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

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the same. Feeding on some moss was a magni- ficent stag, not more than ten yards away. As yet he was unaware of their presence. Peter gasped in sheer admiration of the proud ani- mal. The stag's body was lithe and muscular, with its antlers crowning its head majestic- ally. At his father's signal to shoot, Peter cocked the gun and aimed it. Suddenly the animal looked up, with a frightened, puzzled expression in its gentle eyes. For a moment Peter hesitated, but he had lived this moment so often in his dreams that the next step was automatic. The shot rang and echoed in the deserted woods. The stag dropped to the ground. Staring blank-ly at the dead animal, Peter stood, .paralyzed. He was completely void of emotion or sense. Hfis father rushed over to examine the kill. Good shot, son! Got him right through the heart. I'm proud of you! he said. How- ever, his father'-s praise only made him realize more acutely the horror of what he had done. It was his fault that that magnifi- cent, innocent creature lay motionless on the ground. With one thoughtless impulse he had stilled its heart for ever. Lucifer! What are you staring at? de- manded his father impatiently. Don't tell me you're squeamiish at the sight of a little blood! Unaible to bear the presence of the thing he had destroyed, Peter dropped the gun and ran. SHELLEY MITCHELL -- Form III My Magic Vase Last night, when all had gone to sleep, I to my magic vase did creep, Softly, silently, And there behold it all aglow, Then gently rubbed it to and fro. Genie appeared right at my side, Where shall we go tonight? she cried, Pausing pensively. Without a word my thoughts she knew And back to the days of yore we flew. There were Robin Hood and his men, Chasing the sheriff through the glen, Riding rapidly. With utter glee I joined the band, Feeling the glory of the land. All too quickly the time had fled, And there I was back in my bed, Dreaming drowsily Of my wonderful nightly flights, Stirring adventures, dazzling sights. DIANA MAJURY - Form III A Carefree Follrsinger A singer who sings Of ballads and creeds Under a roof, under some trees - With confident ease She sings to please The youth at her feet. With hair misty black And guitar in her lap, She urges her listeners to clap, Cares are released And the clappings increase With the stirring beat. PAMELA DANGERFIELD - Form III - ., .?, z, Kg da I kin-0.51 our hooseagnogiasggoww re 15 db'-Hn here. Semcwlncxet rs Ai w Q Q K Oo EX go Tl-LE BLx2.zmQ:D OF 'Gb ggi K. NEILSON BY THE SEASIDE I-t was before dawn on a Saturday morn- ing. The sea was stretched out for miles. The calm blue water was covered by a thin mist. The first rays of sunlight were beginning to show over the treetops. There was not a single person in sight. The beach was quiet and still. As the sun cilmbed higher, the sand was struck by the warm, glowing sunbeams. There was not a cloud in the sky as far as the eye could see. A lone sea-gull glided over the waters, occasionally swooping down. Then the tide began to come in. The waves came up farther and farther onto the shore. The first few people appeared on the beach. Coloured umlbrellas went up. The waves crashed against the shore. The chil- dren ran out to greet them and were hurled back onto the sand. Farther out, baskets were opened, towels spread out, and surf- -boards propped up in the sand. Overhead, the gulls could be heard screeching. The chatter of voices from along the beach, and shrieks of delight from children splashing and play- ing in the water were heard. Sails were rig- ged up and sand castles were built. There was excitement in every direction. Everyone was in the best of spirits. SARAH EVERETT - Form II .Yixzetrr u

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Do you mind if I join you? he asked earnestly. Of course not, she replied. They walked together for a while, each thinking about different things. I certainly hope Mr. Grenville is in a good mood today, said Miss Valour after a long silence. Mr. Grenville was the manager. He was a large man and loved to talk, especi- ally about himself. He loved to tell others how he had worked himself to the top. Suddenly a car came to an abrupt halt by the curb, spraying Mr. Hodges with water. Would you like a lift? Mr. Grenville asked Miss Valour, coldly ignoring Mr. Hodges. No, thank you, Mr. Grenville, replied Miss Valour pleasantly. Mr. Grenville's face flushed with irritation and his manner became menacing. Are you sure? he said, and opened the car door. Mr. Hodge's face became pale as he waited. Yes, thanksg we prefer to walk, he heard Miss Valour say. Mr. Grenville eyed the two, shut the car door noisily, and drove off. Mr. Hodges though to himself, She did not want a ride, even though it is raining! He looked at her and they both smiled. At that moment it seemed that the rain stopped, the fog lifted, and a bird began to sing. ANN TOWNSEND - Form III Spiders These are my friends, these spindly spiders, Eminent enemies, excellent hiders, Is it they who of pests my bedroom do rid. These silent stalkers, I watched where they hid. In wispy webs where ants are threshing, And floundering flies are caught in the meshing, This fly-catching friend is feeding the birds. In cocoons of silk his dinner he girds. With treacherous teeth sunk deep into flesh, The deep scarlet blood on their limbs is fresh. They waste not their time when waiting to kill, I watched every scene from my window sill. In cobwebby corners where hide the small fishers I seem to be their only well-wishers, For if mopping maids walk into a thread Of unseen stickiness-Swish! The spider is dead. ELIZABETH HAWORTH - Form I Eighteen YOUNG HUNTER Well, Peter, would you like to go? his father inquired absently. Do you really mean it, Dad? Peter cried eagerly. I certainly do, his father said. I think fourteen is old enough to go on a hunting trip. With the discussion ended, Mr. Martin settled -back into his deep, comfortable chair. The curls of smoke from his pipe almost looked as if they were being inhaled 'by the mounted grizzly bear head above A moose and several deer heads with magnifi- cent, antlers were hanging on either side of the huge trophy. A skilled taxidermi-st had prepared them, and their life-like counten- ances gave the room an eerie atmosphere. Peter, returning to his book, On Safari, was lying stretched out on the rug -in front of the fire. The flames crackled merrily on the hearth, casting a red glow on his intent face. His attention was drawn to the swirling mass of flame, and as he gazed into it, his imagina- tion took possession of him. He saw himself on the African veldt, aiming a large elephant gun at a crouching tiger. His finger squeezed the trigger, the huge beast dropped, and he was lifted on to the shoulders of a grateful tribe. In the next few days Peter's brain teemed with plans for the trip. After much deliber- ation he chose a place to hang the head of the deer he was going to shoot. He was deter- mined to have as many trophies to be proud of as his father had. A deer or two th-is season . . . perhaps a grizzly when he became more experienced. That would certainly give him a good start. Already he could visualize the plaques mounted on the wall! To his sur- prise and delight, his father presented him with a gun of his own. Faithfully every morn- ing he went out to practise. How absolutely mortifying it would be if he missed the game on the trip! Peter was sure his father would never again take him along if he made a blunder like that! The day of the trip dawned clear and cold in the November sky. The trees, bared of their leaves, stood stark and grey. Peter and his father, loaded with equipment, set off into the woods. The snapping of twigs and crunch- ing of leaves broke the stilhiess of the forest as they trudged on their way. Then, approach- ing deer country, they became more cautious, and spoke only in whispers. p One morning, while they were stalking the woods searching for deer tracks, Mr. Martin stopped suddenly, motioning to Peter to do

