DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1949, Page 4

DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY

w • — ■ College Seen As Beginning Of Education Knowledge obtained in a college should be iust the beginning of its pupiis' education — a mere taste of what could follow. It opened the doors to far greater opportunities in the field of learning. ' Horowhenua College pupiis in their last year, who gathered in the assembly hall for the last time yesterday, listened to this advice from the chairman of the Wellington Education Board, Mr. N. R. Seddon, who earnestly urged them not to ieave with a bang of their books and a "thank goodness that's all . iinished with" attitude. If they did, then they could not have obtained from the college all that they should have. If a college fitted its pupiis with some idea of what life offered, and the belief that life and education were just beginning, then that college could claim to have done.a useful job and to have been a successful college, he added.

A college's usefulness was not measured by the success of a few, but by theteffort and work of the greater mass of its pupiis, continued Mr. Seddon. He was pleased to note that in the 'district there was evident the influence an/i interest of the community,' which was actually ' most importa'nt. Home Influence Many pupiis on leaving school were disposed to cut the painter from their home ties also, and this he urged all those who were entering their new life not to do. The influence of the home was very valuable. "By all means make decisions yourself, but take heed of what your parents say to you," he urged. "RCmember also that your own paths will lead ultimately to .yourselves becoming home makers."

After pointing out that education did not end with a last day at college, the speaker went on to emphasise the value of religion in the days ahead. "There is a disposition during the adolescent period towards a feeling that one has grown beyond religion," said the speaker, but that was far from being the case and all should remember that religion was still tremendously important. The speaker went on to urge all those leaving college to resist the temptation of being led into blind alley positions by the attraction of high wages. There was no happiness in a job one was in only for the money one obtained from it. "You may face jeers and criticism, but do what you think and feel you want to do and are best fitted to do," he concluded. The chairman of the Advisory Board, Mr. F. H. Hudson, warmly thanked Mr. and Mrs. Seddon for their attendance and also all those who had associated themselves with the function. To the pupiis he said: "I wish you all well and hope that you will all remember that you have made your contribution to this college and carry the spirit you have gained here into your lives." Mr. Hudson, on behalf

oi the board, extended greetmgs and best wishes to the principal and staff. Principal's Report. "It is refreshing to begin my fourth annual report without the phrase that has become almost customary on such occasions, 'this has been a diflicult year'," said the principal, Mr. N. A. Byrne, in the • course of a most interesting and comprehensive review .of the past 12 months. "Relatively, the college has worked under more stable conditions than in any previous year since I have been here. We have been fully staffed — there have been few staff chan^es — and no unusual conditions have arisen to interrupt the course of the year's work. We have, of course, had our fair share of minor difficulties, but no school year would be norma! without those. "The college opened on February 1 with an enrolment of 428 students, as against 432 in 1948. New enrolments totalled 161 as against 180 in the previous year, a decrease of 19. This was offset by an increase in the senior enrolment from 252 in 1948 to 267 in 1949. In our physical environment then we have made some progress. The academic standards of the college have also been well maintained. "To those students who are leaving us today I wish prosperity and success in their chosen careers. I urge them to continue their education and study in some form. A school can only lay a foundation the test of which is whether the student continues to build on it in adult life. Your real education must. come from yourself in the development of your skills . and interests. The evening school offers opportunity for this and development. "To those who are returning I wish a happy and unfettered vacation. I hope, too, that you will not allow the taking of temporary vacation work to unsettle you and dissuade you from continuing your education, a thing which happens too often. To my staff I .wish a well-earned rest and a- happy Christmas season. To the senior master, Mr. Haley, to the senior lhistress, Idigs Chap-man-Cohen, I give my sincere thanks for their guidance of our boys and girls during the year-' . Concluding, Mr. Byrne thanked , the chairman and members of the Advisory Board for the interest they had shown in the college and the work they had done for it.