The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1917. THE NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1917. THE NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Tho annual breaking up ceremony in connection with the New 'Plymouth Boyis' High School affords an excellent opportunity for estimating the value of thh educational asset, as well as for noting the progress made by the school in all its activities, moral, social, physical, educational and national. It is too often taken for granted that the work of a school under an efficient principal and staff is being satisfactorily done, and' even the parents of the boys aro prone, to judge the results from a personal rather than a national view, losing sight of the great fact that it is school work, school discipline, and school influences that will in time make their mark on national life. There are few who adequately recognise the importance of such an asset as the New Plymouth High School, for the girls' branch is equally as great an asset as the boys.' New Plymouth is rich in assets, but it is mostly the observant residents from other less favored districts who are most enthusiastic over what should be prized most highly by local people. It was an excellent idea to take advantage of the presence of the Bishop of the- Diocese, Or. Averill, in New Plymouth to get his Lordship to distribute the prizes to the successful boys of the High School. In the extremely interesting address he gave there was not only warm appreciation of the work of the school, but a recognition of the position it occupies as a national institution, and that though in its formative stages, it was fast rising to be one of the best high schools in the Domin'nn. The two main points of the bish. /.? admirable address were the dangers of complacency and the fact that the boys went to school not merely to receive tuition, but to give something in return. At a time of street like this which now prevails these two points cannot be over emphasised. The great tinking-up. process which has unified the country and united the Empire with a thoroughness beyond all previous concep- | lion, should at least inculcate a greater breadth of vision, a larger conception jf Oie utility of the units in national affairs, besides eliminating the narrow local self-satisfaction which is commonly jailed parochialism; hence the warning of Dr. Averill against regarding the High School as a local instead of a national institution was timely and appropriate. In these times we think and talk imperially, and it is the height of noble patriotism to regard our education, al institutions as a factor not only in the status and power of the Dominion, but of the Great Empire of which New Zealand is a member. It is at such seats of learning and discipline that Empire workers, Empire builders and Empire defenders are created. It is in this connection that the impressive words of Dr. Ayerill should take deep root in the minds of all the pupils passing through the local High School from time to time. They are worthy of being displayed in letters of gold on a conspicuous place in the school so that boys for all time may be inspired thereby—"an armament of high ideals," wherewith to place the school in the high position it destined to occupy. Equally forcible and apt were the Bishop's remarks concerning the part the boys should play while at Bchool, not merely in receiving knowledge, but in what they give. This aspect probably came as a surprise to many of those present, although, as Dr. Averill pointed out, the principle had been emphasised by the British Premier when he said "it was not what an Empire gets, but what it gives that makes it great." National life is, after all, a reflex of private and school life, so that those wlio "helped along school life with high morals and a pure mind," and put their best into their work, would surely help forward the best and highest efforts in the life of the nation. The builders of the reputation of a school will be the builders of the reputation of a nation, hence the im. portance of utilising to the utmost the highest ideals which should animate the stnfl' and pupils of a successful school, Tliis Id (lie spirit Hint hru made the groat public schools of tho Homeland famous.

fur they are the training grounds of the nation's statesmen and Empire's defenders. The secret of the success of the New iPlymouh Boys' High School is to be found in the fact that its present administration embodies the right ideals for producing scholars, athletes, and above all, "gentlemen." It is gratifying to have such high testimony as that from Bishop Averill as to the effect of Mr. Moyes* personality on the school, the Board of. Governors may well lay to heart the .Stirling advice of the Bishop to give the principal a perfectly free hand—to trust him as he trusts the boys.