London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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To the Graduating Class of I937 ' i938: YOU will recall the famous tale, The Forty Thieves, in which the hero, AH Baba, overheard the magic formula which gave him entrance to the robbers ' cave. He had just to speak the secret password, Open sesame, ' ' to be admitted to the treasure house. He had obtained the master key to all the robbers ' store of gold and jewels. Before you start upon your new career, I wish to offer you a master key which will admit you to the greatest treasures that the world can give. This magic key is represented by a little English word. To what it signifies you owe all that you have so far achieved ; to it must be ascribed whatever you accomp- lish in the future. The possession of this master key makes all things possible to each of you ; the lack of it makes life a dreary waste of barren hopes. Through it alone the great men of the past attained the heights toward which they strove. It is the open sesame to every door of real success in every field of effort. It makes the stupid clever; it makes the clever brilliant; it makes the brilliant steady. To you as teachers it will prove a healing balm in solitude and loneliness; it will make your classroom practice more effective; it will secure for you a tangible reward in quick promotion to a higher post; and it will give you when the day is done that sense of satisfaction which constitutes the best of life ' s rewards. This magic master key is WORK. V. J. Karr, Director of Professional Training. Department of Education, Toronto, May 2, 1938. Page Five

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To the Class of 1938 IT has been a matter of frequent comment among the various members of the staff that this class has earned a reputation for courtesy, amiability, and a splendid school spirit throughout. This is something to be proud of. It is evidence of characteristics which, combined with rea- sonable intelligence, and reasonable application, should carry you far. If you can awaken and foster this same fine spirit in your pupils, you will have made no small contribution to Canadian citizenship. Our blessing goes with you in this endeavour. C. E. MARK, B.A., D. Paed., Principal. School Management, Methodology of Geography and Spelling. YOU are on the threshold of a new world. In it may you ever continue to cultivate that cheerful and sincere outlook which we tried to foster in you at Normal. Teaching is a great adventure, and when its problems perplex you, Go forth under the open sky, and list To Nature ' s teaching. Her wonders and beauty will give you release. The experience of observation and reflection will renew ability to cultivate the highest and best in the capacity of pupils. Your responsibility ' is to sow seeds of kindness, to deveiop citizens of high ideals, and to cultivate the attitude of re- lating cause and effect. Success in these things depends upon your studious habits, common sense and good will. While the earth remaineth seed time and harvest shall not jail. G. W. HOFFERL), M.A., D.Paed. Methodology of Science, Agriculture and Horticulture, Nature Study. A RECENT biographer says of the great headmasters of the English Public Schools, These men were great teachers because they were great personalities. You are entering a field of endeavor that should enrich your personality. You will participate in worth-while efforts, both in and out of school; you will widen your contacts with nature, science, and art; and you will associate with the best minds, not only of the past, but also of your own time and place. And only as you yourselves continue to develop can you give that leadership that will help each pupil to realize his own best self. T. E. CLARKE, B.A., B.Paed. Science of Education, Methodology of Grammar and Composition. AS a parting message, in the words of the prophet of old, I say unto you, strengthen the things that do remain. While so many human beings to-day are seeking after material things which at best are transitory and non-satisfying, it behooves the teacher to look to his fortifications, and greatly strengthen them. Of these your appreciation of literature and reading, which is largely in the incipient stage, must inevitably decay unless nourished by fre- quent recourse to the works of the great masters. It is here where you will find those things that are most satisfying and that make for permanency, and where your appreciation of the best to be found in books will be enlarged. Strengthen the things that do remain. J. G. McEACHERN, B.A.. B.Paed. Advanced English, Methodology of Literature, Reading and History. WE are living in an age when everything is standardized and the great danger that youth faces is that of becoming acceptors of standards and of losing the power of making in- dependent decisions. Teachers should be leaders of thought, not mere followers. They best serve themselves, their classes, their country, even the world, when they learn to form their own ideals, make their own decisions, and train their pupils to do the same. E. H. McKONE, B.A., B.Paed. School Management, Methodology of Arithmetic, Primary Reading, Algebra and Geometry. Page Seven