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

Page 43 text:

2 um Until a few years ago the only dance that S.J.R. had that was open to the whole Upper School was the Cadet Ball. In order to lower the cost of the Cadet Ball they decided to have a few semi-open informal dances and to use the proceeds against the cost of the Ball. Until this year only a band from the school had played at these dances; this year we endeavoured to go outside the school to get the best bands we could. On Saturday, September 24th the Safe and Sound,” a new band from Fort Garry, played to about 190 people. Then on Friday, November 11, Jury” came to S.J.R. and put on a great show. On Saturday, December 10 The Elastic Band” played, and on Saturday, February 18, at our Winter Carnival, The New Mongrels” played to a large crowd. At the time this is written there is an upcoming dance with Danny and the Footprints,” and we hope to have another dance before the final exams. In the first year of getting bands from outside the school everything has gone well. The boys have sup¬ ported the dances and at the same time enjoyed coming here. It is the main aim of these dances to install in the people here a feeling that it is fun to be here, especially when they do not have to be. We would also like to thank all the masters who helped by supervising and chaperoning. Jod JwUme Following the precident set last year, a drive was held near the end of the first term to send clothing to the people at Fort Providence in the Northwest Terri¬ tories. Day-Boys and weekly boarders were asked to collect unused clothing and to bring it for the col¬ lection. The drive lasted one week and by the end of that week forty-three boxes had been filled for ship¬ ment. As well as the clothing shipment, a large part of the profit of the Winter Carnival was also sent to Fort Providence. We would like to thank the boys who supported the drive, as well as those who organized it and helped with the packing; because it is a most worthwhile project for the school to be involved in. Ciafel Swim Although there is as yet no chapel as such at S.J.R., there are frequent and various chapel services held throughout the school year. On Mondays and Wednesdays in the Upper School a short chapel service is held at 9:00 a.m. On each day of the week except Friday, the Lower School also holds a chapel service in the Assembly Hall. On Fridays the chapel service is a joint service. At these services a hymn is sung, a lesson is read by a boy, and prayers are said. On Sundays, boarders either attend church or a chapel service at the school. These services may vary from short services attended only by full-time boarders and boarding staff, right up to the full scale chapel service of Fathers’ and Sons’ Weekend, the Carol Serv¬ ice, or closing services. During the Sunday services an address or sermon is also part of the service. Mr. Gordon usually speaks; but this year services have also been taken by Father Bauer, Rev. T. Sale, Mr. Kiddell, and Mr. McLeod. Following some of the Sunday chapel services coffee has been served especially when a number of weekly boarders and day boys have attended. Special chapel services are written up elsewhere — but although S.J.R. is officially a non-denominational school — it is not a non-religious school. The chapel services are a very real part of school life. Some day they will be held in a lovely chapel overlooking the Red River. Perhaps it will be a chapel in memory of the founders of the original schools — St.Johns’, and Ravenscourt. 39

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XJU 7)wttm himoud The Dutton Memorial Arena — a 200 x 90 foot hockey rink, complete with dressing rooms, showers, seating for over six hundred people, and an artificial ice plant capable of producing ice in August, is near completion at the school. Backed by M.A. (Red) Dutton, G.M. Bell and J.A. Richardson, the arena is named in honour of Alex and Joe Dutton who were killed while serving with the R.C.A.F. in World War II. Mr. Bell, Mr. Dutton and his sons attended St. John’s, and Mr. Richardson at¬ tended Ravenscourt. The new arena is intended to meet two main ob¬ jectives. The first is to provide facilities at the school which will not be affected by weather, to ensure that the S.J.R. hockey program will be strengthened; sec¬ ondly to provide for Canada’s National Hockey team, a training base of international size which will not be pre-emptied by other events. While the rink is and will remain the property of the school, sharing this facility will in no way interfere with the school’s pro¬ gram, and in some respects may strengthen it. The school’s association with the National Team has already begun, since defenceman Barry MacKenzie is in his second year as a teacher in the school, and goal keeper Ken Broderick joined the staff in September. Billy MacMillan’s wife, Marjorie, teaches grade three. The total cost of the project is approximately $500,000 and it is expected that the ice will be in the arena early in April. Smith, Carter, Searle and associates are responsible for design and Bird Construction Com¬ pany is the general contractor. EXCAVATION SETTING UP THE PILES TEN MILES OF PLASTIC PIPE IN PLACE THE DUTTON MEMORIAL ARENA 38

