Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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i id it of the cJLieutenant-Lji overnor On Sunday, 29th March, 1953, the School was honoured by a visit from the Lieutenant- Governor of the Province, The Honourable Clarence Wallace, C.B.E., and Mrs Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, -who were accompanied by Commander and Mrs. Hew Paterson, attended service in the School Chapel after being welcomed by a guard of honour from the School Sea Cadet Corps. After Chapel, our distinguished visitors were introduced to members of the staff, prefects and senior boys of the School. They were entertained to lunch in the School dining-room, and later His Honour addressed the boys in Big School. He complimented the School on its reputation and on the achievements of its many Old Boys, particularly in the services rendered to their country. He expressed pleasure in his visit and satisfaction with all he had seen and heard that day, and in conclusion delighted the Head Master and all those in attendance by offering to present to the School a Roll of Honour to commemorate those Old Boys who had fallen in the Second World War. The Head Master thanked the Lientenant-Governor and Mrs. Wallace for their generosity and the honour they had done the School by their attendance that day. School Holes When we returned to school in September, 1952, ready and even anxious to embark on a new school year, there was an air of optimistic expectancy abroad, for we had a larger enrolment that we had had for over twenty years, and while numbers are not the only criterion of a school ' s progress, it is good to see class-rooms filled, the hobby shop a hive of activity, the swimming facilities fully used, and four or five games in progress simultaneously on the playing fields. Additional boys meant additional staff, and as there were changes as well as re- inforcements, there were many new faces. We should like to take this opportunity of extending a formal, but none the less sincere welcome to the following: to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis who arrived from England with their two small children. Mr. Curtis took charge of, among other things, the Hobby Shop, the Boy Scouts and the three junior grades, while Mrs. Curtis quickly organized a Cub pack. To Mr. Kilpatrick, who came to teach French and general subjects as well as to be a House Master. We were sorry to see him leave in April for reasons of illness. To Mr. Hewitt, a graduate of Loughborough College, who left Jamaica to take charge of the P.T. and become Lake ' s House Master. To Mr. Painton, a recent Oxford graduate, who came to teach general subjects in the school, and later to take Ripley ' s House under his wing. To Mr. and Mrs. Townend who joined us half-way through the year. We also welcomed a new Head Nurse, Miss Grace Solly, three new matrons, Miss Boyd, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Winstanley, a new secretary, Miss Ruth Solly, who was needed to help Miss Clunas with the additional work in the Bursary. To all of these we extend, somewhat belatedly, a very sincere welcome, and hope they will long be with us. We welcome too, the return of Mr. C. E. Lonsdale with his many enthusiasms and his many interests. During the year we were honoured with a visit from the Lientenant-Governor and Mrs Clarence Wallace. A full account of this will be found elsewhere. Major Rex Gibson visited us in October, to give us an enthralling talk — lecture would be too formal a word for his friendly and interesting address — on mountain climbing. We were all carried away by the feeling of excitement and high endeavour always associated with the climbing of mountains. In addition we saw some of the most beautiful, as well as some of the most remarkable, photographs of episodes in the life of a mountain climber. A month later, Air Marshall Sir Philip Livingston honoured us with an enthusiastic and electrifying talk on the joys of a full life,, one brimful of adventure and packed with interest at every turn, one that satisfied not only the desire for travel but also the urge to belong to an essential and proud organization. If ever an apologist were needed for the British Empire, we should like to nominate Sir Philip for that post, for his infectious certainty would have no difficulty in sweeping away every objection and every doubt levelled against the morality of empire. An interesting visitor to the School during the past term was Mr. Falcon, an Old Boy of Hilton College, Natal, and a present member of the Board of Governors. The reason for his visit was a sentence in a book written by Mr. Malim who in the ' 30s went round the world to visit and report on private schools. Mr. Malim ' s sentence was, There are in the world two schools that, as regards site, excel all others — Shawnigan Lake School, British Columbia and Hilton College, Natal. Mr. Falcon came to examine personally the accuracy of this judgment. He gave his unequivocal approval to the general statement, but suggested, I believe, a re-arrangement of the order. Page Four

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Editorial 3 Vl T HAS BEEN SAID that this year 1952-53 has been a year of transition in the life of the School. It is perhaps a natural conse- quence from the advent of a new Head Master, but this is not the only change that has taken place. In the first place, the school year commenced with an enrolment of 114 boys, which was a substantial jump from the 70 who were enrolled at the end of the previous year. At Speech Day in June, 1953, there were more boys in attendance for whom it was the first experience of such an event at Shawnigan Lake School than otherwise. Furthermore, there seems every indication that these numbers will be main- tained. The improved state of the School ' s finances in conse- quence has made possible many necessary replacements and renovations in the fabric of the School which in themselves pro- vide change. Surely these are heartening signs that Shawnigan Lake School will, in the terms of its charter, endure for all time. The term private school which is ascribed to Shawnigan Lake and other similar schools seems unfortunate, nor is the newer term independent school truly representative. Shawnigan is neither private nor independent. It is an educational trust, which depends upon public acceptance of what it has to offer in terms of education in the fullest sense of that word. The significant feature of Shawnigan Lake School is that it is a boarding school, where boys of like age, from variable surroundings and circum- stances, may not only be taught the curriculum of the educational system of this province, but may live together, work together, play together, and share those unique opportunities of incalculable value which are afforded by its Chapel, its gymnasium, hobby shop, playing fields, lake-shore facilities and rural surroundings. Despite the materialism of today, these a.e the features that will allow Shawnigan to endure for all time because these are the things that enable those who enjoy them to develop character and equip themselves for useful, healthy and happy citizenship.

