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

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A y - y , regretfully, to the twenty-second Head 16 RUPERT'S LAND GIRLS' SCHOOL S we are now about to sa good b e Girl in the history of the School, it seems a good moment for considering briefly that long line of Head Girls, of which Amy Best has been so worthy a member. The whole trend of the School during the last quarter century has been towards self-government - necessarily something to be achieved gradually, rather than by sud- den change. Those who a-re interested in autonomy, and aware of its dangers and potentialities, can see in the prefect system of the School proof of its sound develop- ment in the realization by these girl leaders that power means responsibility, the dis- covery and maintenance of personal stand- ards of honour ,and most of all, living lives that contribute to the welfare and happiness of the community as a whole. Gone are the days when individual pro- gress in work or sports was considered an end in itself. Isolationism can be as real a danger in the little world of the school as in the great world of nationsg life that is lived in the spirit of fellowship is a life of sharing. I cannot write with any personal know- ledge of the school careers of the first . H - ..- seven Head Girls. I know that they were 'worthy pioneers. But I have known through AMY BEST personal daily contact the last fifteen, and of them I can say sincerely that each, in a spirit of discovery, has built upon the progress in leadership made by her predecessors, endeavouring to make her position more truly significant in the life of the School. . ' Rupert's Land School was founded, as most of us know, in 1901, but not until 1923 was the machinery of Head Girl and Prefects established. This ran side by side with the House System, founded in 1929, until in 1941 the two channels of self-govern- ment were fused: the twelve prefects are now elected from the four Houses and placed, with ths Sports Captain, under the leadership of the Head Girl. For the interest of readers of this Year Book-Old Gfirls who will recognize their friends in the list that follows, present girls for whom some of these dates represent a shadowy epoch before they were born, and friends of the School who recognize it as the training ground of future citizens, this list has been compiled: Past Head Girls of the School 1923-1924-Katherine Middleton 1934-1935-Mary Kate Florance 1924-1925-Ruth Tucker 1935-1936-Sheila O'Grady 1925-1926-Margaret Carey 1936-1937-Margaret Martin ' 1926-1927-Marjorie Hoskin 1937-1938-Beverley McVicar 1927-1928-Isobel Magill 1938-1939-Jocelyn Richardson 1928-1929-Muriel Wright 1939-1940-Leslie Florance 1929-1930-Jocelyn Botterell 1940-1941-Monica Mackersey 1930-1931-Mary Lile Love 1941-1942-Kathryn Milner ' 1931-1932-Jean Wells 1942-1943-Anne Cunningham 1932-1933-Katherine Saunders 1943-1944--Gertrude Elancl 1933-1934-Joan Watsoii 1944-1945--Amy Best And now we come to our present Head Girl, Amy Best, who has herself known twelve on that list, for she entered Kindergarten in 1933. Her scholastic record is an enviable one, for she has almost invariably headed her grade-though there was an

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THE EAGLE 15 Mau BaufZetz 4 .fezfiea MY DEAR GIRLS : S I write this letter, we are all looking for the announcement at almost any moment that the war in Europe is over, and that makes it quite difficult to keep anything else in mind or to settle down to ordinary, clear thinking about either the present or the future. It is very hard to imagine just how We shall feel when that great moment comes. After almost six years of war, in which we have witnessed so many terrible things, the relief at the cessation of hostilities even in one field will be very great: and our joy and thankfulness will be natural and fitting. But I am sure that every one of us realizes that there is much yet to be done. Such problems as face our statesmen, our governments and our people are greater than at any other time in history. Many of you are wondering what part you will be able to play, and are eagerly looking forward to the time when you can assist in the solution of the world's difficulties. You can indeed begin now. Never forget the sacrifices made by so many of your own country- men and by those who have borne the brunt of the war in Europe. And remem.ber that that spirit of sacrifice must be kept alive if any solution to our problems is to be found. Remember, too. that each of you is involved in this. Each one must be prepared to live a life of sacrifice. This has always been so. You cannot make a success of life, in what- ever sphere you may be, without sacriiice. The sooner we can all learn this, the sooner shall we see something of that better world about which we all dream and for which we so fervently hope. Let us then begin now to practise greater self-sacrifice in our everyday lives Just before I end my letter I want to say how much we who were there enjoyed the Sunday afternoon tea I held for the Alumnae, and how much we are looking for- ward to other teas like that. I want to urge those who are leaving to join the Alumnae Association and to come toevery meeting they possibly can. We are always glad to see you, and if we cannot see you we want to hear from you. So remember to let us know where you are and what you are doing. I was very pleased that the Senior Chorus entered the Musical Festival this year, and I hope that we shall go on year by year and do still better than we did this time. Some ten or fifteen years ago we used to compete very successfully, and then, after several years with no competition in the classes for Private Schools, we gave it up. Now we welcome the opportunity once more of joining in this great festival. The Junior Red Cross Rally in honour of the Governor-General and Princess Alice was a great inspiration to those who were able to attend. The great gathe-ring of four thousand young workers made us all feel that we must go on to even greater efforts on behalf of the Red Cross, and that brings me back to the idea I began with: let us practise self-sacrifice in the service of our generation and generations to come. Yours affectionately. ELSIE M. BARTLETT.

