St Michaels University School - Black Red and Blue Yearbook (Victoria, British Columbia Canada)

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Board of Governors l'O THE LERAIJUATING CLASS l was gettuinely pleased to be asked to contribute a few sltort words of congratulations to each of yoti on successful completion of your formal education, lt is a time for each of you to be proud of yourself, proud of your accomplishments, proud of bringing yourself in such fine fashion to tltis most significant juncture in your life. l know that you consider it a great privilege to have attended a school which is internationally recognized as in the forefront on those leading educational institutions designed to equip a student with tlte strength needed to withstand the triumphs and despairs of life. The days that lie ahead will provide you with the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills so lovingly instilled in you by your home and this school. As a favorite philosopher of mine, Spinoza, said: To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life. You are leaving here to either work or continue your education, both extremely high goals: and you each have the country, Canada. To live here is almost guarantee enough of a splendid future. But it takes hard work to become fulfilled and happy. There is no short cut. There are no litnits to how far you can go, only those imposed by your own mind. Winston Churchill said it all when commenting to a graduation class: Never give in, never give in, never, never, never in nothing great or small, large or petty -- never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Life passes so quickly. As a sage said recently: Days run on ttntil they run out. You will not be given too many more days within which to choose your life's vocation. Ponder it well. Don't bounce around in too many ill or itil connected disciplines. Decide on something and pursue it with both vengeance and excellence. Remember that every mountain has at least two valleys. You can't expect to avoid the troughs. They are what make the peaks so enjoyable! l wish to congratulate each of you on your graduating from St. Michaels University School. May God bless your privilege of pursuing either in an incredibly great future with good health, joy, happiness, prosperity and understanding. Board of Governors 1984-1985 Dr. D. Alastair Baird Mr Mr. Chris Considine Mr. George Deylin Dr. Robert W. Durie Dr. Ron Forth Mr Mr. Christopher H. Fultz Mr Dr. Gilmour Greig Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Stanley J. Haughey, C.A. J. Robert Horner lan L. Jessiman, QC. Peter Klassen . Mary Moat .William R. Moore tAlumnit Robert Murphy lan L. Jessiman, Q.C. Chairman Dr. Jon Muzio Mrs. Kay Pennock Mr. Curtis Purden Mrs. .lean Stokes tktisiliaryt Mr. Norman Tooke Mrs. Margaret Van liit Mrs, Maryla Waters

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Headrnasteris Report The School Year 1984-85 marks the school's 79th year of existence and my eighth year as Headmaster. In terms of cups, trophies and honours won in rugby, soccer, basketball, cricket, badminton, tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross- country and field hockey, this year almost certainly ranks as w the finest the school has ever seen. In music, art, drama and debating, this year has also been a vintage year: I think of the West Side Story production at the McPherson Playhouse, the German Play, the French Play, the one-act plays, the full- length musical put on by the Junior School, other musical performances by choral and instrumental groups, as well as the memorable solo performances given in Chapel. Academically, SMU this year retained its pre-eminent position among schools in B.C. and across Canada, ranking again as top overall in University of Waterloo and University of Windsor maths contests. This was the year that Bryan Feir ranked first among Grade ll students in B.C. in physics and among the top fifty of 500,000 competitors from thirty-seven countries in the MAA international maths contest. It was a year in which Junior and Senior students excelled in essay contests and in which Gosta Struve-Dencher won the Vancouver Island, the B.C. Independent Schools, and the B.C. Provincial Debating Contests. It was this year that Ken Oppel's book was published internationally. This was also the first year that Japanese has been introduced in to the school. in Grades 1, 2, 3, thanks to Mr. Richard Bonnycastle of Calgary and the support of Mr. Masuda of Yokohama, Japan. This was also, let it be noted, the year when the Board of Governors, under the Championship of lan Jessiman, cleared the way for girls to enter SMU beginning in Grade 1. But apart from all the honours and accolades won by SMU pupils, and especially by members of the 1985 graduating class, there is something far more important to be said. This year's graduating class was not only multi-talented but it was also exceptionally mature, responsible and caring. lt set an example for all the members of the school to try to match or, if they can, to excel in their final year. To the two School Captains, Gareth Rees and Shannon Hill, and to the Head Boy, Steven Kasapi, my congratulations on an outstanding year. And to all the members of a fine graduating class, warmest good wishes for the future. We're all of us at SMU sorry to see you leave. ,e 1 X .X . x . f .. gf as X I f-f I ' i John Schaffter Headmaster

