Closing of the School
Mr Jack G. Patterson, President.
N.Z. Theosophical Educational Trust Board
The New Zealand Theosophical Educational Trust Board has decided to close Vasanta Garden School at the end of the first term 1959, following the resignation of the Principal because of ill-health. We regret that at the time of writing she is very seriously ill. The increasing difficulty in obtaining suitable teachers especially one with Theosophical ideals capable of being Principal has precipitated this step.
The Trust Board will be able to hand over its property and assets to the New Zealand Section entirely free of debt mainly because of the generosity of the late Mr Griffiths. If other members have left legacies to the School we suggest that to avoid legal complications their wills be changed. Such legacies if left to the Section would be available for maintaining or developing the School property.
The forty years of its existence have ended. Originally founded as a school open to students of every faith in which religious instruction was to be an integral part of education, it started as a boarding school with 43 pupils, mostly children of Theosophical parents. Of later years there were fewer Theosophical pupils and religious instruction was not possible. The roll shows that 891 children passed through the school, some staying more than ten consecutive years. The roll at one time reached 100 and was 60 when the decision to close was made. Miss B. H. Darroch was a most successful Principal for thirty-two years, and Miss Daphne Darroch taught the younger children for nineteen years. The record for service on the Board goes to Miss G. M. Hemus who was a founding member forty-one years ago, President for many years, and is present Vice-President.
To the last it filled a need in the community. The ability of the school and its beautiful surroundings to ‘bring out’ a sensitive child was amazing. All pupils gained a quality of character and initiative which is unique to Vasanta.
To quote from a parent's letter:
“We as parents and well-wishers of the school feel that it is more than a pity that its tradition and wonderful sphere of influence should cease on account of apparently insurmountable difficulties. We realise that nothing worthwhile is achieved without considerable sacrifice and effort and such has been the case with this school. If it could continue we feel that children of other generations would receive the benefit of its influence in a somewhat impersonal and changing world.”
Love children!
For they, too, sinless are like the angels;
They live to purify our hearts:
They live to guide us!
Alas! For him who offends a child!
- From Little Flowers, Sept. - Oct., 1958 (Dostoevsky).
From the Theosophy in New Zealand magazine May-Aug 1959, pg 27
N.Z. Theosophical Educational Trust Board
The New Zealand Theosophical Educational Trust Board has decided to close Vasanta Garden School at the end of the first term 1959, following the resignation of the Principal because of ill-health. We regret that at the time of writing she is very seriously ill. The increasing difficulty in obtaining suitable teachers especially one with Theosophical ideals capable of being Principal has precipitated this step.
The Trust Board will be able to hand over its property and assets to the New Zealand Section entirely free of debt mainly because of the generosity of the late Mr Griffiths. If other members have left legacies to the School we suggest that to avoid legal complications their wills be changed. Such legacies if left to the Section would be available for maintaining or developing the School property.
The forty years of its existence have ended. Originally founded as a school open to students of every faith in which religious instruction was to be an integral part of education, it started as a boarding school with 43 pupils, mostly children of Theosophical parents. Of later years there were fewer Theosophical pupils and religious instruction was not possible. The roll shows that 891 children passed through the school, some staying more than ten consecutive years. The roll at one time reached 100 and was 60 when the decision to close was made. Miss B. H. Darroch was a most successful Principal for thirty-two years, and Miss Daphne Darroch taught the younger children for nineteen years. The record for service on the Board goes to Miss G. M. Hemus who was a founding member forty-one years ago, President for many years, and is present Vice-President.
To the last it filled a need in the community. The ability of the school and its beautiful surroundings to ‘bring out’ a sensitive child was amazing. All pupils gained a quality of character and initiative which is unique to Vasanta.
To quote from a parent's letter:
“We as parents and well-wishers of the school feel that it is more than a pity that its tradition and wonderful sphere of influence should cease on account of apparently insurmountable difficulties. We realise that nothing worthwhile is achieved without considerable sacrifice and effort and such has been the case with this school. If it could continue we feel that children of other generations would receive the benefit of its influence in a somewhat impersonal and changing world.”
Love children!
For they, too, sinless are like the angels;
They live to purify our hearts:
They live to guide us!
Alas! For him who offends a child!
- From Little Flowers, Sept. - Oct., 1958 (Dostoevsky).
From the Theosophy in New Zealand magazine May-Aug 1959, pg 27
Vasanta Garden School
Early this year it became obvious that Vasanta Garden School would not be able to continue. The Principal resigned through illness and could not be replaced. It was then decided to close the School in May after 40 years of work.
According to its Constitution the assets of the Theosophical Educational Trust pass to the New Zealand Section. The Educational Trust Board wished to hand over the properties and other assets after the end of its financial year. 31st October, and as it had been suggested that the transfer might be made directly to the Theosophical Properties Trust Board instead of first to the Section and then to the Properties Trust Board, the General Secretary circularised all members of the Section Executive Committee and gained their approval. The transfer is now being effected by the Section Solicitor, Mr J. S. Longland.
From the ‘Theosophy in New Zealand’' magazine Jan – April 1960
According to its Constitution the assets of the Theosophical Educational Trust pass to the New Zealand Section. The Educational Trust Board wished to hand over the properties and other assets after the end of its financial year. 31st October, and as it had been suggested that the transfer might be made directly to the Theosophical Properties Trust Board instead of first to the Section and then to the Properties Trust Board, the General Secretary circularised all members of the Section Executive Committee and gained their approval. The transfer is now being effected by the Section Solicitor, Mr J. S. Longland.
From the ‘Theosophy in New Zealand’' magazine Jan – April 1960
Compiled and written by Lara-May Thorne