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

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problems, and we shall hope that in the ensuing year the Choir will rise as an enthusiastic team to meet an important challenge. A good Choir must possess in abundance the attributes of any good team. There must be unity of purpose; there must be patience; there must be unquestioning obedience to direction; there must be courage. (Let him who doubts the need for this latter virtue place himself among the ranks of those who must sing — publicly — a taxing example of unaccompanied polyphony!) A good Choir, unlike a games team, cannot sustain even a moment of conspicuous starring by a gifted member, for every voice not subjugated to the whole effect is destructive of the very essence of choral endeavour. A fleeting lapse of concentration on the part of one singer seldom fails to result in disaster for all. In a Church Choir especially, the demands upon the individual Chorister reach beyond those made in other team efforts. Unselfish devotion is indispensab e. The sacrifice of time and work are not rewarded by cheers and plaudits from the side-lines. Frequently adverse criticism is the only comment forthcoming, particularly where enter- tainment is — erroneously — thought to be a function of the Choir. The Chorister must find his reward in the knowledge of his share in a sacred ministry; in the study and appreciation of musical treasures offered in homage to Our Lord by the world ' s master composers; in ever-growing familiarity with the lofty language wherebv men in their finest hours have expressed their worship and love of Ccd These are great rewards, and perhaps a youthful Chorister can possess only the seeds of an understanding of their greatness. But within the susceptible, they can grow into such influences as help men so to pass through things temporal that they finally lose not the things eternal. L adeti The picture of some GO Cadets in varying degrees of working rig as they stamped and wheeled over the Playing Field last May, would have done little to convince the casual visitor that R.C.S.C.C. COUGAR was the neat, disciplined, efficient unit it proved to be at the Annual Inspection a few days later. This furious, often frantic, rehearsing was climaxed on May 22, with the most colourful, and, some say, the best Inspection, the School has seen. Certainly it was the highlight of what had been an active and successful year. The Ship ' s Band made its first appearance, and the high quality of its performance was good evidence of the long hours of practice voluntarilv undertaken by its members. The new Ship ' s Colours were also on parade for the first time, and brought an added dignity to the proceedings. Following the Ceremonial and P.T. display (by the whole School), the second half of the programme was carried out at the Shawnigan Beach Hotel. Various aspects of training were demonstrated following a ceremonial sail-past of the twelve boats in service at the School. Page Fifteen

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SCHOLARSHIP AND ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS Scholarship and Entrance Examinations were held in the Spring of 1954. There were 11 entries from six different schools, including Shawnigan Lake, for the Foundation Scholarships which were open to boys under the age of 14 on January 1st, 1954. P. K. Janke is to be congratulated on heading the list with an a erage mark of 79.3% in all subjects written, and was awarded a four-year scholarship of $300 per annum. L hapet I loted ip After long and devoted service as chaplain, the Rev. E. M. Willis retired in June from his official association with the School, but we are happy to be assured of his continued interest and friendship. Renewed enthusiasm for our support of the Columbia Coast Mission was aroused by the visit of the superintendent, the Rev. Alan Greene, who gave us the first public showing of the new film on the work of the Mission. Other visiting preachers were Archbishop Sexton; the Rev. E. J. Hulford of St. James ' Church, Vancouver; the Rev. Brian Page of St. John ' s, Duncan; the Rev. John Stainer of Parksville; the Rev. Dudley Kemp of St. Mary ' s, Kerrisdale; the Very Rev. Philip Beattie, Dean of Columbia; and the Rev. John Maunsell, who has resigned his charge at Lake Cowichan to become Chaplain to the School. • Although we were not in a position to effect hoped-for improvements to the Chapel during the past year, preliminary sketches for the more appropriate furnishing of the sanctuarv are now being prepared by a well-known wood-carver. • The fund established at the beginning of the year for the installation of a stained glass window has reached the amount of some three hundred dollars, and special thanks must go to Miss G. Solly who undertook the heavv task of laundering the choir robes in older that the normal cost could be diverted to this fund. A memorial plaque honouring the funder of the School has been placed in the chancel above the Headmaster ' s seat, by anonymous donors. • ' • The Confirmation Service was held in the School Chapel on the third Sunday in Lent. The rite of Confirmation was performed by His Grace the Archbishop of British Columbia for 12 boys who were presented by the School Chaplain. We are again grateful to Mrs. P. A. Woodward, who provided flowers for the altar on this occasion. Jhe (chapel C7i Complications, inevitable in an increasingly active community life, have restricted training time in the past year to an extent that has reflected sharply on the proficiency of the Choir. Members who have felt the disappointment of knowing that the music of the services was not always well performed are to be greatly commended for their continued effort and loyalty. Arrangements are being made to overcome some of the Page Fourteen

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In his address to the Cadets ; the Inspecting Officer, Capt. Paul Taylor, pointed out the errors that had heen committed during the day, but said that on the whole, the Corps was to be congratulated lor its fine effort. He stressed the value of all aspects of the Cadet training as preparation for leadership in the future and urged all Cadets to take full advantage of the opportunities provided in the Corps. Further indications of the success of the year ' s activities were provided by the results of the annual examinations for promotion. Seven candidates wrote to qualify as Petty Officers and fourteen wrote the Leading Cadet examination. All candidates were successful with an average of over 80% in the P.O. class, and over 90% in the Leading Cadet section. Three Petty Officers attended the seven-week Quartermaster Course in H.M.C.S. CORNWALLIS, and three other Cadets applied, and were accepted for, summer camp at Comox. Reminiscences — The flustered Killick, who, under the very eyes of Lt. Freeman forgot to off-caps with the remainder of the Ship ' s Company during Prayers . . .The early-morning, never-to-be-avoided, band practices . . . The more-than-tentative faint of the A.B. who dropped his rifle near a mud-puddle . . . The over-confident Petty Officer who discovered the impracticability of sailing a whaler on its port gunwale in a gale, and learned the hard way that the density of brass (and of some Cadets) is greater than that of water. APPOINTMENTS — R.C.S.C.C. COUGAR — 1953-54 Chief Petty Officer — Kaye, J. A. Petty Officers — Brooks, C. D. (Gunnery Instructor); Battle, C. T. (Maintop Division); Simson, R. (Foretop Division); Crisp, C. C. (Boats). Scouts The second year of the School Troop proved to be a little more encouraging than the first. The Troop strength was 27 Scouts in four patrols; Cougars, Beavers, Wood- peckers, and Otters. By the end of the year all had been invested as Scouts except three; four Scouts had won their 2nd Class Badge, and many had passed tests toward 2nd and 1st Class. Page Sixteen