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

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opemun d J4c We came back at the beginning of the year to find that Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins had taken over from Mr. and Mrs. Curtis who had left to found a prep school, Cliff side,” on the other side of the lake. The most important single aspect of the year was the conversion of the third floor into a Junior House under the leadership of Mr. Grey. This house was for new boys (grade 7) who were to spend a year here before moving to their parent houses. Junior House boys shared our dining room, locker rooms and so on, but they had their own reading and hobby rooms. Copeman ' s House itself had many other new features: numbers were up to sixty-five and, for the first time since the war, all available space was used. Grade 1 1 had their own study, and Mr. Higgs’ room was converted into a sick-bay — this, of course, was after he had left the House to get married! We had our own matron living in. Miss Langford from England, and she, together with Mrs. Hartl, looked after the health of the House. No longer was there a lack of hot water; a new boiler was installed and, at the cost of straining the budget by using so much coal, there was steaming water all day long. Mr. Hartl continued to render sterling service to the House. We had our domestic troubles; Kim and Jack left at Easter and were replaced by an assortment of strange people none of whom stayed long. In the end Bill came up from the Main School and at once the situation improved. Around the outside of the House divisions were taken over by Mr. Dinter and supervised by the prefects. The eventual plan, as envisaged as the moment, will im- prove the surroundings out of all recognition. The steps up the hill from the main drive have already been clamshelled and a path has been driven through to the main entrance; this is the first part of a scheme to make a lawn and formal garden at the front of the House. The Dell, (which is to be grassed and planted with suitable shade” ) , has been dug, de-stoned and rock planted at the north end. Roses have been transplanted to the masters’ entrance. A games area to the north of the House (which will eventually be graded and levelled ) has been cleared. The efforts of some so-called loggers to fell a tree across the power lines were thwarted just in time! The eyesore at the back of the House will be filled in to the surrounding level and trellises will be built to hide the coal heap, garbage and so on. All in all we are an accomplished band of amateur gardeners; we even have our swarm of bees, prompted by a swarmer” which Robin Curtis effectively dealt with — but why no honey?! New back steps were con- structed as well as much needed fire-escapes which Columbia dormitory used to ad- vantage. Michael Fall finished the bicycle sheds behind the garage, while the general appearance of the House was improved by the reshingling which took place during the summer. In the world of sport we did well in most things. The houses produced much closer finishes than usual, which is good. We won the under sixteen basketball, the junior diving, the cross country and both the rowing events, but lost to the eventual winners of the rugger in the first round and were beaten in the final of the cricket. In track we were without the services of our star, Geoff Wright. In academics we were, regrettably, left in the cold, although individuals did well. The prefects had a great deal to do this year, what with the general running of the House, work divisions and evening and weekend duty, but they did their work well. The Club in the basement was in full swing all year; Whetham and Tatum built a model railway while Saunders was responsible for all the radio interference and Donaghey carved beautiful South Sea Island heads. We lose three of our most able boys this year; McAvity and the Johnson brothers leave us for pastures new. At the year’s end the general pattern of the House was clear: the Junior House was a success, the added facilities for senior boys who wanted to study were used to their fullest, the general improvement to the grounds and the living rooms were acknowl- edged by most and, of course, the House motto, Vix Ea Nostra Voco, rings just as loud and as clear as always. — 23 —

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LAKE’S HOUSE — 22 —

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COPEMAN’S HOUSE