SIN OF SELFISHNESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 12

SIN OF SELFISHNESS

Dean’s Address At Break-up

ST. HILDA’S SCHOOL

“ Selfishness is the root of all sin—it Is poisoning life today. Do not be selfish." This warning was given to the girls of St. Hilda's Collegiate School by the Very Rev. P. E. James, Dean of Dunedin, at the annual closing ceremony of the school in the Concert Chamber last night. Personal selfishness, class group selfishness and national selfishness was making it more and more difficult for men to live together, he said, yet by living under the principles given by God, there would be sufficient for each man.

He could not help contrasting New Zealand as it was when he first arrived 10 years ago with what it was now, said Canon James. He felt that the moral temperature of the country had fallen In that 10 years.

The question of what was a good school was discussed by the Dean. There was a soul in a good school, he said. It was a society held together by the spirit of life and work. Those who preserved the reputation of a school were not only the pupils who gained distinction in later life, said Canon James. The greater number of pupils who did not gain dis-

tinotion, but with their limitations nevertheless did their duty with loyalty, also preserved the school’s reputation. He thought a school could be judged Dy the average girl who followed the principles and ideas given to her by her school. The principal. Miss F. Slote, in presenting her annual report, reminded pupils that while the young child ” pumped ” her teachers, the main function of those who taught young students was to show them how to find information and to correlate it. The chairman was Bishop Fitchett, and the prizes were presented by Mrs James. Prize List Dux of School.—Margot Hardie. Dux of Junior School.—Phillipa Lascelles. The class awards were:— Form lll.—Divinity: Marie Hazlett. Honour: Judith Russell, Barbara McKechnie. Credit: Cecilia Benfield. Drawing: Robin Insul, Anne Herbert. Dressmaking: Judith Russell. Form IV.—Divinity: Barbara Nelson. Honour: Geraldine- Clay, Barbara Nelson, Gwynne Jerram. Credit: Ellen Russell. Drawing: Helen Low. Dressmaking: Lorraine Hodge. Crafts: Barbara Stokes. Form V.—Divinity: Margaret Thompson, Mary Menlove. Honour: Margaret Thompson. Credit: Mary Menlove, Margaret Michelle, Judith Solomon. Dressmaking: Margaret Watt. Appreciation of literature: Pamela Brinsley. Science: Margaret Thompson. Form Vlb.—Divinity: Helen Williams. Credit: Helen Williams. French: Heather Dayus. English: Helen Williams. Zoology: Helen Williams. English and history: Heather Dayus and Helen Williams. Form Via.—Honour: Margot Hardie. English: Patricia Philp. Appreciation of literature: Patricia Philp.