1914
23 February 1914
Home Rule.
(From Our Own Correspondent).
An enthusiastic meeting of the residents of Home Rule was held in the schoolroom on Thursday last, for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a Parents and Citizens' Association in connection with the school. Mr. Spence was voted to the chair, and after briefly outlining the objects of the meeting, he called upon Mr. W. J. Campbell to explain in detail.
These bodies, Mr. Campbell pointed out, were fairly numerous in New South Wales, and were doing good work in forming connecting links between the school and the home; in fact, so important a factor had they become in the life of the educational system of today that last Easter a Parents and Citizens' conference had been held in Sydney, and a very comprehensive agenda paper discussed. After this conference, the various associations had been able to put before the department the parents' point of view. Through these bodies, too, the parents got into touch with the teacher - got to understand his methods and his ideals, and were thereby able to extend to him the sympathy and encouragement his work merited. This was the sentimental side; but there was a business side no less important. A man's family was his most cherished possession, and through the Parents and Citizens' Association the people were able to help the school in many ways that did not come under the department's jurisdiction, and thus bring a personal benefit to their own children. The school library, playground, and schoolroom aids, and school picnics, etc., etc., might be mentioned as cases in point, and it was wonderful what could be done in this direction by the united efforts of the people. One important phase of the Association's work, if formed, would be the opening of a literary club - a kind of mutual improvement society for the voting people during the winter evenings. In this way the teacher was able to exercise a personal influence after pupils had left school.
Mr. Pascoe also spoke, warmly supporting the movement.
A resolution was carried, forming the Association.
The following officers were elected:- Patron, Mr. Pascoe; president, Mr. Spence: vice-presidents, Messrs, Long and Underwood; hon. secretary, Miss King; hon. treasurer, Mrs. Geo. Williams.
The annual subscription was fixed at 1s. for adults, and 6d. for young people under 20.
Mr. Pascoe kindly donated several books to the school library, and the meeting closed1
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