Reflections of Havergal: 1994-2019

Literary Publications The Bluestocking

significant prizes: a silver award from the American publication Merlyn’s Pen , a highly regarded magazine of young adult writing, and an award of merit for graphic design from Canada’s Studio Magazine . The latter was a particularly noteworthy achievement given that Havergal was the only school to win one of 400 awards out of a pool of entries from college-level and professional designers. In the preface to 1994’s The Bluestocking , editor Sonal Champsee, then in Grade 11, explained how advances in technology had enhanced the creation process, but she was also clear on its limitations: “No matter how powerful computers become or how diverse their abilities, our human imagination makes us the master. After all, imagination is what separates us from other forms of life. Imagination is what allows us to celebrate literature and art.”

The first issue of The Bluestocking appeared in 1983–84 school year to showcase student writing created both in and outside the classroom. Its name honours the three influential (and very strong-willed) women who founded a club called The Blue Stocking Circle in 1750s London to encourage literary conversation. The Bluestocking was the inspiration of English teacher Rosemary Corbett, who later became head of the English department and Vice-Principal. Havergal’s centennial was a banner year for a great many reasons, but one of those was the reception The Bluestocking received in the wider world. In 1994, the issue won two

“September” The Bluestocking , 1994

In 2016–17, the magazine became a project of the Grade 12 Writers’ Craft classes, with students in that course soliciting material from the Middle and Senior Schools, selecting and editing the pieces and preparing the magazine for publication. Students now produce two versions of the literary journal: one for Grades 7 to 9, the other for Grades 10 to 12.

The Bluestocking Covers Through the Years

Kneesocks The first issue of Kneesocks appeared in 1988–89 as a companion to The Bluestocking . The annual magazine has been known by the bright yellow covers it bore for years and for its disarmingly engaging pieces of poetry, fiction and non-fiction by Havergal’s youngest writers.

Kneesocks Covers Through the Years

The Bluestocking cover, 2016.

144  HAVERGAL COLLEGE