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

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The Class of '41 k9qlILTl-IOUGH the Normal School attendance during the past year has been rather small, we feel that the class of '41 has been distinguished by quality if not by quantity. Its members have revealed at one time or another all the social and academic qualifications of the successful teacher. Many times during a visit to a practicefschool we have heard praise of other students' work. Often the centre of interest in the classroom, a mural, a display of art or constructionfwork, was found, upon enquiry, to have been done upon the Wednesday or Thursday afternoon of a preceding week. Not only did the students Cas we were fondly known to practicefteachers and their pupilsj produce fine work, worthy of excellent marks, they succeeded in leaving with the practicefteacher an impression of enthusiasm and capability, with the children an atmosphere of friendliness and cofoperation. Many a ustudentf' walking down the street after schoolfhours has been pleasantly surprised to meet with a cheery greeting from children whom he had taught in a practicefschool some time before. Practicefteaching, however, important though it was, represented only one phase of studentflife. The Normalites were equally successful in their social relations within and without the school. The everfpresent spirit of friendliness was most noticeable ubetween periods, as the classes met in the corridors for a few moments relaxation before a new lecture. After school' hours, or during spare periods the students might be found in the library. Here industry and cofoperation abounded, as the teachersfinftraining enf thusiastically prepared their own lessons or solved the difficulties of some fellow' student. Reprimands and infractions of rules were few and far between. The atmosphere was one of friendliness rather than of discipline. The response to such afterfhours activities as Miss Prendergast's social evening and the school parties was wholefhearted and enthusiastic. Despite their industry the L'41's are not to be imagined as a group of soberffaced, pedantic young schoolfteachers. They often laughed, indeed, they were not above playing a joke upon the masters who, in turn, seldom failed to flavour their lectures with a touch of humour. Nor was the students' sense of humour forthcoming only when the ioke was upon someone else. lt always turned up in time to save the most serious of situationsg disputes between the students were very few, little sympathy was shown the person who carried a grudge. Talent revealed itself constantly throughout the year, in music. vocal and instrumental, in oratory, in art. Originality was the kevfnote of work prof duced in the Normal School. Not least important was a talent for leadership of community activities displayed by those who organized such school activities as the operetta, the banquet, and the social evenings. Punctuality, honesty, tolerance, cheerfulness, the enquiring mindg all these qualities were displayed by this year's Normalites. 'Twould, of course, be gross exaggeration to claim that each student possessed all these line qualities, but each and every one of these attributes was well represented in the student body as a whole. May the clase of '41 find their years of teaching as enjoyable, as profitable, as successful as they have found this year in the London Normal School' Pige E glir