bless you all” was her final remark.

At the call Of Mr Pascoe Miss Shaw was heartily cheered, and a holiday was declared for the rest of the day. During the morning adjournment Mr Taylor, on behalf of the teaching staff, presented Miss Shaw with a complete set of dressing-table requisites as a slight token of the esteem in which >she is held by the teachers.