Page 5 - 1958

To the Editor of the Gleaner:
It is an honour and a privilege for me to accede to your request for a brief editorial on the occasion of the publication of the C. D. C. I. Year Book, and particularly, since this year, 1958, marks Collingwood.'s Centennial Year.
I congratulate the Editor and Staff of the Gleaner who are' to be commended for their efforts, and I assure you of the support of the Board in your endeavours.
Early in 1858 the first public school building was opene'd in Collingwood. In 1874 a brick Grammar School was built on Hume Street, enlarged in 1879, and raised from a Grammar School to a High School in 1876, and in turn was raised to the statuB of.a Collegiate Institute in 1923. Following a fire in 1923, the former C. D. C. I. building was built and servEd a very useful purpose in Education until 1953, when the beautiful new building you now enjoy was made possible by the joint efforts of the District Municipalities who share in a high standard of education that this building provides.
Let each student ask h:i.r.ls.eli, "Are we meeting the challenge for a better educat ion that is so essential to-day for equality of opportunity? "
A wholesome school is a successful school, and a successful school can only be made possible by the joint efforts of the Board, Principal, Teachers, ParEnts and Students. Are you happy with your school job as an individual and are you honEst with yourself? Closer relations with your tea chers in guidance,
and not running away or becoming indifferent to your particular qualifications, will bring about a desire in your future life that is your solution.
To determine your future, I would suggest conference meetings with your teachers that will assist in finding your aptitudes, and will assist you in a decision to go to university for some profession in life, to be a farmer, or to prepare for a good education that will always be so USEful in liff.. English, French and hrEiign languages make a good background, and your school offers a very good curriculum in the SCiences, Arts and Professions. TeDchers work with ideas from facts that will
concern your future. Parents should kindle the necessity of a good Education in their children, to assist sociEty in thE responsibility of learning and knowledge ~hat is not waste. Material things can only bE wasteful. And, please keep in rp.ind, lilt is a fallacy to believe that he who gives the most is assured of winning
9chola rsh ips ".
A basic tenet of our education is not only to train students for jobs,
but to prepare them for a rich, full life, and this includes physical education eourses that contribute to mental health, and offers real learning in recreational skills, human relations, and self-knowledge.
I wish to express my personal appreCiation for the co-operation reCEived from the teaching and administration staffs, in my years as a Board member, and on behalf of the Board, I extend best future wishes to this year's graduates and unJergraduates who w ill be leaving school.
J. N. Bourrie, Collingwood Chairman C. D. C. I. Board