Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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The Voyageur f H ' , :ix VOL. 16 1943 'PUBLISHED BY THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF PICKERING COLLEGE, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO, CANADA Editorial . LET WELL-PL,4NNED FOUNDATIONS BE LAID. EN SHORT MONTHS AGO a rather green freshman strode up the picturesque drive toward uthe school on the hill . Before mounting the steps at the entrance he paused for a moment to admire the impressive facade of the building which was to be his future home. Varied and confused were the thoughts which raced through his excited brain as he slowly climbed to his destination. Suddenly his attention was attracted to an inscription at the base of one of the huge pillars to his right. He stopped to read its message: Bene Provisa Principia Ponanturi'-uLet the foundations be well and truly laid . If this institution still maintained the ideals of its founders, then indeed had he finally discovered the school of his dreams! He entered the friendly portals to receive the warm welcome which awaited him there. Now, as that freshman reaches the first mile-stone of his journey through Pickering, he again pauses-this time to reflect. Once more those words flash through his mind: f'Bene Provisa . . . w. Every nook and cranny of the old and storied College seem to re-echo those words! Therein, he concludes, is the basic principle of Pickering's programme -the development of the adolescentls complete personality. And it seems to our freshman, as he stands gazing back over the road, that the Headmaster and his staff are engaged in an Hall-out effort to achieve that goal. Per- sonally, he has enjoyed every moment of his first year in this new environ- ment. 4 r He thinks of the direction given to the physical development of the students, the attempt to include every boy in an active, athletic programme, the emphasis on self-control and sportsmanship at all times. Many a letter has he heard his Headmaster read from alumni who have been taught how to play the game on these fields, and who are now fighting to preserve those same ideals for generations yet unborn. It is obvious, however, that Pickering is not interested in raising a crop of mere supermen. Her academic record demands no apology, studious attention is given to the mental development of the adolescent. ln these chaotic and turbulent times, mental discipline is of paramount importance. When 11

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It is my hope that the life and activity of this past school year has, in some small measure at least, contributed to these purposes. The problems we have faced need not be recounted. Suffice it to say that I believe that the record of 1942-43 is not unworthy of the century that preceded it. Our academic record on the June examinations was excellent. On the honour matriculation examinations last year we passed 85 per cent and of all papers written 56 per cent were with first or second class honours. We also suc- ceeded in winning three University Scholarships in open competition. The record of our struggles, uwith friendly foesn, will be found in the following pages, as will also be found some suggestion of the variety of activity that forms part of a school year at Pickering. What is more difficult to record,- the deep conviction, the fine loyalty, the unwearied effort of members of the staff, both old and new, and the enthusiasm and co-operation of the largest student body in the history of the School-can only be hinted at and gratefully and humbly acknowledged. Finally, my thanks must be expressed to the Board of Management and its Chairman, lVlr. Samuel Rogers, K,C., without whose faith, confidence and encouragement, our work would at times have seemed almost too heavy a burden. S - I cannot close without a word of greeting to all our uOld Boysi' and particularly to those on active service. It is impossible to keep in touch with all of you personally, copies of The Voyagear are, however, being mailed to the home addresses of all in the services and l trust that sooner or later this word from your friends Hon the hillw will reach you. To you and to those, your successors, who have more recently left behind them the upillars of Pickeringn, are extended in fullest measure my warmest greetings and affectionate regards. uffomrades bound by memories many, Comrades tried in dangers many, Brothers, ever let as bef, ss. 4:1 10

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The Voyageur our freshman recalls the hours spent pouring over his books, he perceives that those entrusted with his educaton are determined that he shall be well equipped to take his place among the leaders who are to reconstruct a war- weary, enervated and befuddled world. The many opportunities for developing a social consciousness have also made a deep impression upon this newcomer. It is apparent that the staff realize and readily admit that many important features of oneis development are found outside of the classroom. The numerous club activities, the informal gatherings in the Headmasteris house, the Mbull-sessionsw on the corridors, the friendly and fraternal associations between students and staff which form an integral part of life at Pickering, are all directed toward the adolescent's complete development. One further observation has he made, Headmaster J oe and his staff are genuinely concerned with a fourth dimension without which life becomes shallow and meaningless. He recollects the frequent occasions on which he has been urged to ushare the good lifew, to try to see and to appreciate beauty both in the physical and in the spiritual world, and to develop a dis- criminating sense of values. Those chapel services and morning assemblies have made an indelible impression upon his mind and heart. . . . The freshman's period of retrospection is over now as he turns eagerly toward the second lap of his journey. As he tries to visualize the future, he seems to catch a fleeting glimpse of the New Jerusalem, the city four-square, a city in which men are HNo longer half-akin to brute . Would that Aladdinis Magi might appear and grant his fondest wish: that more of his generation might share his privilege of attending a school where young men are not only taught the importance of academic standards, but also the secret of successful living, in order that the time may soon come when there shall be uOne God, one law, one element, And one far-off divine event To which the whole creation movesf' H . . ATQUE VALE HERE ARE MANY OF US who, this year, are joining the ranks of Old Boys. lt is a strange feeling. Pickering ceases to be an active and continually present force in our lives, and becomes a background to our way of think- ing and to our actions. For a few years we will remember Sports Day, Clubs, the Football season. the Glee Club, the Dramatic Production, long Bull sessions, Chapel, and even Classes. But these memories will gradually fade into the mist of our subconscious mind, and only a general impression will remain. This im- pression makes Pickering what it is. It is the ensemble of little events, traditions and institutions which make uthe school on the hilly so different from any other. They cannot be set down in a book of rules, but have to be felt and absorbed. 12