Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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My Dear Girls, It is now many years since I first became your Principal, and as the time draws near for me to say good-bye to Elmwood, I feel that I should write you a special message of farewell. Instead, I fear that this letter is going to be a collection of disjointed thoughts and reminiscences, because I find myself thinking back through the years of all the memories that we have shared, of all the happy times we have had here, and of all that we have tried to do together for Elmwood. I wonder if those of you who knew me in 1920 ever suspected how full of trepidation I was at the big task I had undertaken. I was a very raw Head Mistress in those days and rather frightened of everybody, but I hope that I was at least clever enough not to let you know that. For one thing, I wished that I had been many inches taller so that I could look the part better. I recall particularly one occasion when the grandmother of one of you, whom I had not previously met, came to the school. As I went to

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' SUCCESS IS NAUGHT; ENDEAVOUR ' S ALL — Broivnina SAMARA JUNE, 1951 ELMWOOD FROM THE GROUNDS

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SAMARA 3 meet her with a welcoming hostess sort of smile, she looked down upon me and said somewhat austerely, I should like to see the Principal, Mrs. Buck ,— or words to that effect! I never felt more inadequate! Well,— that was a long time ago. Since then I have learned to be less frightened of grandmothers— also of school girls. I still think, however, (I can give away this secret now) that it was your critical appraisal which required more living up to than anything else, and you have taught me much. When I go from Elmwood there are so many things that I shall miss; most of all perhaps will be the Morning Assembly for prayers. I have never ceased to feel the peculiar thrill which facing you all gathered before me each morning gives. There always came to me, and I hope to you, a sense of renewal and strength from that service which brought us together to start the day with the worship of God. It will be one of my most lasting and precious memories. My warm gratitude goes out to all of you in that long succession of girls who have made the walls of this place ring with your gay laughter and brought so much happiness into my life. I want to thank all the many who have remembered me with a happy greeting year after year at Christmas, and at many other times. My great regret is that I was not able to write a note of thanks to each one of you, but I look forward to having much more leisure in the near future to do things which I have perforce omitted to do in the past. This I think might be a good place to say hopefully that my new address will be 99 Kenora Street, Ottawa. I trust that many of you will find your way there. I do not need to add how warmly you will be welcomed. Before closing, there are a few special thoughts I should like to leave with you. One is that Canada ' s contribution to history will depend upon the loyalties and ideals of her people. It will depend largely upon what you and the generati on to which you belong can contribute. What we give to life is the measure of what we shall get in return. I should ask you all, Old Girls and present girls alike, to keep ever in mind that the school is so much greater than any one or all of us. We who have taken a part in its fashioning can have no greater privilege than to continue to serve it in every way that lies within our power. The true prizes of life are not material advantages, but honour, influence, and opportunities for usefulness with the power to be of service to others. I hope that your years at Elmwood will have set your feet on the path that will lead to the achievement of these things, and that you have found Elmwood, as I have, a place rich and pleasant in companionship where we have sought together for the things which are true and lovely and of good report , where we have learned the beauty of service, fellowship, and fair play. May the seeds planted here come to a happy flowering in your Affectionately yours,