Royal St Georges College - Georgian Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 8 text:

Ii Illllllifili .., 5 f..--I ,xg cg. 32 e-lvl 'fa-Fwwlg' A History of St. George's College. ln September of 1964, there appeared an article in one of Toronto's evening newspapers covering the opening ofa nevv Independent school for boys. Buried beneath all the current news ,S wx. og, 'tt , 'A 'Q I, A . E ,- ofthe Beatles' first concert in Toronto city, the article meant very little to anyone but the one hun- dred or so people that were involved. 4

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John Bunyan was a great word painter. He gave to the world the greatest word picture gallery found in literature with the exception of the Bible. In his Pilgrim's Progress he paints for us the picture of a Christian with a great load on his back, trying to climb the hill Difficulty. The pilgrim does not hesitate, make excuses, grumble or turn back but cheerfully presses onward. As he approaches the House Beautiful, at a very narrow part of the road, he suddenly sees two lions in the way, one on each side, crouching as if to spring upon him. Just at the critical moment he heats the encouraging call of the porter of the House Beautiful: Fear not, the lions are chained. There are three lessons for us here. First, the life of every schoolboy has its hills, its loads, its hard problems. It is often charged with difficulties and disappointments as represented by the lions, the load and the hill. This is the first lesson. No boy can escape the fact that some of his days at school are cloudy. The second lesson is just as important. The House Beautiful represents the reward that will be his if he conquers the Hill Difficulty. Rest and reward naturally follow, rather than precede struggle and effort. The third lesson is equally important. The encouraging call that the lions are chained , coming to Christian at the crucial moment indicates the value of a word of encouragement at the proper time. No period of life is free from difficulties, but youth is the special time of preparation for this struggle that is sure to come. At school we try to develop the strength of body, the discipline of mind and the formation of character that will enable us to fight our battles and enable us to overcome our difficulties. As you spend your days in this school, always remember that difficulties can be overcome and that most hills can be climbed. lt is effort and effort alone that educates. The extent of that effort lies in your hands. 3

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The buildings were old, the facilities were small, but there was something new and intriguing about the entire idea. Everything was a new challenge. Everyone was aware that he was making history. School spirit was high and thus St. George's College took up its task ans began marching ahead. To-day, five years later, a great many things have changed. Mr. John Bradley, Assistant Headmaster and the college's music director created one of the best boys' choirs this country has ever heard. ln our second year, he took his choir across Canada and St. George's College became known throughout the nation. A new wing was built in the weatherqworn foundations of the un- completed cathedral of St. Alban the Martyr. The enrolment increased year by year and a waiting list almost as large. New equipment for every department began pouring in and soon the college had the best of everything necessary to a good education. Our first Grade Xlll class will graduate this year. With many of them will go the memories of those first few months and the reassuring knowledge of a good education. lf our past is any indication of the success of our college, then we can happily look forward to the next five years. Within the ivy-covered walls, the victorian woodwork and the modern in' teriors, there is something of which we can always be proud ......... our past! 5