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

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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.

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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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CUPID CAPERS Cuipids, heart and candles transformed the dining-room of Dalton House into a place of stately elegance, an appropriate setting for the Cupid Capers banquet. Following dinner, coffee was served in Aikins House. Everyone then proceeded to the gymna- sium where a cascade of red and white streamers and hearts and cupids greeted the dancers. Reign-ing over the festivities was a golden cupid, who did h-is work throughout the eve- ning, as his arrows appeared to hit many a target. CATHERINE VIVIAN DANCE PREPARA TIONS The great success of Cupid Capers was due to the careful planning and thoughful preparation on the part of a few girls. Mary Bruce, the Convener, co-ordinated the work involved in the making of wall decorationsg she also m-ade artistic use of Sheryl Noonan's Cupid. Cathi Bell displayed great ingenuity in decorating t-he diining-roomg as Miss Mur- rell-Wright said, It has never been so beau- tiful . All those who contributed so tangibly to the success of Cupid Capers are to be congratulated. SUSAN CRAMP INI TIA T ION Initiation 1965 was a very eventful night for old girls as well as new. The prepara- tions for Spectaculum Romanum' included activities wfhich varied from furniture-moving to popcorn popping, but once begun, not even a flood of mustard could stop the fun. The evening of entertainment began in the Colosseum with many skill-testing games, ranging from the shot-put to a chariot race. Roman table manners were demonstrated and all the latest medical techniquesiwere ex- hibited in Surgery-a-go-go. After the games were completed, it was unanimously decided to accept the captives as Roman citizens. We then moved up the Appian Way to the United Way in the Forum. Stalls run by each House tempted guests to participate in various money-making but interest-ing activ- ities. Returning to the Colosseum, the prae fectae presented a fairly tale called Album Nix which thoroughly delighted everyone. Any similarity to any other fairy tale is purely accidental! Who could ever forget the cackle of the witch, and the efforts of Latin oration. A hearty sing-song brought to a close a very worthwhile evening in which we raised 5169.58 for the United Way, enlisted some new citizens, and enjoyed a lovely evening back in Roman days. SUSAN BRACKEN Twrwzty mu'