ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15774, 15 December 1916, Page 2

ST. ANDREW'S COLLEGE.

THE headmasteb and his IDEALS. MR S. R. DICKINSON INTERVIEWED. Mr S. R. Dickinson, who at Wednesday's meeting of the Board of Governors of St. Andrew's Boys' College, was appointed headmaster, is native of Geelong, Victoria, and obtained his professional education at Melbourne University, of which he is a graduate, with final honours for classics and the seiencc of language. • He also holds the l>iploma of Education of that University. For the past few years prior to coming to New Zealand, he was head of Lesiie House School, one of the leading secondary schools of Hobart. In Tasmania he wr.s examiner of the Teachers' and Schools' Registration Board, and also convenor of and examiner to the State Scholarship Board. On his arrival in New Zealand, Mr Dickinson, along with Mr G. H. Uttley, was appointed to establish Scots' College for the Presb.vterv of Wellington, and was co-principle and head of the day school of that institution. Mr Dickinson is married, and lias two cons. Mrs Diekiur-on assisted him in the management of the domestic side of Leslie House School. In sport. Mr Dickinson has been associated mainly with lawn tennis, although he is interested in all forms of athletic snoits. In tennis he has represented South Tasmania against North, for the past twelve years, and has aiso represented Tasmania in interState tournaments. fn nri interview with n representative of "The Press," Mr Dickinson said that it was hoped to have St. Andrew's College actively at work on Fcbru.vry nth. 1917. Already n number of enquiries had been made on behalf of day boys, and b" oxp?cted that as soon as the establishment of the C" 1 - lege was more widely known there would ho numerous applications on behalf of hoarders. As to the staff, arrangements were being made at present to secure suitable The scone of the College, M- Dickinson added, contemplated ratting the beys in at the earliest acre, r.-nd to keep them in one institution throughout their educational career. As to the curriculum, great encouragement would lv» given to the pursuit of hobbies and interests in connexion with wh'eh pvircs would ho given. Prizc s would not be given on a, competitive basis for school work, thoucih it would be possible for boy 6 maintaining n hi«rh -stand"wl and continuous interest in any subject to obtain nr'7"s.

Mr D : "Vinson boliovcs that under the ordinary system of prizegiving «ravo injustice is often don« te deserving hoys who. through no forlt of their own. a> - e not destined to shine on and honours lists. Emulation will bo indnoed hv other means than the possibility of winning prizes.

Regarding the need of such a collsc" as St. Andrew's. M- Dickinson pointed to the success of Scots College. Wollincten. *»ti<l success of tW different Presbyterian oollesres for girls, and also to tho fact that till the establishment of St. Andrew's Col'ece there was no Presbvtovisn institution for bovs in the South Island. As to the general aim of the college, he said that almost everv writer on social questions stressed tho necessity for educational efficiency in order to successfully cope with after-war conditions. "There is no doubt," he continued, "that education, properly directed, has a- noble part to plav in tho i?reat political and social . adjustments that will be necessary after the present "Teat convulsion is over. There is a danger, however, that in endeavouring to avoid a similar cataclysm and in the effort to paralyse the energies of our present enemies, the material aspect may be exalted to the detriment of the spiritual. It will be, surely, the aim of the educational institutions under the regis of the Prosbvteriau Church to combat that tendencv." Concluding, Mr Dickinson said that the Church school would help to unify those three most important educative agencies—the home, the school, and the church. The aim of St. Andrew's College would bo to develop strong Christian ideals coupled with preparation for the discharge of civic responsibilities and duties.