February.

In preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes we were shown C.T.S. lantern slides of the Shrines of Our Lady in England. The accompanying lecture told of devotion to Our Lady in the days when England was proud to be known as Mary's dowry, when kings, prelates and simple folk alike gave of their best to do homage to God's mother.

We admired magnificent cathedrals and churches and shrines of the past and present. After the lecture Mother McEvoy proposed that we should write our impressions, and prizes were offered for the best essays.

On February 11th we prayed earnestly to Our Lady of Lourdes, Queen of Peace, and placed ourselves and all dear to us under her protection.

March.

As Lent began so early this year, it was decided to postpone the celebration of Reverend Mother's feast until the Summer term.

A The Dansant re-united Past and Present pupils, and an enjoyable afternoon was brought to a close by the singing of the School Song.

So Boarders really CAN keep secrets! The Senior Boarders gave us a big surprise - a short Lenten play. The plot was concerned with a Soul struggling between the comfortable advice of Self-Love and the unpleasant pricks of Conscience, in the difficult task of selecting suitable Lenten penances. SelfLove prevails and the soul chooses penances which are extravagant and flattering to one's conceit rather than simpler mortifications which would really cost.

The devil himself is the trader in these wares, and the soul would fall a prey to his wiles were it not for the timely intervention of the Guardian Angel. All the parts were well acted, but I think the Devil and his horns attracted particular attention.

At the end of term a most exciting debate was held, the subject for discussion was "That Boarding School is to be preferred to Day School." The papers read had been carefully prepared, but special mention must be made of Paddy Daly, who stressed the value of training in the home, and supported her arguments by references to the Papal Encyclical concerning the importance of family life.

When the motion was open for discussion, even the most shy and retiring seemed to find eloquence and vigour - in fact a time limit had finally to be imposed. The Boarders were out-voted by the Day Pupils, but it was encouraging to find everyone contented with her own lot.

Summer Term.
April.

On the Feast of St. George we were happy to offer Feast Day Greetings to our dearest Reverend Mother. The address was read by Peggy Miller and the juniors advanced to present bouquets tastefully arranged with ribbons of red, white and blue. On the following day, Juniors and Seniors alike spent some very happy hours at the Fancy Dress Party to which Reverend Mother invited us.

May.

We were proud to be present at the Mass offered on the Feast of the Cross for the intentions of the Community at the request of Marjorie Lloyd, a past pupil, and also to be included in the good wishes expressed in a telegram sent by Clare Blanshard. In the afternoon we had a knitting competition; the winner being Jennifer Morton.

Preparations were begun for a great event! Reverend Mother General whom we have all wished to see had sent the good tidings that she hoped to be with us at the end of the month. But, alas, the grave turn of events on the Continent made the journey impossible, and to our great disappointment our dear Reverend Mother General's first visit had once more to be postponed.

On May 14th we were told of the death of dear Mother de Liniere, R.I.P. Although few of us had had the happiness of knowing her personally, we knew of her devoted work in past years, and we were able to attend the Requiem Mass celebrated by Bishop Cotter in the Convent Chapel.

During this month we said the Rosary with the Community every day, and the practice was continued until the end of term.

The practical Cookery and Needlework Examination was held in Kerryton. The lady examiner praised the work which had been done, and commented specially on the excellence of the method by which we had been taught. Encouraging results reported in this issue will doubtlessly make many others eager to follow this interesting course.

An opportunity occurred for a practical war effort. After the tremendous feat of the rescue of the Allied forces from Dunkirk, many French soldiers were brought to Bournemouth until arrangements could be made for their return to France. Several hundred were billetted at Holy Cross School, and we devoted our needlework time to repairing and preparing garments for them.

There were a number of priests among the soldiers, and we felt privileged to be present when they celebrated Mass in the Convent chapel.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart fell this year on the last day of May. In view of the grave anxiety aroused by the course of events in France and Belgium, Fr. Weaver proposed that we should all repeat with him the Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart and renew our confidence in the protection of that loving Heart.