AUGUST

Holidays. Some of us joined the party which went from Boscombe on August 22nd to the Religious Clothing and Profession Ceremony at Stakes. We were sorry that a greater number of Seniors could not attend, as every part of the Ceremony was most impressive, as it is now closely associated with the various parts of the Mass.

SEPTEMBER

New faces - many of them - appear and at first we feel strange without the stalwarts of last term. However, it does not take long for everyone to settle and the new School Officers assume their duties.

House Captains
Head Girl: A. Spicer,
Games Captain E. Kitchen.
Secretary: S. Lee.

Campions : A. Spicer; Vice, E. Kitchen. Ignatians : S. Lee; Vice, P. Ryan.V Stanislausians : M. Hooper; Vice, S. McCappin. Xaverians : C. Bavey; Vice, C. Turtle.

Prefects: V. Almack, C. Habgood, M. Linford, M. Trayfoot.

When we returned to school after the Summer holidays we found certain changes. As there was to be an extra Form in the Senior School, the former Needlework Room had been taken over as a class room. The Needlework Room is now in the Main Building, a large room formed by demolishing the wall between St. Cecilia's and the Elocution Room. To increase facilities for the Cookery classes alterations had been made in the Kitchen and a new Terazzo floor provided.

Our first Film Show revealed another very pleasing acquisition - a new full-size screen, which is a permanent fixture but can be rolled up and concealed behind the pelmet when the stage in the Assembly Hall is required for other purposes.

The Junior School can also boast of improvements and we see the workmen now constructing the new Dining-Hall, which will be adjacent to Kerryton.

This term we were told the good news of the beginning of Missionary work in Africa by our own Nuns. This will increase our interest and on Mission Sunday we mach a special collection for this new Mission. Of course, we shall still collect for the Holy Childhood, but it is good to feel that there are Nuns directly connected with our Convent now working in the Missions.



OCTOBER

We learnt that there was to be General Inspection of the school about ten days after the re-opening. To be quite honest, we were rather curious than disturbed at the thought. It was strange to have someone listening to the lessons but we did not find it as awe-inspiring as we had anticipated.

Many Films have been enjoyed but "Marcelino" proved a universal favourite. We should have been happy to see it again One of the Spanish girls saw it for the fourth time - the previous times, of course, in Spain.

The Annual Dance was fixed for October 26th, and we began preparing the Form Dances in good time. We must thank Mrs. Weston Burt for her willingness to help at any time and for the efficient way in which she directed proceedings on the night itself.

The Fancy Dress Parade as usual was a great attraction. His Worship the Mayor and the Mayoress were not able to be present until later in the evening, so Father Baron presented the prizes to the girls whose costumes were judged to be most original.

The winners were:
1st, "Christmas Stocking" (D. Burleigh);
2nd, "Mind That Child" (V. Anderson and A. Harris);
3rd, "Rock 'n Roll" (J. Reed);
4th, "Penguin" (H. Lewis);
5th, "Chinese Lady" (E. Baker);
6th, "Little Miss Muffet" (M. Pardy).

NOVEMBER

Half-term week-end followed the Dance and on the Tuesday when we returned to school, we found a complete transformation of many rooms, for the "Christmas Sale". There was such a variety of gifts from which to choose - Fancy goods, toys - all kinds of animals (which incidentally were as popular with the seniors as with the times), Calendars, Cards, a lovely Holy Stall with Lourdes Grottos, statues and a large store of the kind of Holy Pictures we like best - set in satin with edging worked in coloured silks.

One very big room was reserved for the Food Stall - cakes, biscuits, sweets and other goodies. It was fun to see the Nuns and Staff selling as fast as they could and the art of shopping as practised by the juniors, who looked so delighted with everything. The Gym Room was devoted to a Fun Fair - all kinds of Games and Competitions.

Hoop-la was as popular as ever and Mother Briggs and her assistants continued until the last moment while Miss Nolan in another part of the room had a most intriguing chance Game which seemed to necessitate a great deal of calling out of numbers, but for this crowds appeared to be most interested in Arithmetic! There was no question of needing to continue in the afternoon. Everything was sold by Lunch time, although the stalls had been so well supplied with goods. That tells how attractive they were and so much cheaper than in the shops.

