Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 10 text:

as Wk, BACK ROW-Daphne Hanson, Shelagh Donegani, Ann Carroll, Joan Davidson, Nora Anne Richards, Martha Travers, Pat Riley, Ina Huehn, Honor Bonnycastle, Pat Benham, Jane Park. FRONT ROW-Carla Gustafson, Judy Carr, Joan Malaher, Jane Gladstone, Judy Patton, Joan Sheppard, Joey Adamson, Ada Rice. Magazine Executive, 1951-52 Chief Edifor ....... ..... ...,............,.,,..,.....,...................... J a ne Gladstone Liferary Ediftory ...... ...,.. C arla Gustafson, judy Patton, joan Sheppard Exvbfznge Edifor ...... ..,...................... ...,,,.,..,...,.......,....... L 0 rna Craig Spam' Edilorr ..,., .... j oey Adamson, Ann jennings, Diana Nanton Art Sfzperzfirorr ,............ ......,..,.,............... I na Huehn, Daphne Hanson Pbologrfzpby Szfpewjror ,,,.. ....................... J oan Malaher Adzferlififzg Mnfzngery ...., ....,............. J udy Carr, Ada Rice Bfzrifzerf Mfzmzgerr .,,,, ....... ......... . . .... J ane Park, Betty May Townsend Magazine Committee Patricia Riley Pat Benham Shelagh Donegani Ann Carroll Glen Murray joan Davidson Nora Anne Richards Martha Travers Honor Bonnycasrle

Page 9 text:

A '-su-.,,, ,: THE PREP ECTS BACK ROW-Judy Carr, Jane Park, Ina Huehn, Pat Riley FRONT ROW-Joey Adamson, Jane Gladstone, Lorna Craig, Cathy Young, Joan Sheppard. Joan Malaher. gin efllilemuriam .fuafzgazet Stove! Mcwiffiama Mrs. McWilliams will long be remembered by Balmoral Hall for her great interest in Riverbend School for Girls and Rupert's Land Girls' School. One of a committee of three in 1929, she played an important part in establishing Riverbend School here in Sir james Aikins' home on these very grounds. Since that time her interest in Riverbend and in Rupert's Land has been a source of great strength. In 1950 when the schools amalgamated and became Balmoral Hall, Mrs. McWilliams despite her numerous duties, continued to give her support as a member of our Ladies' Advisory Board. Her great interest in education and in the preparation of Canada's young people for responsibility was always stimulating. At the Closing Exercises at both Schools for many years, and last june at our first Closing, Mrs, Mcwillianis presented a pin to the girl who showed the greatest qualities of leadership, unselfishness and courtesy. This presentation, always an awe-inspiring moment, was significant of her unfailing interest in youth. Indeed she will long be remembered by all at Balmoral Hall.

Page 11 text:

Uhr gllngal Hiatt The Royal Visit was eagerly anticipated at Balmoral Hall. A competition in the Senior School for the best letter of greeting to the Royal Couple was won by Dawna Duncan, Grade IX, a boarder from Norquay, Saskatchewan. We obtained permission from Ottawa to send this letter to Her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth. It was written by hand on special note-paper bearing the School crest in gold. Imagine the excitement of everyone later on, when a letter was received at the School bearing the post mark of the Royal Train. Our letter had really been received and we are proud to have a most gracious reply, part of which reads as follows: The Princess was so interested to hear about the history of your school and that it has celebrated its first anniversary this year. Her Royal Highness sends her best wishes for many more successful years. A full day's holiday was given in honour of the royal visit. The boarders saw the Princess twice on the city tours, and again at the Command Performance of the Ballet in the evening. 'K Balmoral Hall, October 1951 Your Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth: The Staff and pupils of Balmoral Hall are pleased and greatly honoured to welcome you and the Duke of Edinburgh to Winnipeg. Our city, often called the Gateway to the West, will give you your first glimpse of the prairie with its broad expanse of golden wheat fields and undulating plains. Together with all Canadians who have long awaited this visit, we greet you and hope that you will like our country. We all realize that your programme is Hlled to capacity and that you may not have time to see our school although we are not far from Government House. We are so near to you that from our playing fields, which at this time are aglow with the many- hued colours of Autumn, we are able to catch a glimpse of the golden boy on the dome of the Parliament Buildings. It is a great privilege on our first anniversary to send this greeting to you. Last year our school, opening its gates for the first time, was given the name Balmoral Hall. It was named this in honour of the royal residence, Balmoral Castle. Balmoral Hall, just as the castle, is situated on a river. The river is the meandering Assiniboine whose sloping banks and old trees add a gentle beauty to our grounds. Also in keeping with our Scottish title are our House names - names possibly familiar to your Royal Highness: Braemar House, after the Aberdeenshire town, Ballater after the village, Craig Gowan after the rocky hill, and Glen Gairn after the valley. On our grey tunics we wear our School crest signifying wisdom and power. The motto in the crest is Meliora Petens-Seeking Better Things. This is Balmoral Hall's main purpose for better things are sought in our studies, in our games and in all our activities. It may interest you to know that last year our Head Mistress wrote to Buckingham Palace for permission to use the Balmoral tartan for our school ties. The reply explained that the Balmoral tartan is used exclusively by the Royal Family and we could appreciate this. However, in this letter of explanation His Majesty sent greetings to us and we were delighted to receive such an honour. We were deeply grieved by His Majes'ty's recent illness and we pray for his speedy recovery. Again, welcome to Canada, welcome to Manitoba, welcome to Winnipeg and may you enjoy the remainder of your visit and so carry back to England happy memories of this great country of ours. Yours sincerely, Balmoral Hall