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

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I What of Our Canada? XYe are all breathlessly awaiting news of the collapse of Germany, the ultimate end of heart-ache, anxiety, suffering and toil for many people, Arising from this, there is much planning and many suggestions for our future Canada and future world. Many of us are dreaming of that world and picturing it, a world where in short justice and the four freedoms prevail. a world based on the wondrous Sermon on the Mount. Some argue that this world will never be. No dream or ideal is ever completely rea- lized. Or, if it is, that ideal is unworthy of us. XYe belittle ourselves in planning it for it has not been placed high enough. A man's reach must exceed his grasp. Our desire should be to strive unceasingly, to stretch forth our hands farther and farther so that our dream of a true Canada, where justice and truth are supreme, maybe realized. It will not be easy. VVorthwhile things are never easy to achieve. Thus, as the battle dies and the guns are stilled, when the work of some has Hnished, the duty, the privilege of service for others-for us will commence, and our day will dawn in the building of a new and better Canada, a new and better world. XVe should strive for better in- ternational relations. This is necessary and inevitable if wars are to be removed from the face of the earth. However, before we are enabled to understand others, we must first understand ourselves. Thus, let us think of Canada, of her past, of her future, so that our privileges and duties may be clarified. Canada-that vast, spacious and beauteous country-our country. Are not our hearts stilled and struck with awe when we think of her splendours of hill and vale, her blue sky, her quiet countrysides. the peace and contentment prevailing within her walls? In many respects the old axiom is true, that, as has been the past, so will the tendency be for the future. Many have failed, forgetting that the past has gone, the present is with us, and so to speak, has its innings for to-day. Yet the future alone is fraught with unlimited possibili- ties. Lessons learned from the lessons of the past should be constructive guiding posts for the future. This is true of Canada. Much of the past of Canada has been glorious, some has been failure. Vllhen America broke all ties with Great Britain and became a free country, Canada remained true as did many people in the United States. These people were forced to wind their way to Canada, among unbelievable hardships and difhculties. They did not falter. They have been a wonderful blessing to Canadian life and a source from which many of our best statesmen have come. Confederation in 1867 was in itself a great movement, so much so that politicians are loath to tamper with it and improve it. Yet we must remember that Canada is still young, not yet one hundred years of age. How can we expect her to be perfect with all obstacles removed? Vilhat nation has not undergone conflict in its birth and growth? It is quite evident, however, that Canada has leaped into recognition in the world during the last few years. Canada is a nation composed of all races. having an important geographical position and marvellous productive abilities. She is blessed with raw materials and mineral wealth of unbelievable magnitude. Above all, she is blessed with preponderance of blood that recognizes the merits of Christianity and what it has done for other peoples, as well as how the lack of it has darkened the lives of other peoples. Thus, I believe Canada's future is rich and endowed with great justified hope for even greater progress in the future than in the past. In this great progress of Canada's future we, as teachers of the men and women of to- morrow, are honoured in our task of htting and preparing young Canadians that they might live in close relationship with other nations and peoples as close friends and neighbours. In so doing, let us make evident the glory of our Canada and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it. Let us be thankful for these blessings and share them with the less fortunate in all countries, as well as those found in Canada. May we realize that of this heritage and these wonders of wealth, beauty and opportunity that have been granted us are ignored, if they are not given a chance to grow, if they are not appreciated, but buried in the sand, we may find them taken away as the talents were of old. The decision rests on us and future generations. VVe know what this decision will be Our Canada will grow true, strong and just, our world will live in peace and happiness, thriving in the joy of work and love-the joy of living. Vile shall always remember Churchill's voice, deep and determined, while ahead a dark and unknown path loomed as he uttered the words that shall live forever- VVe shall not fail. Now, as victory is nearing, as our future path is again unknown, let us, believing in our task, withfconfidence, hope and above all faith, keep whispering those never dying words, We shall not ail. JUNE F. LEE. Pu ge Twenty-two

