Bowmanville High School - Screech Owl Yearbook (Bowmanville, Ontario Canada)

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THE SCREECH OWL, during war years, was not a book, but a column in the Statesman, with various editors, two being Audrey Venton and Mary Alldread. Reports of form parties, form programs Calways interesting? 'At Homes', athletic events, oratorical contests and educational films and speakers were included. Some assistants were: Pearl Breslin, Glenn Hodgson, Norma Piper, Joan Greenfield, Bill Rundle, Greg Friend, Haines Bellman, Mary Paterson and Harry Snowden. Miss D. Jeffery Cnow Mrs. G. Linton? writes from England of her years at B.H.S. It is in the Autumn -the Fall - that my heart returns to Canada. My memory of Bowmanville in Sep- tember 1939 was the scent of homemade pickles through screen doors or of Sunday morning walks past the railway station down to the lake shore. My memory of the High School is of a red brick building, shaded by trees on the street side. Herb Moyse showed me over the building. I remember that from the Art Room on the second floor I could watch the passenger trains snaking to a halt at the station. I remem- ber the staff meetings in the small, dark library tsomeone in the town always made us a delicious chocolate cake.J But, perhaps most of all, I remember the long evenings of rehearsal for the plays presented at the Annual Com- mencement, JUNE MAD, in particular, I recall. Francis Sutton conducted the music with recognized talent. Each phase of life through which we pass bestows its legacy upon us. What is the legacy which five years in Bowmanville High School bequeathed to me? I prize very highly my association and com- panionship with the pupils. I cherish which also the great kindness of the people of Bowman- ville. These are things which neither time nor distance can eradicate, they continue to live, warm within the heart. Mrs. Linton is now retired and living in Devon, England. In the entertainment field, many plays, both dramatic and musical were staged. Some of these were June Mad , Monkey's Paw , directed by L. Carr, In Old Vienna 1944, directed by Mr. Workman, Trial by Jury , The Boor 1948 and Pirates of Penzance 1949. Two well-known orchestras who played at B.H.S. were Mart Kenny, Toronto, for a special dance, and Boyd Valleau, Oshawa, for the At Homes. Form parties were held with the students going tobogganing at Munday's Hill, skating or bowling, and going back to the school for lunch. The dancing of the '40's was varied. Students danced together for the slower numbers and apart for the jitterbug or jive numbers. For a brief period, a juke box was installed at the back of the auditorium for dancing at noon and after school. Records were used most of the time for school dances. Such bands as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman were popular as well as singers Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Vaughn Monroe, Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Ella Fitzgerald - some still known today. One form program had a skit that was a take-off of Spike Jones and his band. About 1945-'46 Miss H. Rice organized noon hour hot lunches for over 70 pupils from the district. The cost was 50? a week. According to the account from the Statesman, 20 cans of soup a day were used. Pupils were required to take turns preparing and ladling up. Two from each room were chosen to help Miss Rice set up this much appreciated service. Supplies were purchased wholesale. During the war, students with good grades, who wanted to work at Farmerette camps and for district farmers, were excused, from writing the last set of exams. One fall, school closed for 2 weeks as students helped harvest the apple crop. STUDENT MEMORIES In 1940 a girls' Company of Cadets was for- med and Helen Osborne CMrs. Hammond? writes that Cadet Inspection sticks in her mind. Polishing the brass buttons and starching the jackets and the long hours at inspection when girls land even the odd boy? fainted. I remem- ber how proud I was when my picture was taken in uniform. I think if there was some of it in the schools today, it would be a good thing we HAD to wear a uniform, look after it, do all the marching and drill work and stand up straight with eyes forward. You don't forget it either.

