Observer Editorial - Ina Loving
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OBSERVER EDITORIAL 1993 - Ina Loving - A Lifetime of Service

EDITORIAL

A Lifetime Of Service.

Friday last week must have been a day of great joy for Ina loving, for not only was she honoured, at a ceremony at the T.O.R. Memorial School, when one of the nation' highest awards, the Order of Merit Gold was bestowed upon her by the Governor General Dr, James Beethoven Carlisle, but it was announced that Mrs. Nathalie Hurst (nee Francis), former student of the T.O.R., will become the new headmistress of the school from today.

We know that Miss Loving was delighted to receive the medal, and was touched by the number of past pupils, friends, and well wishers, that turned up to witness the ceremony. But we are sure that what gave her the greatest joy was the fact that Nathalie Hurst will be taking over the job of headmistress of the school.

In our/judgement there could not have been a better choice or a finer candidate, for the position of Headmistress of the T.O.R. Memorial School than Nathalie Hurst, and Miss Loving can enjoy her retirement safe in the knowledge that the school is in excellent hands.

It is generally agreed that for the past 95 years the T.O.R. (Miss Robinson's School) has been one of the nation's premier educational institutions. It has provided education to all with an absence of barriers, and at moderate cost. Few know of the sacrifices that Miss Loving, and before her Miss Nellie Robinson, and all the teachers past and present, have made to keep the doors of the school open. We shall give you an idea.

The total revenue of the school is about $165,000. Out of that the school must pay property taxes, insurance, cost of repairs to the school, pay teachers salaries, buy chalk, toilet paper, cleaning material, school supplies etc., etc. The total enrolment is just over 150 pupils, and the total government grant after 95 years of service to the community is a mere $5000.

The highest paid teacher at the school, with over thirty years experience, earns a mere $1100 per month. Truly a labour of love, and not of reward. School fees are a modest $300 per term, if the school can collect it. In short the school is in a very critical financial condition, and needs the help of the community.

We are pleased to report that Miss Loving sought the help of past pupil, and eminent lawyer, Sydney Christian, to put the school on a solid foundation. Mr. Christian has devised a plan to place the ownership of the school in the hands of a friendly society, and that friendly society will lease the school premises from Miss Loving for a period of five years, with an option to renew the lease 'for a further period of five years. The school will then have a breathing space of ten years to put itself right.

Mr. Christian also persuaded the Government to second Mrs. Nathalie Hurst to the school as headmistress,

and to second a further two trained teachers to the school from today - the start of a new term. Further Mr. Christian got Government to agree to provide training to those persons presently teaching at the school so that they can upgrade their skills. Government is now committed to the school in a much greater way than they were in the past and Education Minister Bernard Percival should be complimented for his help and the speed with which he acted.

All this just scratches the surface. The school has an overdraft at the bank that needs to be repaid, it needs desks, chairs etc. What the school needs is a benefactor, perhaps several benefactors, who will delve into their pockets to help the school. We can think of no more worthy cause.

Of course the fees will have to increased from its present $300 per term, but that cannot be done overnight. The new term is already upon us, but we advise parents to brace themselves for at least a fifty percent increase in fees next term,

One final matter that needs to b« addressed, Miss Loving has given her life to the school, other teachers have too. What is their future when they retire? Miss Loving is not a wealthy person. She shunned making money for service to the community. it is time for the community to serve her. It is the duty of the Government to provide Miss Loving with a  pension. Let us all, with one voice, tell the Government that we want them to provide for Miss Loving for the rest of her life. She has earned it.  

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OBSERVER EDITORIAL – SEPTEMBER 1993