APRIL

Reverend Mother General's visit seemed to have passed very quickly and it was saddened by the fact that our dear Reverend Mother Kelly was known to be seriously ill. On April 1st, the day before her departure, Reverend Mother General was present at a recital given by Mother Gillard's music pupils. She commented on the high standard of the playing and congratulated Mother Gillard and the girls.

The annual Retreat was arranged for the week-end of April 4th, Passion Sunday. We were pleased to hear that the preacher was to be another Past Pupil of Boscombe, Father T. Smalley, S. J. As Children of the Cross, we could have no more suitable time for a Retreat than the beginning of Passiontide and we are grateful to Reverend Mother for giving us this opportunity.

During the Easter holidays many of us heard the news that Reverend Mother Kelly, whom we all loved and respected so much, had died on Good Friday, R.I.P.

Surely Our Lord took to Himself one who had always been so devoted to His Cross and who worked so generously for the good of souls. We know that she will continue to help Boscombe's children by her prayers. For our part, we shall remember to pray for her and for those who must miss her so much.

MAY

Our Lady's own month! We tried to do everything possible to honour her with renewed fervour. A hymn was sung after Mass every morning, the Rosary recited by the Community and Boarders together each day, while all the classes had a special May altar. On every Sunday we took part in the processions, which were preceded by sermons specially chosen to increase devotion to God's Immaculate Mother.

Reverend Mother and one of our fellow pupils who was fortunate enough to go to Lourdes during the Easter holidays told us of their memorable experiences.

We had all followed with keen interest the tour of Her Majesty the Queen and great was our delight when we learned that the Brittannia and her escort were to pass by Hengistbury Head. Day pupils hurried off from school to secure a good view and the Boarders went out to the Head by bus. Unluckily a thick mist enveloped the coast and despite our hopes it did not lift as the time for the arrival of the ships drew nearer.

At about 6 p.m. the message came that the Britannia had passed and was by that time on her way up the Solent. In spite of our disappointment, we rejoiced to know that Our Queen was safely home and on Sunday, May 23rd, we joined in the Te Deum sung in the Church of Corpus Christi in thanksgiving for the safe return of Her Majesty.

As a fitting climax to Our Lady's month came the Canonisation Ceremony of Pope Pius X. Listening to the Broadcast, we united ourselves with those who had the privilege of being in Rome for the solemn occasion and shared in the general joy of the whole Catholic world.

Children owe a special debt of gratitude to Saint Pius, for it was he who permitted them to receive Holy Communion at a much earlier age than had been the custom and who devoted so much of his busy life to the instruction of the young.

Our photo is a water-colour painting of the 'Laying of the Foundation Stone' by S. Lee, Lower V, (aged 14)

JUNE

The school atmosphere became tense as the date for the Oxfords approached. However, the time-table was very accommodating, for we had no paper on the morning of the Feast of Corpus Christi and were thus able to sing the Mass at Corpus Christi church. Mother Pannell played the organ and Miss Gobell was in charge of the Choir. At the early morning Mass in the Convent Chapel several little juniors had the happiness of making their First Holy Communion.

From the beginning of term, we had watched work beginning on the new Assembly Hall and great was our excitement when we were told that the the Bishop would lay the Foundation Stone on June 29th. He had promised to come to the Convent for the Clothing Ceremony of our last year's Head Girl, Catherine Morton and of Miss Anne Travers, who was formerly a mistress at Holy Cross School.

The Chapel, always so beautiful, looked at its best and we were honoured to see so many priests assembling for the procession to the Chapel, in which the Community and all senior pupils joined. Pupils of Form V and VI formed the Choir and after the Ceremony they rendered the Magnificat most impressively, thanking God with the two Novices for the great graces of that day on which they received the Religious Habit.

At the end of Benediction, the procession formed and made its way to the site of the Assembly Hall. The Cross-bearer and acolytes were followed by pupils, Past Pupils, other guests, the Community and finally the clergy preceding His Lordship, the Bishop, who blessed the site and laid the Foundation Stone, which is inscribed "This Foundation Stone was laid A.D. 1954, in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Profession of Reverend Mother Mary Kelly, November 22nd, 1950.

Amidst the rejoicings, our thoughts turned to dear Reverend Mother Kelly, in whose honour the Hall was planned and although it had not pleased God that she should be with us on this happy day, we felt that she was watching all and praying that this addition to our school may indeed be Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Parents and friends had gathered in the grounds and when the ceremony was completed, guests assembled in the parlours and St. Helens, where Form VI pupils served tea.

A peep into our classrooms at the beginning of the month might have suggested that the "Project" method of teaching was being adopted in the Senior School and that great minds, thinking alike, all had decided on "Household Goods". In actual fact, we were having a friendly rivalry in our collecting of goods for the B.C.D.F. Fete, and each Form jealously guarded its own collection.

Pricing and packing the contributions proved good fun, and we envied the older girls who were to assist Miss Kelly and other Past Pupils in running the Stall.

House Examinations sobered our minds for a while and then we turned our full interest to preparations for the Bournemouth Festival. Miss Gobell had decided to enter three Choirs this year, and Mother Potter two groups for Elocution. All gained certificates, while the one Senior Choir carried off the Shield and the Group of Lower V who acted "The Spinsters of Lushe" in the Dramatic Scene section were awarded the Cup.

You may see from the photograph on the next page of the Senior Choir, that we enjoy our singing and do not find it a strain. Reverend Mother, who had shown her interest by coming with us to listen to the singing and elocution, gave her consent for the Choirs to have their songs recorded so that parents who could not be present might enjoy them.

Sports Day was fine but rather chilly, and there was less need to resort to the ice-cream stall than on previous occasions. Juniors enjoyed their races in the morning, and whether winners or not, most seemed to have acquired a prize before lunch-time.

In the afternoon the Seniors' events were interesting, especially the novelties of the Obstacle races. Mental alertness, handwork as well as athletic skill were tested; so that the athletes were not certain of winning. Results of the events are recorded and we must remember that each winner, in addition to receiving a prize, scored points for her House.