I'm writing as one of the many Bayswater School parents who welcomed the change to calling the teachers by their first name. I know that a lot of parents thought that taking away the barrier of Mrs, Miss, Ms, or Mr would result in a lack of respect. The courtesy title doesnot ensure that there is a respectful relationship - the teacher and child form this themselves. I can certainly remember the voice of my high school peers dripping with disdain as they referred to Miss (etc.). I think most parents are certainly remembering their own school days; back in the days when you would always refer to your parents friends (or friends parents) as Mr and Mrs. We no longer expect our children to do that, so why put that barrier between our children and their teachers? And, yes, I do feel it is a barrier. Children in kindergartens refer to their teacher by first name and then start school and immediately there is a barrier between them and the teacher. I also probably have a differing view as I'm a 3rd year primary teaching student at AUT Akoranga. I'm more aware than most parents that teaching has moved on. The teacher no longer stands at the front of the class spouting out knowledge in the hope that it reaches the children; the child and teacher are now equal partners in the process. Jo Andrell
