Father McNeill had been trying for some time to get some Sisters of Notre Dame to teach in the school and finally on August 15, 1940, the Feast of the Assumption, Father McNeil received a telegram from the Montreal headquarters confirming that his petition had been granted, “provided that two Sisters could be spared from the convents in P.E.IZ’ Not long after on September 2, 1940, Sister

St. Catherine of Louvain (Edna Pitre) and Sister St. Marie Eugenia (Louise Gallant) came to Stella Maris.

Leo Gallant bought the old St. Andrew’s School and moved part of it up the road where it was renovated to make him a home.

At the annual meeting in June of 1940, the name was changed from St. Andrew’s to Stella Maris. The fact that another district in Queen’s County bore the same name, and caused much confusion, induced the ratepayers to change the name.

The new Stella Maris School opened on September 3, 1940 with 140 students lined up ready for attendance. The official opening took place on September 10th. His Excellency, Most Reverend J .A. O’Sullivan blessed the new school at 9:00 am. One hundred and forty—two school children formed the line of march headed by the boy Scouts and Girl Guides. After asking God’s bless- ing on this new building, the Bishop, assisted by Reverend McMahon and Reverend Eric Robin, proceeded to the church where he celebrated Holy Mass following which His Excellency spoke very eloquently on the great need of the recognition of Christ in our schools and in public life. In the afternoon a meeting was held in the auditorium of the new school where a number of prominent speakers were present. A supper was served by the ladies of the parish in the base- ment of the school.

The school was concerned with not only the academic development of the child. Many and varied opportunities were provided such as: membership in the Holy Childhood, annual retreats, rhythm band, singing, piano, concerts, domestic sciences, carpentry, handicrafts, visual education, sports, lectures on co-operatives, savings in the school bank operated in conjunction with the Credit Union, Junior Red Cross, and Public Health. In this way, they hoped to better prepare the children for the future.

To encourage regular attendance at school, perfect attendance certificates were issued for the first time at the closing exercises in 1942. Parent and teacher meetings were also encourged. Study periods for higher grades from seven to nine were introduced along with the 7:00 pm. curfew.

The first annual Field Day was held on September 10, 1943. A cup donated by Father Wood was presented to the best all-around athlete. Ice cream, candy and soft drinks were sold. The highlight of the day was a giant bonfire prepared by the Boy Scouts.

30