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STAFF Quite a number of teachers who joined the Staff in the '40's made important contributions to the school and community. Mr. G.R. Elliott C1940-'67J took over the History Department in 1941 and began the teaching of Guidance in the school Ccalled Occupations in its beginning in '45l. Guidance counselling finally took all his time as the school and district expanded. At his retirement in '67 he received a special award from the Board for his long service. Mr. F.M. Gardiner C1940-'73 made his con- tribution to the Commercial Department, followed by Miss G.I. Murray C1948-'53J. Mr. O. VanSickle C1940-'29 Mathematics, went off to war and was followed by Miss Hilda Rice C1942- '54l. In the Classics Department, two men, Mr. W. Carpenter C1940-'29 and Mr. A.C. Anderson C1942-'99 and a lady, Miss M.A. Bell C1949-'53l taught before Mr. R. Sheridan made it his possession. Mr. G.B. Goulding 41941-'49 made his mark in P.T. and coaching followed by Mr. E.G. Witherspoon C1945-'79 who went from P.T. and Geography to be principal at Orono Con- tinuation School, later Clarke High School. Another long-term teacher of the '40's was Mr. W.M. Stacey C1944-'69l who in his day taught a little of everything Cincluding pen- manship for which he was eminently qualifiedl but whose main field was Science and Agriculture. In 1960-'1 he was principal of Cour- tice Snift and continued as vice-principal of B.H.S. 1961-'4. He also received a Board award on his retirement. Mrs. Lewis tMiss Vanstonel returned to the school in 1944, teaching some P.T. but mainly Science and Math. until her retirement in 1967. She also worked in the Guidance Department in her last years. She, too, was a recipient of the Board long service award. In 1945, Miss L.M. Carr came to teach French, German and Art and stayed until 1951 when Miss E.M. Laycock headed the Moderns Department until 1969 - also receiving an award on retirement. Miss E.J. Cunningham flater Mrs. R.W. Sheridanl headed the English Department from 1947 to 1957, directing the plays or those years and reviving the Screech Owl in 1949. Musical direction was under Mr. W.E.C. Workman C1941-'79 and then under Mr. G. Harle C1947-'51l, still only part time work. When Mr. Peters joined the Staff C1951-'68l, he taught English and History as well as Music which became a school credit with the addition in the 1955's. He organized the first big band. Under Mr. J. Ross C1948-'57J P.T. became Health and Physical Education. He and Mr. Witherspoon contributed to the fun and games about the school with wit and good nature. Mr. Ross went on to become school Principal, In- spector, and finally Director of E.T.V. for On- tario. Student Activities Athletics An award system began in the '40's with tabs and letters given. A student could win an athletic A, a dramatic D and scholastic S, finally building to a school crest. . During the war years, track and field meets were cancelled. In 1946 they were started again with these students as early champions: Gregory Friend, Bill Dadson, John Cattran,l Vivian Rowe, Joan Greenfield, Jane Majerrison and Rhona Evans. Boys' basketball championship teams of 1946- '47 included: Stewart Ferguson, Gerold Morris, Tom DeGeer, Bill Rundle, Jim Paterson, Morice Tamblyn, 'Charles Disley, Duncan Philips - Mr. E. Witherspoon, Coach, John Cat- tran, Paul Lindblad, Frank Hooper, Jack Mun- day and Bill Harnden. Senior girls' - Mrs. A. Lewis, Coach, Jackie Heyland, Joan Greenfield, Betty Hooper, Pat Bowles, Doris Buttery, Marjorie Rundle, Miss H. Rice, Manager, Betty Clayton, Dorothy Win- ter, Fay Fry, Dorothy Evans, Mildred Wilson. Junior girls' - Norma Piper, Doris Chartran, Barbara Lyle, Shirley Moore, Joyce Cox, Peggy Dippell, Jane Majerrison, Lois Fisher, Lorna Sudds, Vivian Prout, Pearl Breslin, Stella Bonk. There were also table tennis tournaments held with the school buying one table and another was loaned. Eric Mcllveen seemed to excel in this. Inter-form basketball games were started again after the war.

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Ross Metcalf remembers his stint in the Bugle Band. Rifle drill is remembered by many - in the Old Armouries Ci.e. Badminton Hall used during the war.? I tried out for football, but the others mistook me for the ball most of the time. He also writes: The one factor that stands out in my mind is the comradeship, togetherness, everyone knowing each other, all rejoicing in our accomplishments and sym- pathizing with us in our set backs. The staff was interested in all students, practically knowing each one by name. He remembers being pianist for the Literary Society for two years and playing for the orchestra in opening exercises and special occasions. Ross has achieved enviable recognition as a concert singer, church soloist, organist, choir master, music teacher, supervisor, consultant for N. and D. C.B. of E., adjudicator and clinician. Music is his hobby as well as his career. Wit and good nature is his trademark. fir Ik ik 41 Ik Sk Mr. Witherspoon going to the phone one day and coming back to the class and saying 'It's a girl, take the rest of the period off! Mrs. Lewis patiently spending hours trying to teach gymnastics and dance routines for commencement Cme with two left feet?. June Bickle CMrs. P.B. Cooke? ik fl' wk wk ik lk Mr. Dippell is always remembered and for a variety of reasons such as the moment when you would look up at the classroom door and there he stood. Where did he come from? He never spoke a word, you could hear a pin drop. Helen Osborne tMrs. Hammond? lk 44 ak lk 'll if Discipline was strict, but we respected it and felt admiration for it. Wilma Richards CMrs. R. Coombes? swarms Marilyn Rundle CCoty? remembers cooking bacon and eggs for her brother, Bill, and her- self on the old stove between the two lun- chrooms. Someone had put a can of beans in the oven to warm, without first punching a hole. As she was lifting her dinner, the can blew up, throwing the oven door against her, pushing her back into the lunchroom and covering her from head to foot with beans, bacon and eggs. As she stood there dripping, Mr. Dippell ap- peared and said, with a sly grin Is there anything wrong, Miss Rundle? ness-sae: Mr. Anderson and Pearl Breslin thought of something at the same time. Mr. A. said Great minds think alike and Pearl replied, as quick as a flash, and fools seldom differ which surprised Mr. Anderson. Mary Alldread CMrs. L. Justice? if JK lk 42 Ik Ill Bev Goulding was our Form teacher in Grade 9. He also coached our championship basketball team in 1941-'42 when we won Junior C.O.S.S.A. at Albert College, Belleville. Wei stayed at the College for the weekend. We, played two games and won them both. Rael Rundle ik 41 Sk all ik 41 Mr. Anderson, in Latin class, engaging in arguments with Al Stike, Richard Bowles, Carl Boe and Bob Stevens which often took up much of the period to the satisfaction of the class. Sometimes it was a heated debate and sometimes funny. Doris Alldread CMrs. Jq Welsh? also remembers that during the war and afterwards the girls received training by Red Cross nurses in home nursing and in knit- ting scarves for the servicemen. In 1945 the Lion's Club gave a prize in home nursing won by A. Venton and J. Caverly. ak ik ik lk 'lf 4' Jackie Heyland iMoir? writes from France Cwhere she, her husband and family are living for a year? about four teachers she remem- bers: Miss LENNOX 11941-'43? - the French. and German teacher who always walked so straight and tall and who now, with her? husband, is a personal friend, Miss RICE - the Math. teacher who always expected homework to be done and for whom it always was done, Mr. ELLIOTT - the History teacher whose favorite answer to any question was look it up , Miss JEFFERY - The English teacher whose eyes were extremely blue and her teeth extremely white, which showed in her smile, and who always walked as though she had just come off a ship.