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Deo Gratias! Preserved from danger we are able to fulfil our promise of another Christmas issue of the School Magazine. During these anxious days it is consoling to find how deep an interest our pupils past and present, take in the welfare of the Convent. Every loving thought, you may be sure, is reciprocated by Reverend Mother and the Community, and a very special place in the prayers of all, is reserved for the children of to-day and yesterday, whom it has been their privilege to care for and instruct. Exigencies of the times forbid the production of a publication as attractive as those of happy, pre-war days. However, we feel confident that this simple edition will fulfil its essential purpose as a record of life at Boscombe Convent, and as a means of helping Past Pupils to keep in touch with friends of their schooldays. Thanks to the work of the Red Cross, news has been received occasionally of Reverend Mother General. Very little information may be sent, but it is a relief to know that the nuns are safe and continuing their work. We pray God to hasten the end of the war and look forward to the time when dear Reverend Mother General may be able to pay the visit which has been so long awaited. A review of the past year recalls two items of news which have a special significance. The first is a loss - which older readers in particular will feel keenly. For many, recollections of Boscombe are intimately associated with the person of dear Reverend Mother Afchain, whose death occurred at the Convent of the Cross, Ryde, on January 9th. There is consolation in the thought of her long and devoted life, and we trust that she is now enjoying the reward of her untiring generosity in God's service. Within a fortnight of Reverend Mother Afchain's death, Sister Brigid and Sister Mary died at the Convent, Boscombe. May they rest in peace. |
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A novel Competition! All the Music pupils were graded and asked to play before the whole school. Reverend Mother kindly acted as adjudicator and awarded the prizes in each grade. She gave a short criticism of each one's performance. At the end of term we enjoyed some delightful French Carols. We must thank Mother d'Alancon and Mother Dunnett for what we have come to regard as a regular Christmas item. During the "Aid to China" week we were given an interesting lecture by Dr. King who brought with him fine specimens of Chinese handwork. The proceeds of a concert given to the juniors raised our Aid to China Fund to £6 14s. 9d. Great excitement on March 16th! The beginning of three days' Inspection of the school by three of His Majesty's Inspectors. They were present at the "International" Netball match on St. Patrick's Day, when the English managed to rob the Irish of Feast day honours after a very good game. "That Youth Organisations are to be encouraged rather than feared," was the subject under discussion at a lively debate. The chief speakers were P. Mackenzie and R. Stevens, but almost all those who were present joined in the debate. Current Events. Various subjects were named in advance, and on the day appointed each of us drew a slip of paper and we were expected to speak on the subject mentioned. We thank Miss Stafford for arranging this competition, and congratulate Upper IV, who were considered to have shown most information as a group. Who would have thought that as soon as the Boarders departed for Easter Holidays their places in the dormitories would have been filled? About a hundred members of the junior Red Cross of Hampshire, together with their instructors, spent the Easter week-end at the Convent, when they were attending a Rally in Bournemouh. |