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IMPRESSIONS of CHRISTMAS at SCHOOL by a new boarder The Christmas spirit arrives early at Bal- moral Hall. As soon as examinations are over early in December an air of excitement seems to set in. A flurry of decorations, travel ar- rangements, carol service practices, all seem to be part of this Christmas spirit. Commit- tees decorate the gymnasium with trees and the library with nativity pictures and Christ- mas books. Even the ha-lls and corridors seem to catch the Spirit of the Season. Wrapping paper, gifts, surprise and whis- pered secrets all become a part of the res- idence. The high moment was our boarders' Christmas dinner. In our most festive dresses we greeted the staff and some of the senior day girls in Aikins House. Escorted by senior girls and followed closely by Junior escorts the staff were taken to the dining-room. A festive air was created by candlelight, party-crackers, special gum- drop trees and the lighted Christmas trees. It was a big family Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, end-of-term excitement and happy feelings of soon going home. Dinner was followed by the exchang- ing of gifts from the decorated tree in the common room. Gifts - Christmas cake -- punch and lots of singing concluded the happy event. Even though the choir practised regularly throughout the term, there were many extra concentrated movements of hard work as the time for the Christmas Carol Service approached. Readers, Actors and choristers were all busy in both Junior and Senior School preparing for this Service. But it is all so worth while, so special and such a good end to my first term. That evening we left by bus, plane, train and car for our res-peotive homes taking with us happy mem- ories of Christmas at Balmoral Hall. JANET JACKSON - Form VI FORM III VISITS A DAY NURSERY In the spring term Form III visited the Broadway Day Nursery. This nursery, which is partly su-pported by the United Way, is where many mothers lbring their children to ibe looked after while they work. Here we saw the children at play, at lunch, during their rest, and for their story. Play is very important to children, because it is their work. It teaches them to get along with each other, helps them to learn, and gives them a chance to show their feelings. At the nursery the toys were chosen to give Twenty the children pleasure, and to develop them physically, mentally, and socially. The chil- dren we saw were happily playing together, and with the aid of the staff they were able to draw full -benefits from the toys and their group -play. Before lunch, the children spent a quiet halfJhour listening to stories. The stories were simfple, but they all taught the children something. On the whole, the children were quiet and attentive, ibut a few showed distraction from our presence. The teacher read in a quiet, expressive voice, showing the children the pictures, and allowing them to make comments on the story. We were fortunate enough to see the chil- dren at their lunch. They were divided into small groups, each group sitting at a table with a teacher to serve and help. Here the children are taught good manners, and by a gradual process they learn to like each meal they are served. After lunch each child was given a vita-min. This nursery is concerned for t-he care of each individual child, not only t-he group. The staff were firm, kind, and loving, giving the children a feeling of 'being wanted, and of security. Many problem lchlildren have been sent to this nursery, and we were told of the marvellous changes the staff have been amble to make in them. Those who were once wild and rebellious are becoming calm and loving and those who were shy and withdrawn now make friends. This was an excelleont opportunity for Form III to learn something quite new. SPECIAI PERFORMANCE On Tuesday, February 8th, Forms IV and V attended a special performance by four members of the Manitoba Theatre Centre at St. Maryis Academy. The programme was opened and closed with selections from, As You Lit It . Christ Climbed Down by Law- rence Terlenghetti was a satire on how very commercialized Christmas has become. The opening scene from Ionesco's The Bald Soprano was an ironical interpretation of the problem of communication between an English couple. The Congo by Rachel Lindsay was presented in an oral dance and was followed by Robert Frost's, Death of the Hired Man . The selection of Scene Il Act II of King Henry Il on the clever courtship of Catherine by Henry and his adroit playing on words, provided much amusement for the audience. We look forward to a similar op- portunity next year.