St Johns Ravenscourt School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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J edication We have, this year, respectfully dedicated the yearbook to Mr. James A. Richardson, who has served the school as Chairman of the Board of Governors ever since 1952. A fitting tribut e was made to him by Mr. Gordon, at the Carol Service, when he pre¬ sented Mr. Richardson with a very unique book; a gesture of thanks by the school. In the following speech which Mr. Gordon made, he concluded with the foreword of the book: “This book, of which three copies only have been printed, is designed to express the warm gratitude of many people — boys, masters, and parents — past, present, and fu¬ ture — for the enduring interest, generous support and thoughtful work of James Richardson on behalf of this School during his term as Chairman of the Board of Governors 1952-64.” JAMES A. RICHARDSON The Speech : “And now, just before the end of this Carol Service, I would like, on behalf of us all, to give a Christmas present to a person who has played a special role in the life of this school — a person, but for whom we might not be here having a Carol Service at all. criticisms have been just; his comments perceptive; his interest, eager, and his encouragement to make this school, his school, as good a one as we, all of us, could make it, has been constant. He has earned a respite from his many time-consum¬ ing duties in connection with School affairs. I hope that I know him well enough, however, to say that his interest and encouragement will continue. Mr. Richardson will not be turning the Chairmanship of the Board over to his successor until some time in the new year, but this seemed to us the right time — when parents, boys. Board members and staff are gathered together — to tell him how deeply grateful we are for all he has done in the past twelve years — first of all for making certain that the school could continue to exist; secondly, for insisting that the con¬ tinued existence should depend upon its merits, and thirdly for making its merits known to others who have helped us. Mr. Richardson is a modest person and I feel I must not embarrass him by a recitation of his many acts of generosity or a full account of what his great investiture of time and talent has meant to us. To me personally he has been the best counsellor and friend a Headmaster could hope for. His I have here a book — a book which has been prepared and produced by several people over a period of months — a book which no one can buy — a book which we hope will remind Mr. Richardson and his family and will tell sons, grand¬ sons, and great grandsons something of the part that his family has played in the destiny of the School. The three copies of this book will be distributed: one to Mrs. Richardson Sr., one to Mrs. Richardson, and the third will remain in the school as a perpetual reminder of Jim Richardson ' s work here, and that of his father before him. We have called the book “Two Generations — a title that we felt might be of some signifi¬ cance to the Richardson Family and also to this School. Here is the book, and let me, before I present it, read you the introduction:” One of the many Board Meetings that Mr. Richardson attended.

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NUMBER 15. 1965

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Architect ' s conception of the new Lower School Building. More than two years ago, plans were begun by a committee consisting of some members of the Board of Governors, the Staff, and the School Architect for a further expansion of the school. A master plan of the school at its full growth, 15 years from now, was made, and a program stating the needs and reasons for expansion was compiled. An examination of the program showed the type and design of building which would be needed, and the facilities it would contain. It was decided that upon completion of the new building, the Upper School would take over the Memorial Wing, and the new building would become a Lower School building, containing all the necessary offices and facilities to allow it to func¬ tion efficiently. In it would have to be a biology lab., locker rooms, a recreation area, a library, washrooms, and classrooms to accommodate 20 boys each, with the exception of Form VI, which could seat 25 because of the double Form VII. The next step was to swing the Memorial Wing to its present position, since the planning commit¬ tee wanted to avoid physically separating the Upper and Lower Schools. The Memorial Wing, being a light frame structure, lent itself to the move. The original plans for the new building were then modified to site it to the size of the old Memorial Wing site, so that it still linked the gymnasium and Hamber Hall. This made it some¬ what larger, and it will now contain 4 Upper School classrooms. At the same time, the committee realized that a new sewer system and lift station would be ne¬ cessary, as would new water mains, and a central heating system for the whole school. A larger power input was needed and after the underground cables go in, down go the old telephone poles! A more efficient fire-alarm system was set up, with the installation of smoke detectors. As the plans became clearer, the building was gradually adapt¬ ed to perfectly suit our needs. When all was thought to be ready, tenders were called, and on the 5th of August, 1964 the com¬ mittee gave the contract to Imperial Construction, the low bidder, and the amount authorized for the total project (including furnishings in the new building and modifications to the buildings, around it) was $494,000. The contract was signed in late August, and construction‘began at once; the com¬ pany was given until July 1, 1965, to finish. As this is being written, the company is optimistic, m Putting in the Boilers 3