Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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The Voyageur We assert uthat hope not fear is the guiding principle in human aflairsii- We dedicate ourselves to the proposition that goodness, beauty and truth are in the nature of the universe and that, in so far as in us lies, they shall not perish from the earth. That the almost ceaseless alternation of work and play which con- stitutes the life of a boys' residential school has proceeded more or less normally during the past year, the following pages should bear suflicient testimony. The student body has been larger than at any time in the past fifteen years, chiefly due to the rapid increase in the enrolment of the pre- paratory department which now numbers thirty-six pupils in a total of one hundred and twenty-five. The war situation created certain difficulties in maintaining an adequate and efficient staff, all of which were happily sur- mounted. The urgency of the times reflected itself in an increased serious- ness of purpose in all,-staff and students alike. Recognizing, however, our obligation to maintain inviolate the fundamental content of ua good educationn we have endeavoured to provide a rich and balanced programme designed to stimulate the interest and to promote the all round development of students, both old and young, committed to our charge. Hobbies, clubs and special interest groups have flourished, modified in their form and programmes by the nature of the times in which we are living. Sound scholarship has still seemed a worthy end to be achieved, in the final examinations of last June 74? of junior matriculation papers were written successfully, SQQ of senior matriculation, of all senior matriculation papers written 65fZv were passed with first or second class honours. During the year I have endeavoured to maintain a contact with old boys on active service but the large numbers involved have made this a difficult task. Copies of the Centenary Souvenir Programme have, however, been mailed to all, I trust that aThe Voyageurw will reach many and that it will remind them of their own school days and assure them that, at home or in the far corners of the earth, we are still comrades of the heart bound together by the common tie of a udream worthy to be believedn. To all of you,-our greetings and a fervent hope for a speedy and happy termina- tion of your labours. Those others, whom no written word may reach,- who have paid the last full measure of devotion, we remember with affec- tionate pride and gratitude. As usual, this year book will reach students during their summer vaca- tions. To all of them, whether they be younger boys at home, or older students serving as volunteers in camps, on farms or in industry, go my warmest greetings and my thanks at the conclusion of another year. The members of the staff have this year faced new and exacting responsibilities and have discharged them faithfully. To each and to all of them, my fellow-labourers, I desire to express my gratitude for their contributions to the year 1941--42, to those who are leaving Hon active servicev, best wishes 10

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The Voyageur A Personal W ord ILESTONES along a road are important, not so much because they inform a traveller how far he has already gone, but because they advise him of the distance yet to go. Pickering College has, during the current year, passed a significant milestone. It is now one hundred years since the establishment of the 'West Lake Boarding School, later known as The Friends, Seminary of Ontario or Pickering College. During this period the School has had its Hups and downs , its successes and reverses, the chronicle of which appears in the leading article in this year book. A That the school has survived is due, not only to the labours of those who have been responsible for its destinies from time to time, but in large measure to the fact that throughout its history the school has been an expression of the fundamental Quaker faith in the infinite and eternal value of every human soul. This belief in 4'pe1'sons', and their potentialities has always been a dis- tinguishing feature of the Society of Friends, it is a basic tenet in the philosophy of the Knew educationw. But it is not a new educational doc- trine, it has characterized all good education at all places and in all periods of the worldis history. It is essentially a religious faith-no matter in what words it may be expressed. It is a direct outgrowth of the Christian view of human life and destiny. The present clash of titanic world forces seems to have been occasioned by the denial of the validity of this belief--or, perhaps, by manis failure to implement it in all areas of human activity and in all forms of human relationships,-social, political andeconomic. It can only be considered as a tragic necessityl' that the course of human events had rendered inevit- able an appeal to the harsh and cruel arbitrament of war. It is, however, becoming increasingly evident that when the clash of arms is over there will still remain the challenge to mend of intelligence and goodwill to prove that, in the final analysis, right is the only might,--that no peace can be assured unless it is based on justice,-and that no pattern of national or international organization can possess stability unless it recognizes the in- herent worth of human personality and gives scope and dignity to the life of the ucommon mann. Our roll of service indicates that Mold boysn and ex-members of the staff during the last fifteen years are taking their full part in the present grim struggle, it remains for others of us to strengthen and maintain those values, the survival of which can alone justify their sacrifice. It is only these values which justify the past and the continued existence of this school and all other forms of democratic educational effort. As we pass the one hundredth milestone, therefore,- We commit ourselves anew to the future,- We affirm our faith in friendship and fellowship, sympathy, tolerance and co-operation as the only true bases of human relationships,- 9

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The Voyageur for a safe return. I would once again express my appreciation to those others, without whose continuing faith and generosity our work would not he possible, particularly to the Board of Management and its Chairman, Mr. Samuel Rogers, K.C. As another year becomes a part of the history of Pickering College it is my hope that it is not unworthy of those that have gone before and that, in some small measure at least, it may be equally worthy of the future for which we dream and hope and plan. 04. , SAMUEL ROGERS, K.C. Chairman, Board of Management 11