The End of the School Year

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1939, Page 6

The End of the School Year

THIS week marks the end of the year so far as the majority of schools in New Zealand are concerned. In Whangarei, as elsewhere, breaking-up ceremonies have been the order of the week, and pupils of all ages, from tiny tots to those about to leave school to take part in the battle of life, have been interested in prize-givings. The end of a school is an event of real importance to all students, but especially to the boys and girls who are saying-good-bye to the institutions with which they have been associated during the impressionable years of their lives. The gaining of a prize is naturally something which gives pleasure to the winner. It may be regarded as the sign manual of proficiency, and, accordingly, an achievement to be treasured. There are those who hold strongly that the awarding of prizes is not in the interests of real education and the development of character. Much can be said for this contention, as the spirit of “pot hunting’’ may very easily be developed in the child of tender years no less than in the adult who takes part in sport for the sake of the prize. However, the advocates of prize-giving have much to adduce in support of their theory that the hope of reward is a paramount incentive to enterprise in the realm of education no less than in other spheres of endeavour. It should, however, be admitted that failure to secure a prize is not necessarily an indication of disgrace or incompetence. Until there is evolved a system of examination based on the fact that candidates are temperamental beings, not automata, there must of necessity be cases where highly-strung but worthy students will fare less favourably than their better constitutioned fellows. ' , That fact, however, does not detract from the credit and glory attaining to success, and all prize-winners are accordingly to be heartily congratulated. At the same time, it should be realised by students, be they young or old, that the winning of a prize is not so important a matter as the spirit in which the attempt to win the prize is made. The competitor who can honestly tell himself that he did his best is the possessor of a prize no man can take away. Oliver Wendell Holmes was right when he said that “not failure, but low aim, is crime.” This fact should be brought under the notice of children who, having striven to the best of their ability during the school year, have been disappointed at their failure to be among the prize-winners on breaking-up day. The end of school days is an event of paramount importance to young people and parents alike, especially at a time like the present, when the future is obscure. There is no need for despondency, however, for the problems which to-day confront parents and those who are leaving school differ little from the problems which have confronted others down through the centuries. The future has inevitably proved the folly of fear and disquiet, and this will doubtless prove the experience of those who are now about to exchange school life for the busy world of industry. . That the holidays may prove a season of : happiness and health-promotion to those who will return to school next year and that those who are saying good-bye to school this week may have a prosperous future is our sincere wish.