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The annual Flower Show was held on June 3rd, and, as usual, most of the School took advantage of the general leave given to attend. Everyone concerned with the organiza- tion deserves the heartiest congratulations, for the number of entries as well as the diversified nature of those entries, bore witness to the immense amount of work that had been done in the background, quietly and effectively. In the evening the Gymnastic Team went over to repeat the display they had given at the Annual Inspection. The weather was the disappointing factor of the summer term. After three well- nigh perfect summers we are perhaps in danger of being spoilt, but certainly this May and June dull skies, rain and cool weather were the order of the day. This was particularly unfortunate in view of the amount of hard work that had been done on the boats. To miss the compensating joys of summer suns and sailing winds was a sad blow. Perhaps September and October will make tardy amends. The health of the School, under the watchful eye of Miss Solly, has been good. In the winter term we had an epidemic of ' flu, with a large number of casualties, but fortunately the disease itself was not of a virulent nature, having more of a nuisance value than anything else. In the summer term we were visited by a similarly mild complaint, German measles, which did no damage beyond dislocating classes and giving victims that did not need it a few days rest. MR. DUXBURY Although he might greatly prefer to avoid plaudits, something more than mere con- vention compels us to voice an appreciation of the work and influence of Mr. Frank Duxbury as a master at Shawnigan during the past nine years. The unique quality of his teaching — marked by a rare historical sense and an ever up-to-the-minute knowledge of world affairs — has offered to many a boy unusual oppor- tunities for a better understanding of events. Whether directing classroom studies, initiating the very young into the complex dis- ciplines of the games field, leading an energetic hiking expedition up hill and down dale or sailing forth on the lake in his canoe, Mr. Duxbury has succeeded in waking the sense of adventure. When he assumed the onerous role of Senior Master in 1949, the increased demands on his versatility were met with the selfless devotion and integrity that have contributed so immeasurably to the effectiveness of the School. We regretfully chronicle his leaving in June of this year, and we extend to him our most sincere and grateful good wishes. L hapei I lotes ip An important and long-needed step was taken this year in the appointment of a Chapel committee of staff and boys to oversee matters of maintenance and the management of Chapel funds. With the exception of certain costs which were felt to be a general School responsibility, it was decided that the Chapel should be more nearly self-supporting, and that as a centre of Christian endeavour a greater effort should be made to contribute to the work of the Church beyond our cwn bounds. The first commitment in this direction is our undertaking to contribute regularly to the work of the Columbia Coast Mission, whose religious, educational and medical activities are of such vital import in this diocese. It is also the hope of the committee that much may be done for the beaut if ication and improvement of the Chapel itself. Designs for stained glass windows have been on hand for many years, and altar and sanctuary furnishings, linen, and hangings which were donated at the time of the building of the Chapel in 1927 are — in many cases — in need of replacement. We are confident that the permanent significance of the Chapel and its indispensable influence in the life of the School will appeal to the generous interest of many parents and friends. Continuing an association with the School which has been interrupted only infre- quently since 1922, the Rev. Eric Willis again filled the post of chaplain. Visiting preachers during the year were the Rev. John Maunsell, of Lake Cowichan; the Rev. John Low, of Quamichan; the Bishop of New Westminster; the Bishop of Olympia; and the Archbishop of British Columbia. The Rev. Canon Sampson of Cobble Hill assisted at the annual Christmas Carol service; and a thoroughly refreshing and inspiring week-end was enjoyed by us all in the visit of the Rev. Charles Preston, Friar of the Society of St. Francis, Dorset, England. Page Five