![](images/images_people_students_1925_250.jpg) |
Students
in Uniform, 1925
|
tudents
came from many different backgrounds, and didnt have to
be Catholic to attend the school. Difference of Religion
is no obstacle to admission into the Institution, but whilst pupils
are left, without any interference, to follow their own profession,
good order requires that they should conform to the general regulation
of the establishment (Opening of the school). Students travelled
from many parts of the world to attend the school. When a new
student arrived at the school, the Sisters would record their
name, their age and where they were from in a book. In this book
they kept track of pupils registration from 1858 to 1923.
The
objectives of the school were to impart to young ladies
the benefit of a good moral and domestic education, accompanied
with the knowledge of the various branches of elementary training,
together with those which constitute the higher departments of
a finished education. This was a reason for many to choose
St. Anns Academy for their children. One student recalls
her mothers decision to send her to St. Anns (from the diary
of Mary Anne Frances Shepard (1848 - 1913)):
I
was now 16 years of age and had never attended school, except
the little kindergarten at Fort (Hennes), so mother decided to
send me away to some boarding school. At the Methodist Academy,
in Salem, Oregon, she thought too much liberty was given the pupils,
so after careful investigation she decided upon St. Anns
Convent in Victoria.
What
do you think a good moral and domestic education means? |
A
strict daily schedule was to be followed by the girls. ...we
had to rise at five-thirty in the morning; fifteen minutes to
dress and shake up our beds (feathers) and be down to Chapel
( From the diary of Mary Anne Frances Shepard (1848 - 1913)).
In addition to this, there was prayer time and study time, and
lights out at approximately 9:00pm. Students wore uniforms which,
over the years, changed from skirts and blouses to dresses to
tunics.
The
students were carefully monitored at all times. Still, they managed
to have many good times. While in the convent many amusing
incidents occured - we were seldom alone, nearly always a teacher
with us... (Mary Anne Shepard).
When the teachers werent around, students' mischief was
soon on the loose. Personal vanity was not encouraged in
the convent; the only mirror being enclosed in the panels of a
piano in the music room. There were four or five instruments in
this room, and when we girls were in there practising, if the
sister left us alone for a moment, a grand scramble was made for
a peep at ourselves. We were sometimes caught at this, but the
Sister never made any remarks. She probably knew that what couldnt
be cured must be endured.
![](images/images_places_interp_pupis_parlour2_small.jpg) |
The
Pupils' Parlour c. 1955
|
Things
were kept interesting with the occasional squabble as well.
My
last year in the convent was in 1865 and it was this year that
I had my first and last fight...Sister Superior said she had news
to read to us, and then proceeded to read of the assassination
of President Lincoln...as soon as Sister Providence finished reading,
one of the girls my own age shouted Goody, goody.
In an instant I was at her, one hand in her hair; with the other
I slapped her face. The sisters finally separated us, with the
remark, you must not fight, and then turning to me
she added I do not blame you.
Sometimes disagreements and breaking the rules resulted in punishment.
Eight or ten of us girls were once punished for some wrong
doing, and were made to kneel upon the floor. Soon after, Father
Saghers came into the room, making the pleasant remark that we
were at our prayers. Returning soon after, he had a back view
of us and read from a slip of paper pinned upon us the word disobedient.
How he did laugh and werent we ashamed!
With
all the laughter and tears, many close friendships were formed,
and many stayed in touch after they left the school. One student,
Louisa or Dolly Helmcken, received a special gift from her classmates
for her birthday. It was an autograph book, filled with poems
written by her classmate and cutout flowers. Dolly was the youngest
daughter of Cecilia and John Helmcken. Her family was very well
known, and today you can visit the Helmcken house to learn more
about this family and to see some of her work.
click
here to visit Helmcken House
Click
here for more on Student Life