A physical education program was introduced in the 1962-63 school year. Instead of building new facilities, the Parish Hall was purchased in 1963. An Allied Youth post was organized in 1962. Stella Maris had the distinction of having two of its members elected international presidents of A.Y .: Garnet Gallant 1968-69 and Brian Blacquiere 1970-71. The Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the founding of Stella Maris School and Convent took place in North Rustico on October 24, 1965. A Mass of Thanksgiving was offered by Msgr. J.P.E. O'Hanley at 4:00 p.m. followed by a delicious turkey supper served to 200 persons by the Stella Maris Alumni which had been formed in 1958. The guest speaker, Bertram Blacquiere , helped all pre¬ sent to recall the past. Overcrowding was an often repeated theme in the history of this school. Construction could not keep up with increasing enrollment. In 1969, three mobile units were received to take care of this problem. Local school boards disappeared in 1972. The Island was divided into five administrative unit boards with Stella Maris making up one of the many schools in Unit 3. North Rustico hosted a day-long reunion of former students and teachers of Stella Maris on May 20, 1978. A variety of events took place: in the morn¬ ing, Bishop Spence celebrated Mass; in the afternoon, there was a student- teacher tea, an interfaith program, athletic activities, and a banquet supper for 350 people; in the evening, there was a variety concert followed by a dance. The year 1978 marks the end of Stella Maris as a regional high school. On June 18th, the final grade XII graduation took place. This historic event took place in the Stella Maris Church and Centre. Because of the large class of 35 graduates and of the large number of relatives and guests expected to be in attendance, it was felt that the hall would be too small to meet fire regulations. In the fall of 1978, our grades 10, 11, and 12 made their way to the newly con¬ structed Bluefield High School. In 1979-80 school year, one principal was put in charge of the North Shore schools of Stella Maris , St . Augustine's and St. Ann 's, in the person of Mr. Tom Wilkinson . In recent years the Stella Maris Home and School Association has spon¬ sored a ten week grade one preparation program. It began in the Spring of 1980. Making use of a room in the school, the children are introduced to a variety of experiences so that they will be better prepared for Grade I in the Fall. This pro¬ gram is financed by a tuition fee, the Annual Valentine Tea and Bazaar, and by donations from various groups and organizations in the area. Father McNeill's goal of providing the children of Stella Maris School with a good christian education has been achieved and the tradition passed down through the years. Pastors, teachers and parents have worked together to achieve 36