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tml Sew let The fall term of the 1966-67 school year was climaxed by the presentation of the annual Christmas Carol service on Sunday, December 19. The service was very well attended, parents and friends of the school filling the dining hall and even spilling over into the front hall and the second floor landing. Preparations for this year’s ceremony were in the hands of Mr. Shepard, and included two practices on the Fridays immedi¬ ately preceeding the service. Although the practices were long and arduous, and at times progress came slowly, the resulting effort was a true indication of the patienceand direction of Mr. Shepard. As in previous years, a nine lesson service of the Nativity was presented. The program of the service was as follows: Adeste Fideles — sung by the School and Congregation. First Lesson — God promises Abraham that in his seed shall the earth be blessed.” — read by Mark Milne, a Lower School boy. Once in Royal David’s City — sung by School and Congrega¬ tion. Second Lesson — Isaiah foretells the Birth ofthe Messiah who shall give light unto the world.” — read by Jim Lawson, an Upper School boy. As With Gladness Men of Old — sung by School and Con¬ gregation. Third Lesson — Isaiah foretells the springing up of a branch of the stem of Jesse who shall govern the world. ” — read by a Prefect, David Sprague. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming — sung by the School Choir. Fourth Lesson — Micah promises fame to the little town of Bethlehem.” — read by the School Captain, Mark Jackman. O Little Town of Bethlehem — sung by school and Congrega¬ tion. Fifth Lesson — St. Luke tells how the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary.” — read by Mr. Gordon, the Headmaster. O Holy Night — sung by the School Choir. Sixth Lesson — St. Mathew tells the story of the Birth of Jesus. ” — read by Mr. Kiddell, head of the Lower School. Unto Us a Boy is Born — sung by school and congregation. Seventh Lesson — The angels bring tidings of the Birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the fields.” — read by Mr. Bredin, assistant Headmaster. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks — sung by School and Congregation. Eighth Lesson — Wise men from the east came to Bethlehem.” — read by an old boy of the school. We Three Kings — sung by the School and Congregation. Ninth Lesson — St. John unfoldeth the mystery of the In¬ carnation.” — read by Mr. McMurray, chairman of the Board of Governors. The First Nowell — sung by the School and Congregation. The carol service has been apopular and enjoyable school event in the past, and if this year’s service is any indication of those to follow, the Carol Service will continue its popularity with parents and friends of the school. The service was well presented, and was a most fitting and successful closing of the fall term. School GkoU Numerically this was one of the strongest of the school’s many activities, having almost seventy members, and it was arranged to hold weekly rehearsals of ap¬ proximately one hour. It was, nevertheless, disappoint¬ ing to find that many of the more experienced singers did not volunteer this year. Once rehearsals were on the way, the enthusiasm of some of the upper school members unfortunately waned; other activities demanded the boys’ presence and many was the time when we practised with depleted tenor and bass sections. However, the enthusiasm of a few and the strong vocal support of some staff members, who loyally turned up to every practice, enabled the choir to give one of the best performances at the annual carol service. The choir also sang at the Father and Sons’ Weekend and at the Lower School Open Day. The summer term’s venture is Beaumont’s contrary Folk Mass,” with guitar and rhythm accompaniment, which we hope to perform in June. This is the med iaeval form of mass sung with a modern rhythmical backing; most enjoyable. Next year it is hoped that many of the present mem¬ bers will continue in the choir, because it is only by having this nucleus of experienced singers that a musi¬ cal tradition can be built up, and the choir can play its proper role in the life of the school. Our thanks are due to Mr. Shepherd for beating time” and to Mrs. Barrett, our willing and ever patient accompanist. ' hoajd ojf Govami At the January 9th meeting of the Board of Gover¬ nors, Dr. D.C. McEwen of Calgary, Alberta, and Mr. T.W. Meredith of Winnipeg, were elected to the Board, replacing Mr. G.N. Andison and Dr. G.F. Boult, who have retired. Dr. Boult served on the Board of Ravens- court School prior to its merger with St. John’s and has been a member of the S.J.R. Board since its in¬ ception. His understanding of the school and his in¬ terested support over the years has been invaluable. Mr. Andison has served the Board of S.J.R. since January, 1958 and has been an active member of many committees. In 1964 Mr. Andison served as chairman of the Fund Drive which raised the money for the new classroom building. Dr. Boult and Mr. Andison will continue their association with the school as members of the Honorary Council. 40