THE REVIEW Wednesday, April 25, 1984 By Chris Harker Claremont secondary school is proud of the fact that every year between five and seven per cent of the students in its graduating class receive a provincial scholarship of $1,000. The provincial average is two per cent. The pursuit of excellence in many fields, but particularly in the sphere of academics, was a priority established by the school’s original principal, Joseph Lott, now a school trustee. This goal has not changed. Claremont began in September, 1961, as a school of- fering courses from grades 11 through 13. In the mid ’60s grade 13. was phased out throughout the province. Claremont was then the only school in the district to offer grades 11 and 12. : Members of exclusive Claremont “498° ‘clab. at ait Ky BUY ONE, GET a AT *Price includes installation: **Most cars & light, Iruekss: The current principal, Don MacKinnon, took over in 1973 when Lott became principal of Parkland school. In the late 70s, as the district moved to establish its middle schools, additional grades were added to Claremont. The school now offers a full range of programs to 550 students in grades.9 through 12. : “We're in a traditional school building offering traditional subjects in’ a traditional manner’’, says vice principal Larry Booth. ‘“‘When | came here in the mid ’60s only 66 per cent of students graduating from grade 10 came on to Claremont. Now the figure is nearly 95 per cent. We've got to offer a greater range of subjects now, but we don’t compromise when it comes to standards. In order to geta good mark, a students who achieved. gy (highest possible standing) or. 2 vincial scholarship exams are. shown above ee their teachers. Left to right, Ed 2 Geol & Giles ¢ and Mike. Stacey. Le Murray Sharratt MU Photo Ss t tw @ Claremont one of top schools academically, in sports, music student has to work.”’ Booth points out that a traditional teacher is one who sets a high standard and then provides an opportunity for each student to meet that standard. He does not refer to the austere, Giles, the British cartoonist. The qualities of warmth, understanding and comradeship were clearly evident between. teachers and students in. both classroom and ‘fF corridor through the grim days following the tragic bus accident of Jan. 30. Like virtually all secondary schools today, Claremont offers senior students a great. variety of subjects from which to choose. Also, like most secondary schools, it has become well known for a couple of particular programs. One of these is music. In the early years of Claremont, teacher Don Kyle’s choir was well known throughout the Greater Victoria area and, indeed, in various parts of British Columbia, California and England where he toured with them on a number of occasions. ‘The musical tradition continues today under Ted Ireton, who. leads the instrumental section and Bill Osborne, who focuses on voice. In recent years the two sections have got. -f together on a major production. Frequently, Gilbert-and > Sullivan has alternated on an annual basis with a Broadway musical. This year, in an interesting break with custom, Osborne is producing Goldsmith’s 18th century masterpiece ‘‘She Stoops to Conquer’’, in May. Ireton, energetic fellow that he is, is accompanying his band to southern California in April, hosting a concert in early May and entering a group in a provincial festival later that month. Claremont’s sports program is also exceptional. This year, for instance, the boys’ basketball team made it to the provincial finals, which meant it was one of the province’s top 16 teams. Rugby, cross country running and track are also particularly strong. _ Claremont, over the years, has taken a number of awards in these fields that is disporportionate to its size. The school is fortunate to have a rubberized asphalt track - the only one in the school district. Though some funds for “its construction in 1971 were provided by the school district: and the Saanich council, the bulk of the money was raised by the student body with a-massive raffle, the grand prizes of. which were two new cars. ‘1 guess we’re doing something right’’, says Booth. te : there were serious problems, our parents would let us know tout de suite.’ Booth, it should be said, teaches French. He glances out the window as he: Says this. and sees the | Channel 6 mobile unit. : “Big. day. today’’ , says. ‘the vice- principal? Ss accident, is to visit’ the school for the first time Ever day, it seems, is a big day al Claremont ene “eWH EEL die Gee S ‘ “yh ue cane-wielding misanthrope caricatured by. ‘Darlene - : ~ Hunter,” “one: ‘of the students most. severely: injured in the . January bus ‘since the accident. A. group of:her friends. await her. arrival “FOUR WHEEL COMPUTER “BALANCE ol A community pancake bash will be held at Central Saanich Senior Citizens’ Centre, 1229 Clark Rd., Brentwood Bay, 8 a.m. -.11 a.m. April 28. Good menu, Bottle drive A bottle drive by.Sidney guides and scouts will be held May. 5 on the. penin- sula. ENGLISH BANGERS SIDES OF BEEF............ LOCAL SPRING LAMB When. you want to you want ..... ALIGNMENT -@LUBE, OL & FILTER Pancake bash Olle 5 YOUR PROFESSIONAL Experienced in Conventional and Modern Hairstyling Perms (Body Waves). : Ques. 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