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THE EAGLE 17 ,e unfortunate occurrence in Grade II. when a boy succeeded in beating her. Last June she had the distinction of winning one of the first four city Isbister Scholarships. Amy is planning to take an Arts course next year, either at Queen's or Manfitoba University, and we are confident that she will continue to distinguish herself. ' Amy has taken an active part in School sports, and has been on the first basket- ball team since 1943. She loves country life and animals, as a hobby collects Qin her own wordsi bugs, fiowers and stamps, drives the family car, is fond of skiing. I-Ier personality, as well as her abilities and varied interests, has fitted her well for leadership, for though quick in sympathy and understanding, she maintains an attitude of impartiality and a certain air of detachment which enables her to keep a sense of proportion and make wise decisions in moments of strain and crisis. By they time this Year Book is in circulation another Head Girl will have been elected to succeed Amy. We wish her good success throughout 1945-1946, feeling that she. will often draw on her memories of the example set by her predecessor to whom we must return for a last comment. Our best wishes follow Amy for success in her Grade XII, examinations in june: we thank her for all that she has done for us during the. past year, we believe that a fine and happy life lies ahead of her. l S.LL.T. 35-T 1 HQ Although the actual surrender of Ger- many to the Allies was not made until May 8, for us in Canada, for us at Rupert's Land, V-E Day came on Monday, May 7, when we received the news that fighting in Europe had ceased. The news was greeted in school in different ways: with exultant cries, quiet tears of remembrance, stunned silence. At nine o'clock the school held a special service of Thanksg'iving and Commemoration in the Assembly Hall. In spite of the cold, driving snow that day and on May 8, there were joyful par- ades on the streets of Winnipeg, and out- door celebrations. Coloured bunting billow- ed from numerous windows, while truck loads of exulting people rattled through the streets. The people of Winnipeg flocked to the churches, regardless of denomination, to offer thanksgiving, and the loved ones of those who would not return were fervent in rejoicing for their friends. Those of us who went with the School to Holy Trinity will long remember that impres- sive service in the packed church, and the inspiring words of Mr. Finlay. Grateful as the congregation was to God for this great victory, they realized that rededica- tion was essential in bringing about the defeat of Japan, and a lasting peace. The speeches of Winston Churchill, President Truman and King George, throughout Tuesday, emphasized this strongly. V-E Day in Europe was a great day, the oppressed countries were at last free from the Nazis. But, deeply thankful for their release as they are, they do not for- get, and we must not forget, that to re- build Europe and to establish lasting peace is a task even more huge than was the task of winning the war. V-E Day for the world was like standing before a mas- sive, broken wall, once impregnable but now in ruins. The great Nazi fortress and the tower of Berlin has been smashed, and now, though in ruins, the people of Europe are eagerly peering for a sign of the dawn of peace on the horizon. They know, as we do, that peace will not be established until each person in the world has worked for it. This was the message that V-E Day gave to humanity. . JUNE SINDEN, ELSPETH YoUNt3.