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Picturesque Dunedin: or Dunedin and its neighbourhood in 1890

The Kindergarten Association

The Kindergarten Association.

This is the youngest of the Philanthropic Institutions of Dunedin, and its formation dates back only to the middle of the present year (1889.) There was room for it, as the children for whose welfare it operates were not embraced in the aims of the organisations already in existence. No doubt, the Kindergarten system of education, so successful in many other places, would sooner or later have been in operation here, but as a matter of fact its introduction into Dunedin is due to the accidental circumstance of Mr. Mark Cohen having, in the course of last year, received a communication on the subject from Mrs. Sarah Cooper, the foundress of the system in San Francisco. Mr. Cohen readily enlisted the sympathy of the Bev. Rutherford Waddell, and through that gentleman the warm interest of Mrs. W. H. Beynolds was secured. That lady, with her characteristic energy, perused the literature on the subject; and having satisfied herself as to the merits of the system, she accepted the responsibility of initiating the movement in Dunedin. She was joined in the effort by a number of ladies, several of whom had had large experience in teaching the young; and Sir B. Stout, Mr. James Allen, M.H.R., Dr. Vm. Brown, the Rev. A. C. Yorke, the Rev. James Gribb, and other gentlemen, gave earnest support. Advantage was then taken of the presence in the city of Sir W. Fox, who, by request, gave an address on the working of the Auckland Association; and in February of this year a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, at which, with other gentlemen, Bishop Suter, now the Anglican Primate, spoke favourably of the system as he had seen it in operation in America. Curiously enough, the Bishop, previous to his visit to the States, was strongly opposed to the system, but what he saw in the course of his travels converted him to it. Subsequently, Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald, Rector page 241of the Normal School, also delivered a lecture on the subject to the Dunedin branch of the Schoolmasters' Association. The result was the establishment of the Dunedin Kindergarten Society on thoroughly unsectarian principles. After casting about for a suitable field in which to begin operations, the promoters decided upon the neighbourhood of Walker street; and the Rev. Mr. Waddell and Rev. Mr. Yorke having offered the free use of their school-rooms, Walker street Mission House (Mr Waddell's) was accepted. On the 10th of June the Kindergarten School was opened with 14 children, and now, after six months' quiet and steady working, about 60 are on the roll. The object is first to gather in children of six years and under, the offspring of poor parents, and whose mothers, in many instances, are out at work during the day to earn the necessaries of life for their families; and, secondly, to instruct the little ones in all interesting ways adapted to their tender age. The method adopted may be characterised as systematic play, and it comprises object lessons, marching, keeping time with feet, hands, and voice, singing, training of the memory without cramming, drawing, woolwork, &c. The discipline is, of course, strict, but kindly and winning. Samples of the work done by the young people are now on view in the Industrial Department of the Exhibition, and it is marvellously good, and said to be quite equal to that accomplished in the like schools of the northern cities, The value of this training, as compared with the baneful influence of days spent without restraint or guidance on the street, and as a preparation for ordinary school work when school age is reached, cannot be over-estimated. Admission is free, and the children are supplied with pinafores while in school. Miss Wienicke, who has had a large experience of Kindergarten Schools in Germany, is head teacher, and she has three assistants. The school, however, is managed by a Committee of ladies, who have the support of an influental Finance Committee of gentlemen. Mrs. W. H. Reynolds is President of the Association; the Vice-Presidents are Mrs. Belcher, Mrs. A. S. Paterson, and Miss Bathgate; Mrs Marsden Smith is Treasurer; and the offices of Secretary and Assistant-Secretary are held by Misses Kelsey and F. Wimperis respectively. Though the work is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions, the success which page 242has attended the Walker street School, and the generous support given by friends, have determined the Committee to establish similar schools in other parts of the city as soon as practicable.