These activities are still in the forefront of our work, and most of our energies must be directed to the task of helping to win the war. When that has been accomplished we can face the tasks that will be imposed on us all for winning the peace.

Thanks to the devotion, courage, and skill of the forces of all our Allies and our Empire, the tide has turned in our favour and the prospects are much brighter this year than they were last year. With continued courage and sacrifice, we hope that next year will be an even better year, and that victory will be in sight. Before we can say that peace has returned to the world, however, there will be many bitter struggles, many heavy trials, may burdens to be borne, not only by those in the services, but also those in ordinary life. It is on this home front that the nation will be tested. We ordinary people have it in our hands to make "the great contribution" to war and peace, in our ordinary work and actions, and what we do is just as much as part of the fighting as if we were using guns, and planes and tanks.

We must remember that the measure of our contribution to the war and of our worthiness to share in the better world being shaped before our eyes is how we react to the challenge offered to our intelligence, industry, and skill, to our capacity for sympathy, fortitude, and sacrifice.

The maximum effort of each and every one is the least that is required to back up the efforts of our fighting men. When the morale of the people at home is high the fighters are inspired, and obstacles considered insuperable are overcome. Morale, that inner force that binds the people of a nation, and raises them to great heights, means no more than the development of those powers that urge us to do our best in every way. Are we using our intelligence and energies, and skill to the best advantage, are we industrious, and understanding, and bearing sacrifices cheerfully?

Are we doing all we can do, and trying to cooperate with those in authority? These are the questions we must ask ourselves before we can measure the extent of our contribution to the war, our contribution to humanity. Everybody has his part to play, and that part is necessary....

The school continues to make its contribution to the general effort. An increasing number of ex-pupils, and relations of pupils of this school are serving in the forces. The list of names appearing after this article contains those ex-pupils added since last year to our Comforts Fund. We should like to hear from others who have joined up, so that our records may be as complete as possible.

Our pupils are doing a great deal locally to help patriotic functions, and so the help given to the school directly is all the more meritorious, and is gratefully appreciated by those responsible for the school's efforts....

The introduction of rationing has decreased the activities of knitters, sewers, etc., and so the supply of articles made and distributed has dwindled to almost negligible proportions. ...

Money contributions have increased and so more canteen orders wre sent away. I am pleased to say that the effect of our activities is not measurable only in terms of the value of these orders, but in the far greater moral effect that is produced. The boys and girls are thrilled to know they are remembered, and look forward to the letters (and contents) that go our regularly from the Comforts Fund. They feel they "belong" and this tie with home and country gives them zest for their tasks and courage to go forward. We are grateful to all who have given us the support to carry on this important aspect of our war activities

Here are a few extracts from the hundreds of letters we have received during the year.