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'Valedictory Addresses Shannon Hill, School Captain I would like to extend a warm welcome to all those present today- teachers, parents, honorable guests and fellow students. When I left my home in Regina, Sask., 3 years ago to come to St. Michaels University School, I was a very young girl filled with high hopes and great ex- pectations. And now as I stand here before you today with a very full heart I want to tell you that all my dreams have been fulfilled. Dreams come true for a variety of reasons: An Olympic athlete might tell you it's because of discipline, a business man might tell you it's because of tenacity, a mother might tell you it's because of patience - a school headmaster might tell you it's because of love. When I first met Mr. Schaffter I realized that he really cares about educating the whole person, and his school is a model of this principle. If I remember correctly, he told me that he believed in my potential to be a great person. Mr. Schaffter has never stopped believing in me and I know that he believes in the unique potential of every student in the school. Mr. Schaffter is a man who makes us believe in ourselves. And so, my Headmaster has definitely played a role in the fulfillment of my dreams, here at SMU, the close unit of friend I have made - the family I've been a part of. I realize that I have gained much more than a graduation certificate. There is more to education than trigonometry and chemical equations, for as important as these may be, it is one's own learning experiences that contribute to the K overall development of the individual. SMU has provided for us this important educational balance. The many activities that vv e, the Grade I2's have engaged in - The Spring Fair, Staff impersonation day, our venture to Salt Spring Island on Skip Day have brought us closer together as a graduating class. We have discovered qualities about ourselves and about each other. Now, with a tear in our eyes and a memory in our hearts, vve must go our separate ways. Yet. in our parting we know that we have acquired a greater understanding of friendship and compassion. As for our teachers. they certainly deserve congratulations on a job well done - you've turned out another class of SUPER students! Your continual encouragement and guidance have given us the confidence to strive for better things. I vvould especially like to thank my parents who have always told me, Absolutely nothing is impossible . One rainy day last March when I was feeling a bit discouraged, I received a letter from my mother. My mother is a mind-reader - she knew I needed a little inspiration and I would like to share with you, part of that letter. It is from Dag Ham- mersholdk book. Markings , - I AM OF THE OPINION THAT MY LIFE BELONGS TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY- AND AS LONG AS I LIVE, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO DO FOR IT WHATEVER I CAN. I WANT TO BE THOROUGHLY USED UP WHEN I DIE, FOR THE HARDER I WORK, THE MORE I LIVE. I REJOICE IN LIFE FOR ITS OWN SAKE. LIFE IS NO BRIEF CANDLE TO ME: IT IS A SORT OF SPLENDID TORCH WHICH I HAVE GOT HOLD OF FOR THE MOMENT - AND I WANT TO MAKE IT BURN AS BRIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE HANDING IT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS. To my fellow graduates, I wish you the best in your future endeavours - and may all your torches burn brightly. Gareth Rees, School Captain Mr. Guest Speaker, Mr. Headmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen, Graduates and students. As I complete I2 years of schooling I realize that I have met many many people. I have even en- countered myself. During my five years at SMU I have been encouraged to pursue excellence - and I can only hope that, along with my fellow graduates, we have made an honest effort to follow that advice. In respect of excellence, I was recently invited to read a book entitled: Memories and Miseries of a Schoolmaster' written by Stephen Leacock. A quotation that appealed to me and hopefully is appropriate for the Grads today, reads as follows: IF EVERY DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SCHOOL COULD BE THE LAST DAY BUT ONE - THERE WOULD BE LITTLE FAULT TO FIND WITH IT. We are delicately balanced with just a few days to go, but as students it would be honest to say that we too can find little fault in our school A SMU has been generous to us. Our gratitude then extends to many groups -tothe SMU student body V to the staff -to our scholarship donors - and perhaps, most of all, to our parents. At times it is difficult for us to appreciate and therefore understand our parents, but with the unsolicited permission of Oscar Wilde, I would like to paraphrase, his thoughts: IF PARENTS WEREN'T THERE WHEN YOU GOT HOME AFTER SCHOOL, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOUR DINNER - AND YOU WOULDN'T FEEL LIKE EATING IT ANYWAY . To all those that have helped us along the way we thank you for giving us your bones and allowing us to cut our teeth upon them. Saturday 15th of June, I985 marks the end of our time at school, and the day and date will be of special significance in our lives. The years that have passed will hold many memories. Memory is perhaps the most delicate and frail of all the powers of the mind - but I can only hope that certain events during my time at SMU will remain indelible. I will not forget the CREATIVITY shown by one of my class in having a book published. The ORIGINALITY of seeing a waving gorilla on the roof of the Gym on our SKIP DAY. The COMMADERIE experienced when I was part of the rugby tour group of 50 boys that travelled to the South Pacific. The ABSURDITY of 90 NERDS parading into morning chapel. The ARTISTRY that was in evidence in WEST SIDE STORY, and of course the now infamous HISTERIONICS of our senior basketball coach, Staff and parents are often bemused by these affectations and antics - but, in our youth we are merely trying on one face after another, until we find one, that fits. It really is as much as we can do for you the older generation -to shock you and keep you up to date. On a more serious note, I want to add that we are aware that BOTH parents and teachers hold the reins of power, and again vve are grateful that you have chosen to bear that responsibility. Technically, we graduate today, which qualifies us to pursue our interests in the future. Up to this point I have avoided using the word education, because what we have received at SMU is maybe not an education, but a means to an education. It would be false for me to state that all the Grads have clearly defined goals, we don't, many of us are still searching. But I think the common denominator within us, is that we are interested in the future, because we are going to spend the rest of our lives there and we can never plan the future by the past. It would be presumptuous of us, the senior class, to try and assess our contribution to SMU, because vve can only