COMMENCEMENT ANNUAL

“In whatever community a graduate of Coqualeetza may reside, let him bring honour to
his Alma Mater by living up to its ideals and putting into practice principles which he has
been faithfully taught, and which, if conscientiously adhered to, will help build a healthy,
prosperous and happy people.”

Conference of Principals in Toronto

The outstanding feature of Indian Residential schools of the United Church of Canada
this year was a Conference of Residential School Principals with officers of the Home Mission
Board and Woman’s Missionary Society. This convened in Toronto, Monday the twenty-
ninth of January and continued until the following Thursday. The British Columbia dele-
gation consisted of Rev. J]. Jones, Ahousat: Rev. F. Pitts, B.A., Alberni: Rev. R. C. Scott,
B.A., principal-elect Coqualeetza; Rev. G. H. Raley, D.D., Coqualeetza. Rev. Kenneth Beaton,
B.A., Associate Missionary Secretary presided.

The agenda was carefully drafted and dealt solely with the vital question of Indian
Residential Schools, in an exhaustive manner.

The principals, all men of experience in educationa! work, after making allowances for
native regional differences of environment, inherited tendencies and traditions: found their
problems very similar. During the whole Conference it did not require a great stretch of the
imagination, during some of the addresses, to feel “The Acts of the Apostles” was being
re-written in modern days and ways. Patiently and prayerfully each item of the Agenda was
debated, then the thought of the conference, crystalized into suitable memorials for adminis-
trative bodies.

Like all movements which affect and influence human life residential school were begun
by pioneers who died before they had achieved any conclusive success. One generation sets
itself resolutely to undertake the uplift of a primitive people: the next sees its richness and
enjoys its rewards. The future of the civilized life of the native people of Canada depends
largely on the faith and courage of the present generation of workers in residential schools:
on its readiness to work and its patience to wait for results.

On one evening of the Conference the delegates were entertained at a banquet in the
dining hall of Wesley Building by the ladies of our Church in Toronto. This social hour was
much appreciated and enjoyed. On another evening Dr. and Mrs. Cochrane invited the
visitors to dinner. This also gave us much pleasure and will remain a happy incident in a
memorable visit to the “Queen City of Ontario.”

Honour and Merit Clubs

On the part of both the boy and girl students these clubs have been active organizations
this year. There is the impetus of reward and the urge of competition. The rewards have
sometimes taken the form of a visit to the Chilliwack picture show when there was a good
picture, sometimes a special dinner. While it is sometimes said rewards for merit in conduct
should not be necessary: they are helpful when faithfully earned. Even the great apostle
to the Gentiles kad “respect to the recompense of the reward” and pressed forward “for
the prize.” With these he stirred his flagging energies. The system has worked well.

Academic Report

CHILLIWACK HIGH SCHOOL—REV. H. E. ETTER, B.Sc.,A., Principal
Senior Matriculation—Cecil Robinson
Junior Matriculation—Oliver Adams
Grade X —Mercy Wesley
Grade IX —Myrtle Kelly
Alice Sepass
Violet Wright
Frank Calder
Moses Leeson

Nine