Victoria High School - Victorian Yearbook (Edmonton, Alberta Canada)

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Year Book 13 FOREWORD By the Principal VOCATIONAL LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE I N the absence of a suitable and comprehensive text book dealing with occupational information and vocational guidance for use in schools of Alberta, some general hints for our students might not be amiss. Physical stamina, mental equipment, inherent tendencies, local oppor¬ tunities and economic backing vary greatly. Stock must be taken of all before one’s vocational range is selected. Moreover, these variable factors should be fairly well estimated by the alert individual before he has grad¬ uated from high school, in order that he rhay be master of his own destiny in so far as such gratification is possible. Vocational latitude is determined by one’s physical equipment and stamina. Many occupations, even among those most preferred, require physical energy and immunity from slight physical ills, to a greater degree than is possessed by the average person. It is quite true that to a large extent the lack of a rugged physique may be offset by wise and consider¬ ate living, but this may only be effected when our occupation permits of such careful attention to health. Vocational longitude depends upon mental capacity, inherited char¬ acteristics, present opportunities and economic considerations. When the individual has reached the age for high school graduation, his judgment with respect to his vocational longitude should be absolutely candid and dispassionate. To aim high is noble, but to aspire unwisely is an unprofit¬ able undertaking which may foster a querulous and peevish temper and sour the even tenor of our way. Having determined our vocational latitude and longitude, the range of our possible vocations becomes apparent, and it then remains as a matter of expediency, coupled with opportunity, to take root where we hope to grow to maturity. It is a splendid commentary on our civiliza¬ tion that the world, in general, looks upon youth almost with a hallowed feeling of tenderness. This feeling disappears as the youth passes out of his ’teens and the world then expects him to stand on his feet and to be able to make a worthy contribution to society. Vocational guidance has not yet approached the status of a science and it behooves ea ch youth to preserve an alert, questioning attitude concerning present day society, in order that he may discover for himself his proper vocational range. The national character of our Secondary educational system is yet in a state of fermentation. Evidence of frothiness and sediment do not detract from our belief that its ingredients are sound and wholesome, and in time will settle down into something substantially excellent. The greatest proof of this statement lies in the present, ever expanding tendency of Canadian educational reform, to stress education of the youth not as masses, but as individuals; and by this token to aid them in the discovery of, and preparation for, their particular vocational range. In conclusion, may we suggest that our whole educational trend in Canada warrants the degree of optimism expressed by Emerson: So nigh is grandeur to our d,ust, So near is God, to man, When duty whispers loiv, “Thou must,” The youth replies, “I can.”

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12 Victoria High School THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL By Miss K. Teskey 1CT0RIA High School is the direct descendant of the old Edmonton Ny High School, the first high school established on the north side of the city. Prior to 1912 Edmonton and Strathcona were separate cities, each having its own municipal government, and each its own high school. The two schools were called the Edmonton and the Strathcona High Schools. When the new north side building was opened in 1911 with a staff of six teachers, the name was changed to Victoria. Doubtless in view of the approaching union of the two cities, the former name was felt to be no longer applicable. Amalgamation of the two cities took place in 1912, and Victoria High School had now a staff of t en teachers. In the next three or four years the number of pupils demanding High School education had so increased that they filled the twelve avail¬ able Victoria High School class rooms. Other high school rooms were opened on the north side of the city, in various public school buildings. But presently the question of housing high school students presented a problem so acute that it was found necessary to press into service two basement rooms, the library, and two of the science laboratories in Victoria High School. Even this accommodation proved insufficient and about five years ago four temporary rooms were placed near the main building. With this arrangement of class rooms work has been carried on up to the present. Just now the question of accommodating our High School students is being considered by the School Board. Many persons closely in touch with the problem feel that an extensive High School building program must presently be undertaken by the city. One suggested solution is that a group of High School buildings be placed on or adjacent to the grounds of the present Victoria High School, this grouping to afford High School students a wide range of choice in the courses offered. The adoption of such a program would probably involve a complete reorgani¬ zation of our school, and possibly a change in its name. Are we then approaching another period in our development, where the name Victoria, which has been associated with our school since 1911, must in its turn make way for another which will more fitly designate the larger institu¬ tion of learning that will take its place? The staff of Vic school has undergone many changes in personnel since 1911. Mr. L. S. Carr, principal at that time, is now an inspector; Dr. W. G. Carpenter, who succeeded him in 1912, left us in 1914 to be¬ come Superintendent of Public Schools in Edmonton, and later accepted the principalship of the Institute of Technology in Calgary. His succes¬ sor, Mr. E. L. Fuller, is now a high school inspector. Others have left us to take positions as high school principals, inspectors, instructors in the Normal schools or in the University. Our own graduates are ap¬ pearing in considerable numbers on the high school staffs of the city; two of them have returned to us this year, Mr. H. Poole and Mr. J. Hunter.

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14 Victoria High School