Ruperts Land Girls School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 21 text:

THE EAGLE 19 THE PRINCIPAIHS LETTER My dear Girls: AS we look back over the past year, we see . much that is encouraging. We have watched in admiration the heroic struggle of Russia, we have followed the rise to superiority of our air forces, the tremendous increase in output of our war factories, we have thrilled with wonder at that tremendous engineering feat-the construc- tion of the Alaska Highway-, we have felt the power of the dogged courage of China, and most recently we have rejoiced at the wonder- ful success of the British and American armies in Africa. Our spirits rise and our courage and determination to fight on are increased. Yet even at the same time as our energies are directed towards the achievement of victory in this war, we have in our mind the necessity of thinking beyond that time. At the recent Teachers' Convention held in Winnipeg the key- note of the whole programme was that of re- construction for the future. Guest speakers from - West, East and South, all dealt with this question from different aspects. Dr. Cyril James, Principal of McGill University, stressed the need of planning for Social Security, Dr S. R. Laycock of the University of Saskatche- wan, thought of the need for improvement in our methods of education chieliy from the standpoint- of psychology, while from Minnesota came Dr. Theodore Brameld, em- phasizing the same point of view. And these are just a few of the many men and women whose minds are occupied with these extremely important things. They challenge us all, and we must have these matters in mind too. And I know that you have. Some of the best moments this year have been those when you girls and I have discussed some of these problems, often in class time and also in groups of two or three outside the classroom.. You are thinking and honestly making an effort to prepare yourselves to serve your generation. Some of you are looking forward to going into Social Welfare work, and we are so delighted that a school of Social Service is to be established at our own University of Manitoba. It is my hope that some of you will be working in that school very soon, as soon as you can obtain the necessary qualifica- tions to enter it. The field of Social Service is one which will widen rapidly and which needs well-trained personnel so much. And though many of you will probably be serving in one or other of the Women's Forces until after the war, yet do not forget this other field which will always need workers. I am so glad that the Alumnae Association is preparing an Honour Roll of all our old girls serving in the Navy, Army or Air Force. We are most proud to see how many of our girls are taking their places, as officers or in the ranks, among the women who are doing such fine work. All our best wishes go out to them wherever they may be. And let the rest of us see to it that we do our best to be worthy of the efforts of our men and women of the Armed Forces, and- that we are ready to carry on the work of reconstruction for the future and to face with well-equipped minds the great problems that will be ours when victory is won. V Yours affectionately, ELSIE M. BARTLETT

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RUPERTi,S LAND GIRLS, SCHOOL THE STAFF artlett CPrincipalJ, McMillan, Miss H. Ralston, Miss D. Jackson, Miss E. M. B Iiss A N Front Row: Miss M. Faraday, . IQ E w rn 5 III C5 ri rn rn E ai FE :- 5 0-1 6 wards, Mrs. Ed rs. I. C. Iiss F. B. Sharman, M IV T. Macdonald Mrs. A. D. Stevenson, Mrs. A. C. Derby, L1 Turner, Miss E. Eldred, Miss Back Row Miss S. Gordon, Mrs. R. Fenton, Miss H. B. I-Ierkes. S G. Smith, Miss Bi. Mi s N. Lucas, Miss

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20 RUPERTJS LAND GIRLS' SCHOOL EDITORIAL T? S I write this editorial, I find that my interests'as a student of this school are bound up in several things. This year, as in former ones, the war holds. the stage as one of the most important factors in our every day lives. Daily we expect to hear news of an allied invasion of Europe which must occur before the Nazi War machine can be decisively beaten and crushed. Also this year the gallant stand of our Russian allies, the success of the North African campaign, and progress of the Americans in the Far East are acting as an incentive to give us fresh hope and determination to end the war successfully and build a better world. Sir William Beveridge's plan for social security in which he attacks Want, the root of the attendant evils, squalor, poverty, disease and idleness, opens a vista of hope and change of the utmost national importance. While as yet it has not the sanction of law, the British Parliament has adopted the plan in principle, and it may be 'that it will go down in history in the same category as Magna Carta-a charter not of the nobles this time, ibut of the working-man, the common people. There is also the Marsh plan for Canada, modelled on the Beveridge report, and the American plan for social improvement along similar lines, which shows clearly the extensive realization of the need for domestic reform existing in even the most: progressive countries in the world today. In the meantime, for us who are still concerned wi'th learning and Watch- ing, rather than acting, it opens a new field of speculation, and coincides with the eager expectancy throbbing in many hearts, as this fourth year of war nears its end. Although the upset that war brings is inevitably reflected in our school life-school life continues. Yet both school and outside activities are often more varied, and often conditioned by the war. The United Service Ceiitre which opened in the Eaton's Annex this winter is proving a great success, in fact, its fine canteen and amazing murals have already become famous, but as well as providing a recreational centre for troops, it has incidentally opened the way to better international understanding, by offering to many girls, as hostesses, the opportunity of coming into contact with men from all over the world. Girls who are members of the Airmen's Club are indeed fortunate in meeting airmen from Occupied Europe, Free French, Netherlanders, Czechs, Poles, Norwegians, as well as the many English, New Zealand, and Australian boys, reciprocate our interest in them, by showing a definite gratitude to the members of these clubs who in their small way, act as ambassadors of good-will between the countries. Throughout the school Red Cross efforts have flourished, and the Grade Seven play from Dickens' Christmas Carol was a notable success in raising money for the Aid to Russia Fund. War savings have amounted to about 95850, and these activities, occasioned by the war, have not only raised money, but have also given scope for original ideas, and pleasure in their execution. ' As usual a series of interesting events occurred in the school this year. A Variety Show consisting of miscellaneous acts, provided entertainment for the partakers as well as the audience. Talent was drawn entirely from the girls, who Wrote and pro- duced their own acts. The staff play, The Playgoersf' was the main feature ofthe Variety Show-a reinstitution of an almost forgotten and most popular event. To the girls of the school especially it brought great joy, and I hope it will establish a custom to be observed in future years. ' 3