THE COMPLETE SCHOLAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 248, 19 October 1922, Page 4

THE COMPLETE SCHOLAR.

Tn addressing the a.nnual meeting of Christ's College. Old Boys' Association the headmaster, the Rev. E. C. Crosse. eaid that there were many who thought that once they had passed the matriculation examination their task was finished. Some people seem to think that education finishes even earlier, and look upon standard VI. as the goal post, while for certain positions even standard V. is taken as a sufficiency. We often read in biographies of deceased person? that they passed through the local State school with credit and completed their education at the local high school. Is an education ever complete? Any examination, no matter of how high and

exacting a. nature it may be, is only a milestone on the road of progress. The best part of our education begins when school and university life ends. The education we receive, at school is meant to quicken our faculties and give, us the. means by \vhi6h we may continue to learn as life advances. The fact that

so many regard some particular examination, such as matriculation, as marking the end and completion of their studies shovfc that there must be gomething radically wrong in the w«gr u>

which th*y have been taught. If any "-■xamincition is hel.l up an a final poal. th'ii all le.nhing tend* to l-ronw subservient to the pn.=--ins of this examination .)iifl the toachor i* in little better pri.-itioii than the coach v.ho said to a lazy pupil. "If only you will work hard -with mo for the next j-ix month? you will he able >o dlsppn.-5C with Hook.- for the ro*i of your lii<\" If (.übjcfis n'P properly taught the pupil-, interest in these .subjects is arouxvl, and throughout life ho mnintains thi> in'erost. i-vor adding to his score of knowledge and pver fimlinji now hold? (n oxplop-. Many. lifiniurr, ]e;i\r t-.h....l » it.'n a dl.-ta.'.K" for loarninp of fill kinds. To thorn odnration ha- meant a dull lenrnins by hr.irt of iiuintprestins f;.cfs. and ii retention of tiic'f facts in IV memory for only 50 lonfr n time as mnv ftuflioe 111 r thorn to hr di*2nr<red in tiio oxaminnl:in room. School work oiic'nr to hp hroucrhf into rlofro relation with tno rvorydny lit" of tne child, =-0 tint in maturer years (ho relation of knowlerip: , to ]iff may bo tho morp clearly pprreived. Tr 1- .somctliir.s; to a certificate of proficiency. or Mich knowli-rIUO n; is required to pa=? matriculation. But thoco thingfl aro only x hryinning and a prrludo to seeking lii" higher profioicr.cy of 1 iff itseli. and a graduation ■» tho university <>f the world. School is moroly ,t preparation for the wider o4\ication and activities of maturer y»ar=.