St Sebastians School - Arrow Yearbook (Newton, MA)

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W2 K Vilt g E if la 0 1 I , V , X lil . Q Q yi I I x 414 l F 5 X tail? , - W ' J E 2711 X S li I T S a . 7' THE ARCHER NLEss the archer be skilled, the arrow will not reach U its mark. Here at St. Sebastian's we have had the direction of priests-men of God whose sirlgleness of purpose aims at an eternal target. They have finely gauged the flight of the arrow to its ultimate lodge- mentg nor have they forgotten the obstacles that might deflect the arrow from its course. Sebastian triumphedg with God's help so shall we. -5 CDU 'ES13 Q N' at 5 . a . gh 3 ly i o a +- 2 + 'W + ' as Q 11455 09

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THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IDEAL AT ST. SEBASTIAN'S The Country Day school idea first found tangible expression on Nonantum Hill in Newton in 1907. At that time Mr. Shirley K. Kerns established the first Country Day School on the site now occupied by St. Sebastian's Country Day School. The plan devised by him at that time has been followed very closely in the many schools which have adopted the Country Day ideal since the Country Day School was founded. At the time Mr. Kerns expressed the main point involved in his new venture in this way: The working plan which it is proposed to adopt is modelled on that of the best boarding schools, the intention being to give boys, as far as possible, the advantages of a boarding school without separating them from their parents . This ideal has been adopted to meet the obvious requirements of a Catholic Country Day School at St. Sebastian's. At half-past eight in the morning, Mass is said in the School chapel. The boys are not required to attend this Mass, but are trained to visit the Blessed Sacrament of their own volition before classes begin. The Presence of Christ in the chapel may be said to be the inspiring factor in the entire life ofthe School. This fact is stressed constantly, with most impressive consequences. From nine in the morning until twelve-thirty, the boys are engaged in recitations and study periods. At twelve-thirty the boys are served a substantial dinner. The individual tables are presided over by one of the priests of the faculty. After dinner there is a brief period of recreation. At one-thirty classes are resumed, and are con- tinued until three. At three o'clock the various teams assemble either in the gym- nasium during the winter months, or on the playing field during the milder weather. Not only does the School organize major teams, but the younger boys are carefully trained under the supervision of the members of the faculty. At four-thirty the signal is given for the end of the school day. After the boys have showered, they gradually drift down the hill toward home. We might say at once that the school is situated within easy reach of the Newton-Brighton car line, so that the boys can go back and forth daily from their homes. Once a year a Retreat is given to the students under the direction of a skilled re- treat master. Every First Friday the boys attend Mass in a body, and receive Holy Communion together. The First Friday Breakfast is a pleasant feature of the School's life. One of the important advantages of the School is the presence of the Masters after the regular classes are ended, to aid and assist the students in any of their scholastic difliculties. The spirit of cooperation between students and masters is both impor- tant and impressive. It is very necessary, because the boys must be taught the proper methods of study which will enable them to carry through their scholastic training successfully and with facility. In a word, St. Sebastian's Country Day School endeavors to give every boy a well-trained mind in a strong body, together with an all-pervading sense of his dignity and the responsibilities of Catholic manhood. That is the ideal of the School. With the blessing and help of St. Sebastian we are approximating our ideal.

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Ruvlinulwn CHARLES D. MCxINNIS H eadmu riff