From the Editor An Editorial Appreciation SEDDON H. W. HILL Eleventh Headmaster 1963 - 1978 This Wellingtonian records the passing of an important era in the 112 year history of Wellington College. The destinies of the College have for the past sixteen years been in the hands of Seddon Hill, the eleventh Headmaster, 1963-1978.
and became an Assistant Master at Kati Kati district High School. In 1956 he moved to Mt. Roskill Grammar School in Auckland as H.O.D. English. It was from here that he came as a young Headmaster in 1963 to Wellington College.
We have attempted to recapture some of the significant events of those years. But what is recorded here is very superficial indeed. The warmth and charm of the personality of the Headmaster, his dealings and influence with so many New Zealanders in public and private life will live long in the memories of this generation.
He brought with him the enthusiasm and drive, the ability to inspire warmth and generosity in others, the humanity, patience, understanding and tolerance that marked his period of leadership. He loved people and was gifted in his relationships and understanding of them. He brought the wisdom of experience and a deep understanding of human nature. His optimism was ever ready to uplift. As a true educator he saw the complete person and was solicitous to provide in changing times, for the sporting, cultural and artistic as well as the intellectual and academic necessities of the growing adolescent. His was a wider vision and a deeper passion in his quest for the welfare, the worth and the goodness of man. A feature of his life was his appreciation of the importance of the individual. Hence he often found it hard to separate the man from his actions. it was this totality of character, this integrity that made him so attractive and appealing as a leader. One felt safe when Seddon Hill was at the helm, so complete was the trust and loyalty he inspired in one and generously reciprocated. Hence the College was a happy dynamic place to be.
How inadequate it is to attempt to record the humanity and breath of those years. In 1935 the young Seddon Hill began work in a Gisborne commercial house. He was lucky, as many were not, to obtain work in the days of the Great Depression. 1939 saw the world plunged into the Second World War and Seddon Hill enlisted with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He saw war service in England, Egypt, Greece and Crete. He was captured a prisoner of war in Crete and spent four years in a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Those inner qualities, strength of spirit and optimism which were characteristics of the man were forged in the turmoil of those years. He saw his career before him and decided to work in the interests of the new generations. He attended Auckland University and Teachers' College
To stimulate our memories we record just some of the moments from the galaxy of the Hill years.