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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-27, Page 6system to their own revengeful advantage. Gordon Cudmore, London lawyer, pointed out in his column in the London Free Press (March 23, 2003) when he wrote on the subject, that it’s as easy for a woman to pick up the phone and accuse her partner of abuse as it is for her to order a pizza. The consequences, however, are far more serious and long lasting for the accused man, especially if he’s innocent. It’s not fair, it’s not right, and it certainly is not just. SINCERELY, GWYNETH WHILSMITH On the brink of extinction Dear Editor: An idea whose time has come is one belief for the whole world. Oneness may not be the way, but it is another way. To date, any or all religions have not been successful for peace, harmony and happiness among all people. We are all ‘one’ world wide born in the image and likeness of God. We are all equal in divine spirit (the invisible) as well as molecular cells as with all of nature. This makes it possible to attain cosmic consciousness. One with all that is. No one is separate from God. Why not unite in this common reality? God gave us all the most wonderful gift, the choice for good or evil. Because God gave us all the choice, there is no judgment of our choices, be it good or evil. Only people and religions judge. God does not! Why do we put ourselves above God the Almighty, and judge? The mass united energy in the world would have a dynamic positive universal effect that would unite as one to influence the world in harmonious co-operation and peace with all people and countries. We can all glorify God in our hearts and minds with- out separation by the beliefs of Buddha, Christ, Hindu, as in Brahma, Visnu and Shira, and Muslim Muhammud, as well as Jews. It will take three genera- tions to change, but it needs to begin - one God - one belief system to make us all one. We are all ‘one’. Why not unite in one great powerful force to have a world without boundaries for the com- mon good and be who we really are, equal in love for the glory of God? Our collective reality would ensure a future for us all. Until everything is perfect we need change. We can experience the grandest version of the greatest vision, love. One belief is an excellent idea, the sooner the better. We are on the brink of extinction. Eileen Van Meer, London Hensall Fair Board meeting called Dear Editor: Due to the inability to secure people to fill vacant posi- tions on our Board of Directors, I have to call a public meeting to state our dissolution. In addition to the lack of filling positions on the Board of Directors, also there is a need to find people for the President, Secretary and Treasurer positions. This meeting will be held Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hensall Arena. We had our year end meeting on Nov. 18 and at this meeting it is our tradition to change/elect people to the Board of Directors and the executive. There has been a large number of resignations basically due to the peo- ple’s years involved with the fair. Without the influx of new people there is no way the fair will carry on, which means for the upcoming year 2003 there will be no Hensall Spring Fair. Personally I am willing to be involved in the fair but cannot take as active a part as I have in the past. We feel badly for exhibitors and visitors to the fair, but if we cannot do a proper job there is no point in attempting to make an attempt. We have not suffered monetary problems due to the financial support of the community and local business; and we at this time thank them for this. Regards, BILL BENGOUGH 6 Wednesday, November 27, 2002Exeter Times–Advocate Opinion&Forum &News Panther Profile EXETER — The Panthers are still going strong in athletics. The Panthers senior boys volleyball team competed in the Double-AA WOSSAA Championships. They made it all the way to the gold medal final, but lost a close game to St. Marys. The girls basketball team competed well at Huron-Perth and advanced to the WOSSAA tour- nament last weekend for an excellent finish to their season. This is just a taste of a great year in athletics! Thanks to the school and com- munity for cheering on our teams and congratulations to all our athletes who represent our school. The winter season is just beginning, so remember to check for opportunities to sup- port girls hockey, boys hockey, boys basketball and girls volley- ball. Our Junior Reach for the Top team competed at Central Huron and won the B Championship. Congratulations team! This past weekend, the SHDHS Formal com- mittee held a barbecue fund-raiser. Thank you to Hansen’s Independent Grocer for their generosity and for hosting the event. Thanks also goes to the community for support- ing the event and to the committee members who helped out. The Flu Shot Clinic is Nov. 28. Forms for the clinic are in the office. Coming events: Nov. 27 — Girls hockey: South Huron at St. Anne’s — University presentation: Redeemer at 9 a.m. Nov. 28 — Flu shot clinic — Double Cohort presentation: 7:30 p.m. in the small gym Nov. 29 — Boys hockey: in Exeter Nov. 29-30 — Senior boys basketball: tournament begins Friday at 3 p.m. in large gym Dec. 3 — Student Health Clinic: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4 — Post-Secondary Planning Workshop for Grade 11. Dec. 6 — PA Day Dec. 9 — South Huron Bands: Christmas Concert Dec. 11 — Drama: Greek Theatre in Room 89 Dec. 12 — Semi-Formal dance Dec. 17 — Report cards Teen corner Super Group! You would be surprised at how much work goes into a small theatre production. That's what several South Huron arts students and I learned for three days last week, when we were involved in Stratford Festival Theatre's Shakespeare on Wheels program. Students from Music, Drama and Visual arts went to Stratford for two days last week, and pre- pared a fifteen minute scene from Shakespeare's King Lear. The experience was absolutely amazing, and it was also incred- ibly hard work! To prepare for a fifteen minute performance, there was an enormous team effort to insure that things ran smoothly. Students built a set, selected cos- tumes, composed music, learned lyrics and lines, and blocking for the scene. What really amazed me was how well every- thing came together at performance time... sure there were the usual kinks, but all in all, the effort ran fairly smoothly. So I wondered what it is that makes things go well in group projects, and I came up with my own criteria, howsoever incomplete it may be. Things will only work well, first of all, if everyone in the group puts the task at hand ahead of themselves. I think that this is the fun- damental of effective group work. If everyone thinks only of themselves, nothing will ever get done. This is actually the main criteria I came up with, but there are several points that coincide with it. For example, everyone should listen to each other's ideas and comments, and make only positive comments about the ideas. Everyone should be encouraged to give their suggestions, and good communication skills are definitely necessary. Listening is the most important part. If everyone stays on task this way, your group work will run a lot more smoothly! JENN BAKER TEEN CORNER BETH HUNDEY PANTHER PROFILE Principal’s Message EXETER — Perhaps the most widely-dis- cussed issue in education in Ontario in the last year has been the so-called ‘Double Cohort’ issue. As you know, next June we will have a sig- nificantly larger number of students graduat- ing from high school, as fifth year (OAC) stu- dents from the old system are joined by Grade 12 graduates from the new curricu- lum. The term ‘Double Cohort’ is not an accurate term, however, as the number of graduates will not actually be double: stu- dents from the former General Level have always graduated after four years of high school, but the students who have gone on to university generally took five years. The big question on people’s minds, espe- cially the students, is whether or not our colleges and universities will have enough space to accommodate the increased number of applicants. The view from the government side has been there will be enough places for all students who quali- fy, but the issue raised by their opponents is how much change there may be in the entrance requirements, par- ticularly the marks require- ment. In other words, what it takes to ‘qualify’ may be sig- nificantly different this year. In an effort to get some answers for this situation, the South Huron school council, along with our Guidance Department, have organized an information night. We have invited the following people to take part in a panel discussion on the issue: Sandy Birthelmer, an ambassador for the Ministry of Education, Ruth Rodgers from Fanshawe College, and Natalie Poulie from the University of Western Ontario. The presenta- tion will take place Thurs., Nov. 28, at 7:30 in the small gym. Randy Wagler, our local school board trustee, and I will moderate the discussion. It is our hope parents and stu- dents will hear the information they need and have an opportunity to ask questions. Anyone interested in the ‘Double Cohort’ situation is encouraged to attend, but this event will be of particular importance to graduating students and their parents. Parents of Grade 11 students should also keep in mind their children will be affected also if there are not enough post-secondary places for this year’s graduates. Students who do not get into college or university next year may return to high school to upgrade their marks and many of them will likely apply to post-secondary institutions the fol- lowing year when this year’s Grade 11 stu- dents are graduating. Students are reminded also of the flu shot clinic Thursday. Consent forms have been available in the office, but these may also be filled out at the clinic Thursday as high school students are old enough to provide their own consent for the flu shot. We encourage the students to take advantage of this opportunity. Students and parents are reminded that Fri., Dec. 6, is a PA Day. There will be no school that day as teach- ers will be using the day to enter marks and comments for the first official report card, which will be distributed Dec. 17, just in time for Christmas. Finally, we would like to thank Exeter Glass and Mirror for a recent donation of a large stack of matt board to our Arts Department. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. JEFF REABURN PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE It’s not fair Continued from page 5