The Feast of three of the Houses falls, in this term, so there were celebrations for each. On November 13th, the Stanislausians had a Film show in their honour. The colouring and interesting picture of animal life appealed to us all as we watched "No Vultures Fly". The following remark has no connection with the Feast, but Mother Golby can vouch for its truth. When the Form I girls came over to the Middle School and we were being put into Houses, one, when asked which she replied with enthusiasm, ''Oh, I would like to a be a Santa-clausian! ". We leave St. Stanislaus and St. Nicholas to settle the matter between them!

A group of odder pupils went to see "Los Fourberies de Scapin" at Bournemouth School and enjoyed seeing yet another of Moliere's plays. We look forward to these French plays every year.

We were very sad to hear of the death of Sister Agnes on November 24th. The Boarders in particular had admired her courage as they used to meet her struggling bravely along the corridor to the Chapel. She always had some little remark to make and we liked meeting her. The Senior Forms attended her Requiem and we shall all pray for the eternal repose of her soul.

DECEMBER

December 1st is the Campions' great day. As it fell on a Saturday this year, the festivities were held on the Friday afternoon We must congratulate Ann Spicer, the Captain, and the House as a whole, for the excellent arrangements made. Each House was asked to choose two representatives who were to tell a "Tall story", either true or false.

A Panel consisting of four members of the Staff - Miss Cummings, Mrs. Weston-Burt, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Nugent - were to, decide whether they thought the story true or false. The Panel were finally asked to vote for the House whose representatives had told the story best.

The Campiens had A. Spicer and C. Habgood as their narrators; the Ignatians, V. Almack and Y. Ryan: the Stanislausians, J. Pope and K. Kitchen, and the Xaverians, C. Bavey and M. Hannigan.

The silence and attentiveness of the whole school is sufficient proof of how well the stories were told. The Panel made several errors in their judgment and their questioning of the speakers caused much amusement. They decided that the Xaverians were best, although all had done very well. A Spicer, on behalf of the Campions, asked for the presentation of a trophy they had bought for the occasion - a copper tortoise - to the winning House.

The Campions wish this trophy to be used for a competition between the Houses on December 1st, every year. We were all sorry that Reverend Mother was away from Boscombe on the day, but hope she will be present for equally enjoyable Inter-House Competitions on other occasions.

The Feast of St. Frances Xavier, December 3rd, is always remembered. It is our Chaplain, Father Weaver's Feast Day, and also that of the Xaverians. Films seem to be the most popular form of entertainment and all were happy to have one for the occasion. This time we saw "Scott of the Antarctic", a wonderful history of endurance and courage.

For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Reverend Mother gave us all a most unexpected treat in the form of Tableaux of Our Blessed Lady. Girls in Forms VA and VI were chosen as the figures for the various scenes, with some of the Middle Form girls as Angels. Everything was done with great reverence.

A Narrator read the Gospel ,words or an appropriate explanation of the scene depicted and the whole school assembled in the Hall, joined in the Hymns and Carols between the scenes. The Tableaux showed, Our Lady Immaculate, crushing the serpent; The Annunciation; Our Lady and the Child Jesus; Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette; and finally the Nativity.

We are quite sure that seeing these Tableaux has increased our devotion to Our Blessed Lady; we had time to think quietly as the scenes were before us without any action to distract our attention.

The proposed visit to Lourdes at Easter, 1958, must have been in the minds of all as we watched the picture of the apparition, and it is encouraging to know that such a large number of seniors are anxious to go. Mother Wallace has already begun collecting from those of us who wish to begin saving now.

A Film entitled "Mary" was also shown to commemorate the Feast. Carols will be sung by all Forms in the Middle and Senior Schools in the Convent Chapel on Sunday, December 16th. We hope those who come enjoy this annual event as much as we do.

There are rumours that Form V A are going to give an entertainment before the end of term. By what we have heard - when we should nor be listening! - there is going to be quite a varied programme.

We are making clothes for the Baby Orphans so that Reverend Mother may have a good supply to send again this year. Our Diary must end here - and we hope that it has given to those who still maintain a keen interest in their old School, some of the details which they like to know.