Lord Selkirk School - Maroon and Grey Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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MR. GODIAS BRUNET At the end of June, Mr. Godias Brunet will terminate his teaching career after hav¬ ing spent twenty-seven years in Lord Sel¬ kirk Junior High School as teacher of French. His name is familiar across Canada due to the well-known radio broadcasts of the French Choir of this school in pro¬ grammes of French Folk Songs. This has been an annual occurrence for the past twelve years and these broadcasts have been highly appreciated, not only because the choristers are entirely English speaking children, but also because they have set a splendid example in helping to create mu¬ tual understanding and amity between Canada’s two great races. Mr. Brunet was born in Quebec City on Sept. 30, 1881. As a prelude to his course at Laval University, where he obtained his B.A. degree, he attended schools in Mon¬ treal, Beauharnois and Valleyfield, Quebec. From his early days he was interested in Penmanship and became a well-known ex¬ ponent of this art, winning an award in this work at the Paris Exhibition in 1900. The urge to come west resulted in his migrating to Manitoba in 1908, where he taught a rural school at Haywood for three years. In 1912 he married Alice Jutras of Letellier, Mani¬ toba. They have been blessed with a family of ten children, all living at the present time. From 1911 to 1919 he was a School Inspector during the days of Separate Schools. This was followed by a term at Wesley College, where he was Professor of French in the 2nd Year Arts. In 1920 he was appointed to the Lord Selkirk School, where he has remained until the present time. In 1925, he wrote a book, “Le francais par le conversation,” which, at the request of the late Dr. Daniel McIntyre, was a text used in the Winnipeg Schools for three years. For his sincere interest in French he was made an Officier d’Academie from France in 1929, which was a signal honor. Upon his withdrawal from teaching he plans to do some artistic work in commer¬ cial penmanship and in this venture the teaching fraternity and the students whose lives he has helped to mould, wish him success as well as a long and happy period of well-earned retirement. MR. WALTER HALL In September, 1946, Mr, Walter Ball re¬ tired from active service as engineer of our school. For thirty years he had been em¬ ployed by the Winnipeg School Board, twenty-four of those years having been spent in Lord Selkirk School. During those years nothing was ever too much trouble for him, even though that may have meant arriving at school at 6 a.m. instead of 8 on some cold winter morning. His quiet, kindly interest in all members of our school family, whether teacher or student, and his constant thoughtfulness will not be forgotten. We regretted to see such a faithful helper leave us but we rejoice that he is enjoying a well-earned rest in Vancouver. His home at 848 Nootka overlooks the race track, where he can keep up on what the horses are doing without too much effort. Happy days to you, Mr. Ball. 3tt iHrmortam - iRr. 3- N. iGmng With deep regret we record the untimely passing, on August 27, 1946, of Mr. J. N. Laing, formerly a member of our teaching staff. Valued for his inventive mind and respected for his amiable co-operation with his fellow workers, Mr. Laing, for many years taught in the Industrial Arts Department, where he, because of his delight in skilled workmanship and his excellence in the leadership of boys, made a lasting and praiseworthy contribution to the enrichment of the lives of those about him. Residing in Charleswood, Mr. Laing was an active and highly esteemed member of the church there, and joined with quiet enthusiasm in the life of the community about him. Always a keen lover of nature and an ardent sportsman, he and his many friends enjoyed fishing and hunting while his love of animals and his knowledge of their habits contributed to the outstanding success of his mink ranch. To Mrs. Laing and to Mac. is extended the deep sympathy of the staff, students and former-students of Lord Selkirk School, who miss his cheerfulness and his wholehearted co-operation, knowing full well that as he passed on his way through life, he left undone no good thing that lay in his power to do. • 20

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♦ MUSIC ♦ SCHOOL ORCHESTRA 0 UR MUSICAL year got off to a fine start with sweet strains coming from Room X-17, where, under Miss Thom¬ son’s able direction, boys and girls were learning the art of beautiful singing. Then there was the orchestra, which Miss Neith- ercut organized for the second time, while Mr. Larder gestured from his podium. The orchestra made its official debut at the Tea and Fair. After the last strains died away, Miss Neithercut and Mr. Larder fairly glowed with pride. At the Remembrance Day Service in King Memorial Church, the grade eleven girls gave an expert rendition of “Worship,” by Williams, and “O Lovely Peace” by Han¬ del. Margaret Morrow’s solo, “O Rest in the Lord” will long be remembered by all who attended. The French in us began to “crop up” and, under the able direction of Miss Thomson and Mr. Brunet, a thirty-eight voice French c hoir of grade sevens, eights and nines, broadcasted their annual Christmas pro¬ gramme over C.B.C. Many letters of ap¬ preciation regarding the excellence of the work were received. Miss Thomson, twenty grade ten and eleven girls, and Miss Baskerville prac¬ tised for three solid weeks for a pro¬ gramme of Slavonic Dances,” put on by the Manitoba School Broadcasts. The en¬ semble sang Russian, Polish and Bohemian folk songs—in English, of course. Any curious person who passes Room 17 on Monday during study period will be— tempted?—to take a peek and see what’s going on. A 32-voice Glee Club is singing. The S.A.B. Choir takes over the auditori¬ um during some study periods and strains from “The Admiral’s Broom” are heard throughout the upper hall. They’re practis¬ ing for the Festival. Those seventy-five voices—with seventeen baritones—sound inspiring. The festival results have proved more than ever that, due to the marvellous work of Miss Thomson, Lord Selkirk has become well known for its fine musical achieve¬ ments. The grade eights came first in a class of fourteen with 88 and 88 for their rendition of “Spring’s Return” and “A Legend.” Grade ten made a very good showing with 84 and 86 marks for “Spring Song” and the ever lovely “Mists Before the Sunrise Fly.” Grade eleven girls’ choir not only competed with the above for the Daniel Mc¬ Intyre Trophy but won it for their singing of “Dream Cradle Song” and “Gathering Daffodils.” They had previously received 83 and 90 marks for these songs. Our Glee Club was awarded 90 marks, the winners of this class for their “I Wonder as I Wander.” We’d like to congratulate the individuals that did such splendid work in the solo classes in both piano and singing. Special honours go to Miss Th omson for her excel¬ lent work with the choral groups. We’re proud of you. —Roma Sysak, X-17. • 19

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♦ ART In Midwinter ” —Vera Jennings, VIII-15 No. 2. ■Tiger’’ —Anne Yewusz, Room X-17. Wendy —Edith Close, Rm. X-17. • 21