Westmount School - Review Yearbook (Edmonton, Alberta Canada)

Page 34 text:

President ' s Message I T IS TRUE that each grade twelve class feels its own graduating year to be more important than that of any previous class; and I suppose we are no exception. However, I am sure that even an impartial observer would count the year ’39-’40 amongst one of the important in Westmount’s history. This has been due in a major part to our new and very popular principal, Mr. Niddrie, the co-operation of the teachers, and the work of a conscientious Stu¬ dents’ Union. The success of the Union would have been impossible were it not for the steady work of its members in routine matters. But, as it is the more spectacu¬ lar fetes that attract the outsider’s eye, I will mention one of these first; the purchase of our new projector. Judging by its present enthusiastic use, we feel that it will warrant its purchase. Now let us turn our attention to the more mediocre tasks of the Union. A great deal of sports equipment has been purchased this year with the idea of encouraging Westmount ’s whole-hearted participation in sports. The formation of the “Learn to dance’’ classes this year accomplished a great deal considering that they were carried on outside of school hours. In a regular class period, under proper supervision, they would have a much greater effect. Other clubs fostering different activities in the school have been started. We have been hindered in the conception of these activities by a lack of space; but a new school will effectively remedy this. Perhaps one day these modest beginnings of school activities will embrace the differing interests and hobbies of a huge student body. We foresee in them a promise of a valuable link be¬ tween what might otherwise become an unwieldy school population because of no fusing interests. Our social activities have become more extensive this year. The most im¬ portant occasion was that of Mr. Taylor’s presentation. We sincerely hope that on that day we made clear our appreciation of his work for us and for W estmount. Westmount will always be dear to me, particularly because of the warm welcome it extends to newcomers; this I have experienced personally. The past term has been most valuable to me because of the co-operation on the part of your room-reps. They have been a grand group of workers. As I look over the summary of the year’s activities which have been so suc¬ cessful, I feel that we have not waited for the long anticipated school building to increase our prestige; we are already steadily gaining on it, and can say with honesty that we are living up to our school motto: “ESSE QUAM VIDERI’’ JOCK BELL. Page thirty-two