Blumenhof High School - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Blumenort, Manitoba Canada)

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BEN B. DUECK Teaches Grades IX to XI Received his elementary educa¬ tion in Kleefeld, and high school in Steinbach. He attended the Manitoba Provincial Normal Shool. Is now working toward his B.A. Dear Students, Parents, and Friends: When a school year, such as the present, is drawing to a close, we like to pause briefly to evaluate past achievements and to consider future possibilities. Last August, our school was faced with a unique situation. For the first time, we had enough high school students enrolled to open a separate classroom for them. Nineteen brave, enthusiastic young souls, together with their teacher, embarked on a new venture. Could we do it? We thought we could, and, despite obstacles such as blocked roads, Model “A” troubles, and moving into temporary trailer quarters, the time passed surprisingly quickly. Alge¬ bra, Geometry, and Social Studies reluc¬ tantly yielded some of their mysteries to minds determined to learn. Lessons in practical citizenship and fair play were assimilated on the playground during inter¬ missions. There was food for the soul in our morning devotions and in the religious period during the last half-hour of the Principal ' s Message day. Even in the face of mountainous stacks of homework, the cheerful spirit of camaraderie and friendly optimism pre¬ vailed. It was a joy and a challenge to teach such a fine group of young people. My shortcomings and faulty techniques they graciously overlooked. For this sincere co¬ operation, I want to say, with all my heart, “Thank you, Blumenhof High!” To the graduating class, I would extend my congratulations. As you go out into the world of business, or into teaching, nurs¬ ing, farming, or other chosen profession, you will have an opportunity to draw upon the fund of learning you have accumulated. You will also find that, for certain situa¬ tions, more knowledge and experience are required. The learning process is a con¬ tinuing one, and only ends at the close of life itself. Take with you into your future calling the sincerity, vigor, honesty, and cheerfulness you have shown in school dur¬ ing the year. Above all, never be ashamed to admit that your talents are God-given, and that He deserves the honour for what¬ ever you accomplish. The students who remain to continue their studies in our school next year, and the new ones who will come in have the pleasant task of upholding the fine ex¬ ample set by the 1955-56 class. We know you will be able to profit from the associations you have had with your graduating classmates. May ultimate suc¬ cess reward your future efforts. To the teachers and pupils of the primary and elementary grades, I would like to say how much we o f the High School have enjoyed and treasured your friendly and loyal co-operation. The foundation you lay in these developmental years will deter¬ mine the quality and calibre of the high Continued on page 18 6

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THE SCHOOL BOARD C. K. UNGER Chairman

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Teacher ' s Report from ROOM TWO In Room Two is a crowd of curious people. The pupils do not mind straining their necks to see what is going on beyond the bounds of the windows even if what is passing by is only an aimless dog. We would not want them to be otherwise. Can you imagine a roomful of individuals with¬ out curiosity ? If it were absent there would be little urge to find what is within the covers of a book or what the answers are to problems. A dictionary gives the meaning for curiosity as follows, “being careful or anxious to learn.” This characteristic we find in a child as early as babyhood. His first method of learning is by way of the mouth. He wants to taste everything; a little later touch all things and rummage through drawers. Soon he takes a great interest in words, repeating them often till he has mastered the pronunciation. He becomes greatly interested in what his par¬ ents are doing and then goes and imitates them. It is amazing how fascinated the child becomes by stories told him even as early as age two. Lucky is the child whose par¬ ents make an effort to satisfy this curiosity. The telling of stories is an excel¬ lent medium to teach the child how to live. These privileged children learn to read naturally and with the least effort. The child, during the ages five to seven, is particularly noted for the numerous questions he asks. He might come up in all seriousness with such questions as, “Why does a black cow give white milk?” If he has been properly trained he ' will feel urged to ask questions about God. Later a curiosity about his fellow beings leads to the gang age. Here they gather in groups and each one has his particular place in it. They follow their leaders. At this stage, too, they are hero worshippers PETER HI EBERT Grades IV to VIII and are curious to know all about the objects of their special regard. His dad often is the first of his heroes and certainly Bible characters should be in the roll of his heroes. During junior high period they begin to be interested about reasons why things are the way they are. They imagine for themselves a perfect world and therefore become highly critical of anything that does not measure up. That is why they even become critical of their parents. Now is the time when they begin to realize how far short they themselves measure up to the ideal and consequently of their need for conversion. Let us as parents and teachers, seek to take advantage of the natural curiosity of the child to help him to learn to live so that in time he might be able to become, according to Ephesians 4:13 “. . . a perfect (mature) man, unto the measures of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” 7