IDEALS AND COMPETENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 6

IDEALS AND COMPETENCE

GIRL PUPILS’ NEED IN AFTER-LIFE ARCHBISHOP’S VIEWS The upholding of school ideals in life was advocated by the Primate, Archbishop Averill, speaking yeeterday at a memorial service to the founders of the Diocesan Girls' High School. On the platform with the Primate and Mr. C. J. Tunks, chairman of the school council, were Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Miss E. M. Sandford, headmistress of the Diocesan School, and the Rev. G. C. Cruickshank. There was a large attendance of former pupils and friends. “Education gives us fine qualities to take with us when we leave school,” the Primate said. ‘‘Do not think you •an do without your school ideals when you leave. Your ideals will be needed in business, society and sport and the best advertisement of a school lies in its old scholars. People naturally look to your ideals and conduct to see if you are carrying on the school tradition. “It is easy for ideals, particularly those of a school, to be misunderstood. The ideals of your own school are needed in society.” The Primate said the real test of education was outside the examination room. The one purpose of education was to enable the student to think clearly and accurately. Clear thinking was the basis of action and of character. “ ‘Whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,'” said the Archbishop. “Education should teach us discrimination and the ability to overcome our difficulties.” Mr. Tunks mentioned the loss to the school in the deaths of a member of the council, Air. IT. P. Kissling, and of Miss Ward. The school was congratulated on attaining its 20th anniversary by Mr. Mahon, who said girls were now given the same opportunities in business as boys. The positions available called for greater responsibilities and the test of leadership was competence. The ideals In instructing boys were required in the education of girls. Mr. Mahon said he knew from experience that the boys who had won the greatest distinction in after-life w-ere those who spent two years in the sixth form. An entertainment was Field for the guests after the memorial service. The. first headmistress and one of the founders, Miss M. E. Pulling, was a guest.