SCHOOLS’ PART

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21601, 11 December 1941, Page 4

SCHOOLS’ PART

TRAINING YOUTHS RIGHTS OF DEMOCRACY “LIFE AS AN ADVENTURE” Presenting his annual report at the break-up of the Hamilton High School today the Principal, Mr H. D. Tait, said that at the opening of the year 343 old pupils returned and 181 new pupils were enrolled, 34 being transfers from other schools. On March 1 there was a record roll of 502. In reference to examinations Mr Tait said that those who thought that too much had hitherto been made of examinations would learn with pleasure that a scheme of accrediting for the University Entrance Examination was being prepared to the effect that if a school were one of proved efficiency it was possible that the recommendation of the headmaster, based on the school record, would be accepted by the controlling authorities in place of the written test but an external examination was to be retained for those who required it. “It must be pointed out, however,” said Mr Tait, "that examinations are undoubtedly an incentive to steady work and a great stimulus to most pupils.” While speaking on the Old Pupils’ Associations Mr Tait mentioned that nearly 300 old boys were serving overseas. Spirit of Work “We aim at inculcating a spirit of work, which is the foundation of character,” added Mr Tait, in reviewing the functions of the school. “The pupil must be taught to make I his work -as perfect as possible in the small details that demand pains, not only talents, and to make himself capable of doing ‘hard, uncoaxed, uncomplimented work.’ It has been j said that perhaps the most valuable i result of all education is the ability j to make yourself do the thing you ; have to do, when it ought to be done, | whether you like it or not; it is the | first lesson that ought to be learned; i and, however early a man’s training | begins, it is probably the last lesson ; that he learns thoroughly. The ; school environment is framed to i achieve this end, but without the cooperation of home-training our work | falls short of our ideal,” added Mr ; Tait. “The parent, the pupil and the teacher must work together in close harmony and understanding to secure the best results. “A school must arouse a living interest in the ideals and achievej ments of mankind, and also the desire to pursue knowledge when I school days are over. This is most i important. On the moral side, the | foundation of conduct must be laid j through example and influence. The discipline of school is not an arbij trary matter a mere problem of keepi ing a large number of pupils quietly ;at work. It is a matter of implant- : ing in the pupils habits of industry, i self-control and a courageous perj severance in the face of difficulties. ! These are some of the qualities that j bring success and happiness in afterI school years. Sense of Duty” “Our work is incomplete unless we j foster a strong sense of duty—duty toward individuals and toward the State,” said Mr Tait. “And here I think we might do more to demonstrate the meaning of democracy in action. Democracy must be safeguarded for the future, and the schools can and should prove a useful training ground for those who will later be required to cast their vote with disermnaton as well as takng an active part in government. We must aim to a greater extent to train pupils in the election of committees and officers in the acceptance of responsibility and in a fuller realisation of the power of the vote. It is ojovious that too many are content to take only a passive part in the government of our country and a training such as this would ensure that more would take an active participation in vital public and national problems.

“We must, too, help our pupils to view life as an adventure —“Safety first” should not be their guiding principle. The pioneer .spirit of our forefathers must not be allowed to languish, for the world still offers boundless opportunities for those with the spirit and grit to seize them,” concluded Mr Tait. “The corporate life of the school in classroom and playing field is valuable in giving our pupils a training in fair play, in acceptance of victory and defeat, in loyalty to one another, and in the overcoming of difficulties, all of which are necessary if our boys and girls are to play a useful and honourable part in the outside world.”

One of the prizes was presented by the parents of Sergeant-Pilot Frederick A. V. M. Drummond, aged 18, who was killed in an aircraft accident in England. This prize, which was won by R. Harris, was a class prize for languages. "Sergeant-Pilot Drummond was one of the best language scholars the school has produced,” said the principal, Mr Tait.