HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 17, 17 December 1937, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. ADDRESS BY ARCHDEACON YOUNGThe annual prize-giving ceremony of the Fei l.ding Agricultural High School was held last evening. There was an excellent attendance. Proceedings were opened with the singing of “Jerusalem” by the scholars. Mr ' J. K-rright, chairman of the Board of Managers, on rising to welcome those present and to introduce Archdeacon J. R. Young, who addressed the gathering, was accorded a round of applause. “In reviewing the activities of our school during the past year one finds that quite a number of outstanding events call for brief comment,” said Mr Knight. “First was the deparure on April 18 last of our headmaster, Mr Wil’d, on his trip overseas in connection with the Carnegie Fellowship. The board willingly granted the leave of absence, as it fully realised the value to the school and to education generally of the experience which Mr Wild would gain when abroad. With Mr McClure as acting-headmaster, the school has maintained steady progress and the hearty co-operation of every member of the staff has made liis responsibilities ever so much lighter. Then we have had important additions to our school buildings, with more in hand for the coming year. These additions entailed the purchase of more land and the board secured one acre adjoining the school to accommodate the refectory block, and has since acquired a further two and a-half acres for our tennis courts and future extension in other departments. On the farm, operations have been particularly successful and it has more than paid” its way. The successes gained with our stock at the recent Royal Show were most gratifying, the school securing four Royal championships. This reflects much credit upon our farm manager, Mr Stevens, and his assistants.” HEADMASTER’S REPORT. Mr 0. B. McClure, acting headmaster, in his report said: “All matters which go to make up the school life,

its activities and functions are in the hands of tho pupils themselves and one is not long in ‘the seats of tho mighty’ before one realises the falseness of the statement that children are creatures of ‘original sin,’ that they are more prone to evil and wrong-do-ing than towards what the adult mind calls the right or the virtuous. My observations convince me—and I am sure it applies to all children equally as well as to the children of this school—that children are full of original virtu re, that in all things then- inclination is to the right, that their ideals are high, their ambitions good, and their natural urge is to succeed in the honourable. So often I have found the . questioning of the adult mind is not conceivable to them —to them there can bo only one right and one wrong—‘the whole duty of man’ to them is In the individual ‘utmost for the highest.’ The form of education or teaching then which is pessimistic of youth and which sees in children only something to be disciplined, coerced, or driven into channels which is the adult ideal cannot produce results making for tho ‘summum bonum’ (the greatest school) and there is consequently much to be said for the Summerliil type of. school where the children are allowed to do as they please. The school has maintained the standards of conduct demanded by the community of its individuals ; it has furthered the interests, upheld the honour, arid advanced on tho traditions previously set; it has striven to live true to tho motto, “ICia Toa Kia Ngakaunui!”—“Bo brave, be large-hearted.” I wish to thank all who have made my task so pleasant. The school council, and the pupils themselves (not forgetting tho boarders) have needed no urging; the staff has given most loyal support; and the board headed by the chairman have given willingly both of their time .and help.” LETTER FROM MR WILD. The following letter from Mr L. J. Wild, headmaster, in London, was read : “I want you all to know, before you separate for the holidays—some not to return again—how grateful I am to you, one and all, for the wonderful opportunities I have had in this tour abroad. I am aware that I could not have left the school had you not all been prepared to accept additional re-

sponsibility, nor could I have left so ca.re-free to enjoy to the full my opportunities had I not been confident that you would, one and all, rise to the occasion. I shall endeavour to show my gratitude by giving the school in the years to come the benefit of the experience. I send my best wishes for ‘good hunting’ in the final examinations, whether school or University; to those that are leaving, my earnest hopes that each may find occupation suited to his or her talents, and an opportunity to advance the common good; to those that return, even better years and richer opportunities than the past has afforded.” THE PRIZE LIST. The following is the prize list for 1937: General excellence. —Form lIIA : J. Taylor (Wanganui) 1, D. Macnab (Wanganui) 2. Form IIIA: J. Williams (Kiwitea) 1. G. Payton (Apiti) 2. Form IIIB: B. Cobbo 1, Mavis Brabyn 2, Audrey Watson 3. Form IIIC: Jessie Jenkins I, Jean Saunders 2. Form IIID: Jessie Nash 1. Form IYA: G. 11. Swinburn (Hawera) 1, K. Addis (Waipawa) and Iv. M. Smith (Gisborne) equal 2. Form IVB: W. To Punga (Halcombe) 1, Gaenor Henson 2. Form IVC: Muri McDowall 1, Norma Sandbrook 2. Form IVD : Edna Fergusson (Halcombe) 1. Form YA (Mr E. 11. Brewer’s special) : P. Russell 1, R. E. Hale (Turua) and W. D. Whitehead (Tuakau) equal 2. Form VB: Gwen Fergusson (Halcombe) 1, 11. C. Raven 2, Beverley Reed 3. Special merit prize : Patricia Graham. Form VCD: Ngaire Waugh (Kimbolton) 1, Moya AValton 2. Form VI : A. D .Fair 1.

