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Michaels University School
St.
3400 Richmond Road
Columbia
Victoria, British
Volume
XIII
IP
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David R. Penaluna, Headmaster
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Mrs. Irene Lawrance
Being an SMUS old boy and long time boarder at the school has
left myselfandfriendsfeeling an attachment to it in apaternal sort
ofway. ArrivingatSchoolHouseattheyoungageof14yearsallowed
forone to become 'semi-adopted' by theolderstudents, prefects, and
long time staffmembers. As the years rolled by, we inherited these
rolesandourbonds with thestaffandeach otherbecamefamilylike.
Somemembersofthestaffeven acquired 'immediatefamily' names
because of the special ways they performed their tasks. You would
tell 'Mum' (Barbara Leonard) howyougot that cut onyour knee as
shegentlytendeditor we would 'shoot thebreeze' with 'Uncle Tony'
(TonyCordle)in thebookroomon Sundayafternoon. Ifeelespecially
privilegedtoknowmygrandparents, whoaresomeofmyfavoritepeo-
ple in the world, and SMUSprovided a type ofspecial 'grandparen-
taV relationshipfor me while I was a student there.
Mrs. Lawrance wasfirst introduced to me via the laundry room,
as the lady who returned money, forgetfully left in trouserpockets,
to you, the money secure in a sealed envelope. She was there with
cookies afterschool, andforsure, shedidnotforgetcards at Christ-
mas, Valentine's Day, or Easter. She was always very thoughtful,
and her reliable smile at 7:00 am gave each day a warm beginning.
Icanonlycomparehersweetnessto thelovegiven tomebymygrand-
parents.
Mrs. Lawrance wasfrom Saskatchewan; in fact, herfamily had
afarm in theQu'Appelle Valley where mygrandfatherwasbom. On
several occasions she shared with me stories aboutfarm life on the prairies - making comparisons between the old
and the new, exchanging photographs, and so on.
All this was a part ofthe SMUS which I knew, lived, and loved. Once we leave SMUS, our memories become so
vivid that it becomes difficultfor us to picture change . . . or even want it. 1 was truly saddened to hear ofMrs.
Lawrance's passing; her unique gifts and kindness will not be encountered again for a very long time. However, I
am comforted in believing that hergoodness is being rewarded, and I sense that she is happy and at peace.
Jason Dearborn
- a recipient ofthe Lawrance
Scholarshipfor many years
Table of Contents
Junior School 7
Classes 11
&
Art Literature 18
&
Music Drama 24
Games 27
Awards 34
Middle School 35
Classes 38
Sports 47
&
Music, Drama, Art Literature....63
Awards 84
Senior School 87
Staff 90
Classes 95
Grads 117
Activities 161
Excursions 175
Music 87
1
&
Art Literature 197
Sports 205
Boarding Life 229
Awards 236
Ads 241
Headmaster's Address
TheSchool Yearstartedinamostunusualwaywith theresidenceburstingintoflames
at the hands ofan arsonist on August 29th, afew days before boarders were due to
return. Luckily, thegoodburghersofVictoria werereceptivetoourcallsforassistance,
and within 10 hours accommodation had been providedfor all boarders expecting to
behousedin NewHouse. Parentsoftheschoolandstrangersalike weremostgenerous
inofferingtheirhousestoprovideasanctuaryforourresidentstudents, manyofwhom
hadalreadystarted theirpilgrimages to theschoolfrom asfarawayas Sweden, Papua
New Guinea, Nepal, and Australia. It was comforting to know that the City of Vic-
toriaconsideredthisincidentassevereablowas thecommunityofS.M.U.S. diditself.
To everyone who was even minutely involved, I am eternally grateful.
From myfirst interview with the local media, on site at 5:30 AM, I maintained a
perspective that though this incident was a setback, we would recover and, like the
Phoenix, risefrom theashes. This view wasgiven moreasagestureofpositivethinking
rather than an act ofuncanny clairvoyancy on my part; yet how true this thinking
was to become, for the year evolved to be one ofthe most successful the school has
yetexperiencedin viewofaccomplishmentsin theacademicandsportingarenas. Much
ofthe success must be attributed to the ambience created in the school by the Grade
XIIclass who, in turn, wereaidedandsupportedbyourdynamicfaculty. AstheGrade
XII'sgo, so goes the school in some cases. After the experiences ofthis Senior class
in reaching the Grade XII pinnacle, not even an inferno would have daunted their
spirits. En route, this grade ofstudents had been the Grade IX class shifted to the
Middle School, only to return thefollowing year to the Senior School. Even at this
stage we knew they weregoingplaces. It seemed that these students were involved in
everymajorchange theschool wasundergoing, and, subsequently, werecalled, ratheraffectionately, theguinea-pigyear.
