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KINDERGARTEN UNIONS

This dainty wreath may be worked in whit# or odours. The flowers, leaves, and ribbon are worked solid, with the dots os eyelets, tie stems in the outline stitch. TJeo mercerised cotton or filo floss for the embroidery. ''

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. Yesterday morning the delegates to the Kindergarten Conference met at Mrs Grady's, and proceeded to discuss the various proposals laid before them. The delegates were: Mrs Taylor and Mis Langford (Christchurch), Mrs Gill and Miss Richmond (Wellington), Mr Mi In and Miss Gibson (Auckland), Mia, Kelsey (Dunedin), and Miss England (secretary). Several of the Wellington council attended the meeting, and were greatly interested in the matters brought forward for discussion. Miss M. E. Richmond (Wellington) was voted to the chair. Mr Miln proposed: “ That it is most desirable that steps bo taken immediately to federate (within certain limits) the four kindergarten associations of the Dominion.” This was affirmed without discussion. The second part of the resolution ran: “ That whilst affirming the value of a uniform kindergarten syllabus for the training of future kindergarteners, it is desirable that the free kindergarten associations should preserve their autonomy in the following points; (a) Local finance, and (b) appointment and method of training local teachers.” The matter of local finance was agreed to, but some discussion took place upon the second point, it being thought by some that the training in all centres shonld be identical- Finally, the motion was passed, as the subject of training was to be dealt with on another occasion. The question of a uniform syllabus was then discussed, and was referred to a committee consisting of Miss Richmond, Mrs Taylor, Miss Gibson, Miss Kelsey, Miss Riley (headmistress of Wellington free kindergartens), and

Miss Fitch, kindergarten mistress of the Training College, Wellington. Mr Miln proposed, and Mrs Gill seconded: “That a federal body b© appointed to examine and grant diplomas.'’ Miss Richmond said it was very necessary to have a recognised standard for kindergarten teachers; at present their students were given diplomas on passing the examinations set by the kindergarten head mistress, but these were not recognised by other bodies. She proposed under the federation to have a federation secretary (if possible a trained kindergartener), who would travel to each of the four and would form a sort of bureau of information for kindergartens. This matter was postponed until the discussion of federation finance later in the day, and the original motion was passed. Miss Richmond then proposed; “That a trained head mistress or supervisor for each centre was necessary.’ 5 Miss Kelsey asked if the conference considered it necessary the headmistress should have a recognised diploma from one of the Proebel Institutes, as this would exclude one of their locally-trained teachers from taking the position. Mr Miln thought

that local training would he sufficient, especially as the federal body would, they hoped, soon be granting diplomas equal to those of any English or foreign-trained students. The motion was then carried. Mr Miln proposed: “That it is desirable .to obtain Government recognition of diplomas, this to be retrospective as regards diplomas already granted to students in the four centres.” Hiss Richmond said such diplomas were so recognised by the Government in New South Wales, and several students had obtained positions in Government schools. The London County Council also recognised the kindergarten certificates, and the late, headmistress of Wellington, Miss Freeman, had taught for some years in the L.C.O. schools. , Mr Miln thought such recognition highly necessary to enable the students to take positions "equal to their training." The resolution ■ was unanimously carried. Miss Richmond then proposed: “That all Kindergarten Schools throughout the Dominion be invited to join the federation, provided they are prepared to train their students upon the lines laid down; to submit to inspection, and. to pay such affiliation fee as shall be agreed upon by the Federation Council. All students of such schools to be eligible for the federation’s diploma provided they satisfy the federation examiners.” This would raise the status of genuine kindergarteners, the proposer said, and give them a certain amount of Government recognition. The federation would recommend all affiliated kindergartens, and might occasionally publish lists of scholars in the various districts for the guidance of parents. This raised some controversy, as some members thought diplomas should only be granted to students trained by the federation mistresses. Finally Mr Miln proposed to insert the words after “Dominion,” “in charge of a trained kindergartener.’ 1 Mrs Taylor seconded the amendment, which was carried. Miss Kelsey’s motion, referred from the Dunedin conference, was discussed, but was finally withdrawn. After lunch, the committee appointed to draw up a syllabus for kindergarten study met, and a scheme was proposed which is to be_ drafted and sent to the four associations for approval. At half-past 3 Mrs Grady again provided afternoon tea, and afterwards the conference resumed. Federation finance was discussed. Mr Miln proposed “That it be the recommendation of this conference that each association he prepared to pay £SO for one year at least, for tho purpose of guaranteeing the salary of a Dominion secretary and for central work.” Tho mover thought it quite essential to have a Dominion secretary, a trained kindergartener, who should travel between tho four centres, if necessary examine, and keep in touch with all kindergarten work in the Dominion, and for such a position a woman of exceptional ability was necessary. He guaranteed to raise such a sum in Auckland, provided his council was not prepared to pay it. Later, he said, the examination fees would help to raise the sum. Miss Kelsey proposed that a special fund should be raised for this purpose, but the original motion was finally adopted. „ , , _ Tho constitution of a Federal Council was then considered, and it was decided that “The Inspector-General of Schools (if he will consent), and two representatives from each council, shall form a Federal Council to meet annually in Wellington. The constitution of the federal ex-.

amining body was the next matter on the agenda paper, and it was decided that the head-mistresses of the four centres, with the federal secretary, examine in practical work, each mistress to travel in turn to the four centres in Now Zealand with the secretary. The heads of the training colleges in rotation will be asked to examine in child psychology and history of education, nature study, and Froebel’s principles to be taken by head kindergarteners of training colleges in the Dominion, and child hygiene by headmasters of the four Normal Schools. The last motion proposed was that “The Department of Education be asked to grant subsidies on 80 per cent, of the total number of the roll in the schools instead of on the average attendance as formerly. Miss Kelsey’s proposal that the motion should first be laid before the four councils was negatived, and the motion was approved. After the close of the conference Mr Miln proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Grady for so kindly placing a room at their disposal, and to Miss Richmond for presiding. On Miss Gibson’s motion a vote of thanks was accorded to the Pioneer Club and to all those who had entertained tho visitors during their stay in Wellington.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19130219.2.31.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,203

KINDERGARTEN UNIONS New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 5

KINDERGARTEN UNIONS New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 5

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