Trophy for best drill leader. —11, C. Raven. Shooting: Senior, D. Fraser (Gisborne); junior, E. Hewott. Mrs Sandiland’s special prizes for drill: Senior, Rona Heap; junior, Lily Prior. Miss ■ Beattie’s special for home science: Roberta Cranston. Miss Wright's for homo crafts: Patricia Coleman. Mr Coleman’s annual award for “drive” in the woodwork class: 11. O’. Collier (Marion). Dux of the school (actirig-hoadmaster’s gold medal) ; A. D. Fair. Edmond Cup for merit in second year agricultural course: V. Wilhelm (Marton). Allen Brothers’ rose bowl for merit among students in the agricultural course: W. If. Lodgo (Kiwitea). War Trophies Exhibition Committee’s challenge cup for merit, with Mr S. M. Ilobb’s gold medal: 11. B. Hayward. Miss Billman’s trophy for floral work: Constance Pearson. Dawn Ewen and Helen Goldfinch Cup for correct speech : Miru McDowall. Mr C. W. Lea’s special prizes for chemistry: Form 1118, B. Cobbe; Form IVB, W.-Te Punga (Halcombe); Form VI, A. D. Fair. Mr Lea’s special for bookkeeping : R. Thurston (Taihape). Mr C. If. Sayer’s special for crafts: Margaret Parkes. Mr Nicholson’s special for history and geography: R. G. To Punga. (Halcombe). Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s challenge cup for highest aggregate of marks in all subjects of tho senior agricultural course: W. J. Osborne (Wellington). The late Mr Norman Gorton’s challenge cup for practical agriculture: W. 11. Lodge (Kiwitea). Mr P. G. Steven’s challenge cup for knowledge of livestock: R. E. Hale (Turua). Wellington Provincial Farmers’ Union challenge cup for highest aggregate of marks in- secondyear agricultural course: G. R. Swinburn (Hawera). Prize for stock judging: G. Cooper (Raurimu). Feilding Chamber of Commerce challenge cup for highest aggregate of marks in tho first-year agricultural course: J. Taylor (Wanganui). Shanks and White Cup for best all-round junior athlete: C. Ewen. Wildbore Cup for senior athletic champion: K. M. Smith (Gisborne). Mr J. S. Tingey’s challenge cup for highest aggregate of marks, University entrance candidates: Gwen Eergusson (Halcombe). Old Pupils’ Association

special prize for merit in English literature: M. T. Te Punga (Halcombe). Certificates in agriculture: J. E. Fountaine (Wocdville), R. E. Hale (Turua). W. 11. Lodge (Kiwitea), 11. 11. Morice (Gisborne), W. L. Osborne (Wellington), B. A. Robertson (Wellington), W. W. Robertson (Palmerston North), ' P. Russell, B. Smith (Otane), W. D. Whitehead (Tuakau). PURPOSE OF EDUCATION. “I want to direct attention to what I believe to be the real purpose of education,” said Archdeacon Young. “I believe that it is a setting free, for as we learn we are set free into a larger and more spacious way of living.” . The visions of the great scientists of tho natural laws were of incalculable wealth to civilisation; a knowledge of history was a great liberator, and it was a great thing to know that the thinkers and philosophers of years ago had a profound knowledge of much that we had never been able to improve upon. One of tho lessons of history was that it was futile to base conduct on motives of expediency; the only thing to base life on was principle. Owing to tile League of Nations not receiving the backing from those nations which had pledged themselves to hack that organisation, when the Manchurian question was vital, the nations were now facing a situation worse than that which resulted in the Great War. It was due to the policy of exnediency. People entered into contracts, and as soon as it appeared to one of the parties that it would lie of advantage to break that contract it was promptly broken. It extended to-day to international affairs. “We are following a desperately shortsighted and immoral policy in following the way of expediency,” said Archdeacon Young, “so I impress upon you tho tremendous importance of basing life on sound principles so that we shall be the sort of people upon whom God can depend. They should be the principles of generosity and fair-mindedness, sincerity and honesty. Your motto should bo ‘He who serves most is greatest.’ ” Addressing the girls the speaker reminded them that they were the trustees of our ideals, and man always hoped in his heart that woman would never let him down. A life of contribution he believed to be the ideal relationship, and lie commended that ideal to his audience, hoping that the I younger generation would achieve finer things than those in the evening of their days had accomplished. Mr Young was accorded a vote of thanks moved by Mr T. S. Goldsmith, and the function concluded with the presentation of prizes and the singing of the school song, “Forty Years Oil” and the National Anthem.