When the experimentation was over, the Grade XII class had pulled offsome unprecedented accomplishments. In
theNationalMathematics Competition, itfinishedFIRSTin Canada. Twostudents won internationalcaps, notin sport,
butin PhysicsandMathematics. MichaelMontour waschosen to represent Canada in thePhysics Olympiadin Havana,
Cuba; Mark Van Raamsdonk was to do the same but in Mathematics in Sweden. Both did very well with Michael Mon-
tourgaining SECOND place in the World, only one halfpoint behind the winnerfrom the Soviet Union.
When the Provincial Scholarship results emerged in August, the Grade XII's had won 51 Scholarships, the highest
ever reached by SMUS. Advanced Placement results were comparable with 82% ofthe passes being at the 'A Grade.
'
In sports the First XV won the Howard Russell Rugby Final and then proceeded to capture the Provincial Title by
beating Semiahamoo in the championshipfinal at U.B.C. in May. By setting such a pace, the Seniors engendered the
examplefor the whole school tofollow: no less than 6 Island Titles were gained by teamsfrom S.M.U.S.
It is difficult isolating names ofthose who made an impact on the ethos ofthe school because many students would
emerge; ones I cannot overlook, however, in view ofthe leadership role theyplayed, are the Head Girl and Boy, Nadia
HerbandScottMcQueen, andtheSchoolCaptain Scholars, Kirstin SemmensandMark Van Raamsdonk. The harmony
that existed within their microcosm spread advantageously throughout the Graduating Class and rippled through the
whole school. For the special effect these members had they deserve the highest ofpraise.
Perhaps the destruction of New House did stimulate extra effortfrom the Senior students during the school year;
many believe these students would have had the same impact without the conflagration by dint of their special verve
and talent. For certain thefire had an impact in one major area ofschool life: it became the decision-maker in con-
sidering thefuture plans of the school.
Itdidso on the basis ofwhat had to beprovidedon the Richmond Road Campus to replace resident accommodation;
as a result the decision was made to invest more comprehensively in order to build thejewel ofall campuses. A start
has been made with 6 magnificent hoarding houses, level playingfields and the placement of Wenman Pavilion in a
more suitable locale. There is still more to come with the sale ofthe Racquet Club and the building ofa new Middle
School on the Senior Campus.
With the talent emergingfrom thejuniorgrades, the immediate ability ofthis year's Grade XII students andplans
to develop the Senior Campus evenfurther, the School'sfuture looksfull ofpromise. To all students leaving S.M.U.S.
and continuing their education elsewhere, I wish you goodfortune and offer an invitation to re-visit the school which
I hope has prepared you well and in which you can, as alumni, feel some pride and integrity.
Board of Governors
It is agreat honour and delightfor me to be asked to say a
few words to the 1991 Edition of the Red. Black and Blue.
You have all achieved a great deal in the lastyear; adapting
to thedestruction ofthefire, performingsuperblyon thesports
fieldandachievingexcellentacademic results. You worked well
as a team and each one ofyou should be proud ofyour own
success.
I hope that in thefuture you will remember not only your
contribution to the school, but what the school has donefor
you. There will be students in thefuture who could use your
help, time and advice.
When you go into life, always remember to try to have a ba-
lanced life while at the same time trying to achieve your best.
In addition, helpyour community and those who are lessfor-
tunate than yourselves.
To those students who will be returning to the school next
year, thegrade 12classhassetafineexampleforyou tofollow.
I hope that you will be able to maintain their high standards
ofloyalty, exellence and dignity.
Christopher M. Considine,
Chairman ofthe Board
Yearbook
Thanksareduetomanyhardworkingindividualswhogaveupmuch
of theirfree time to put together the 90-91 yearbook. To Jennifer
MortimerandKate Jacobs, the co-editors, goes much credit. Weare
very grateful to Jenniferfor the time spent during her summer va-
cation. Closetedawayin Room 37 whence wehadtransportedall the
boxes, files etc. in the expectation ofseeing our "home" removed
to make wayfor new Science Labs. In September we were back in
Portable2 where the newyearbookstaff, headedbyJenniferDuguid
and Noelle Davis, took up the task ofcompleting the book.
Thanks also are due to Ash Jaffer (Photos), Brian Chan (Cover
ArtandDividers), JenniferPopkin, ChrisBlohm, GillianRobertson,
Sandie Yew, Joanna Piercy, Mark Blondeau and Winnie Leung.
I'm sure thereareothers who havedone write-ups, typedcopyand
scroungedphotos - Thankyoufor allyour valuable support and as-
sistance.
