I am always amazed at the amount of teamwork at Jarvis. Perhaps
learning to co-operate and work hard is the most important lesson to
be learned here -- and one which is seldom mentioned. There is
nothing more satisfying than the sense of confidence and happiness
which comes when you know that you belong, and that people need
you. No great award or trophy is needed; the feeling comes from
within.
Although many of you had a lot of fun washing cars, shining
shoes or being a slave during the United Appeal campaign, I know
that you were all proud when Doug Neave presented a cheque for
$1300 to the fund last November. Although several members of the
football teams rarely got onto the field, I know they were all proud
to sit tall on the bench and yell. The crowning of Linda Lowe as
Miss Cheerleader was a proud moment for all Jarvisites as well.
There is also a great feeling of pride and accomplishment for the
student who sees his hard work rewarded with promotion in June.
For a Grade Nine student in September, the pride is tempered with
awe and fear; for the Grade Thirteen student, the pride is accompanied
by confidence and maturity. Peter Chen, one of our
scholarship winners from last year, is an outstanding example of
an industrious Jarvisite, achieving 82% in nine subjects although
he only came to Canada five years ago.
The Magnet is a permanent record of this year at Jarvis. However,
it is also a permanent example of the spirit of teamwork at
Jarvis, which makes your teachers and I proud, and which is a
challenge to you to do your full part as a member of the team.
It is a training which will bring you happiness now, and which will
ensure a successful and rewarding life for you in the future.