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Star Gazing at Western U On March the 12th, between the hours of 7 and ll, the Normal students of '45 found their various ways to the lyestern Observatory. The night air was chill and clear. echoing such interrogations as XX here is it? and XVhere do we go from here? Finally we viewed its small domed shape ahead and we were greeted by cheers of fellow' students who had been more fortunate in Ending their way. As our eyes became accustomed to the brightly-lighted room we saw Dr. Hofferd and Kliss Conover demonstrating a few of the mysteries of the sky with the planitarium. This illustrated on a smaller scale the relationship of the various planets to the sun, and how they all, like the earth. rotate around the sun. XYhen we climbed to the dome we gazed around us in the gloom. l-lveryhody seemed to be everywhere, but finally we distinguished a line slowly moving to mount a ladder and gaze through the telescope. Twinkle, twinkle. little star. How I wonder what you are llp above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. From the telescope they would proceed to the roof to scan the heavens with the naked eye or by a smaller telescope. Through the large telescope we observed Saturn and its rings, the crescent of Venus, and the brilliance of big jupiter. The answer to our many inquiries concerning Venus is that it has phases just as does our moon. This was all we could see of our Solar System. On the roof, through the smaller telescope, we again gazed at Saturn, jupiter, and the Pleiades of Taurus. Those who were waiting for use of the telescope scanned the skies with the naked eye for Pleiades or the Seven Sisters shaped like a small dipper, and Orion, the mighty hunter, with the three bright stars of his belt and two dogs following him: Taurus, whose head forms a V, and the shoulder marked by Pleiades, the Heavenly Twins, at whose feet Saturn rested: Draco found between the big and little dipper, and Leo whose head is marked by a sickle-shaped group of stars. Because of the interesting sky studies with Dr. I-Iofferd and this penetrating outing to the observatory we believe that the Normal Students will now adopt the following new version of the old poem: Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Now, I know just what you are: XYhen into the midnight sky, lYe, the spectroscope apply. The only new star discovered was by Barry Moore, who found it on the ceiling of Brescia Hall. VVe extend our thanks to the University and to Dr. Hofferd, for this opportunity. BI-IRNICI-Q WENIG. MURIEL ROGERS. In gardening, always first plan the layout The problem method of teaching focuses on paper and then plant accordingly. attention, stimulates interest, and requires , ,, , thinking and expression. Remember to use your primary reading ' chart. That is what you made it forl Art likeScience teach pupils to beobservant. i X 3 if if if Recall how we worked out the incubation Corporal punishment should not be used project. Go thou and do likewise. too frequently in schools. Page Twerzly-urze

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720-ebay, THE NORMAL LIFE Why did I come to Normal School? My friends and neighbours askg And many times I'ye wondered why I tackled such a task. So many people do not know What goes to make a teacher, At Normal School they make no bout They'll make you a new creature. In Household Science, we did learn To scallop our tomatoes, And every girl did surely yearn lfor men, and peeling 'tatot-s. Science and Lit. were heaps of fun. The masters talked of beauty: Doc. I-Iolterd kept us on the spot, And Cupie did his duty. On Monday mornings, oh 'twas hard To keep our eyes propped wide, ll'hile Doctor Mark went on and on ll'e only groaned and sighed. Miss Emery had a hard, hard task To teach us how to draw, And even though she did her best Good art she never saw. In Manual Training we did learn just how to wield a hammer, Pop Hagerman was always swell, And didn't mind our grammar. Up in the gymn we stood up straight And still had lots of fun. llc wished to be agile as she. Our teacher-what a hon! The library was always full Uf laughing happy folk, Miss Gahan had her troubles, But she always saw the joke. I think the dream of all of us Is just to have a chance To teach a model lesson, And before the critics, prance, Some time we'll all be out of here, And what a joyous day, lVc-'ll teach the kids, and for a change We'll have the final say! B12'r'rv XVI-II'l'li. A Being on the Year Book Staff corrects dawdling habits. See them producing during the eleventh hour ! BEFORE AND AFTER That certain day on the twelfth of September Bring back memories dear, Because that was the day if I can remember That I arrived right here. There weren't the stately limousines Nor handsome guards bellowing calls, lfor all I saw, it apparently seems, lYere red bricks, shiny floors and empty halls. All has changed, and not by chances, Because we worked hardamid bloodand sweat . But to keep up morale we had some dances. Where the girl with a dragnet' was met. Many moons have Hoated by Since we were just ordinary creatures. But now the time is drawing nigh When we will be fullslledged Teachers. Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture JACK Nl1AI.li, JUST PICTURE Ralph Lucas without those hlushes, Barry Moore without those crushes: jack Neale not teasing girls. Bruce Sitler with long blonde curls, Don Squire playing a church organ, Bill Speake without Mabel Morgan: Bob Reid speaking loud enough, the whole bunch, not thinking they're tough. Put them together and what have you got? 1945 teachers-the men of the lot. IRNA Ctfuxmt TO LYN I love the birds that sing at dawn, I love the soft cool breeze, I love all Nature's tiny folk That scamper o'er the leas. I love the sun high up above, I love the sky of blue: But best of all things I love It's you, my dear, just you. RALPH E. Lctpxs. A GIRL I think that I shall never see A girl refuse a meal that's free: A girl who doesn't turn an eye At every male that's passing by: A girl who doesn't like to wear An ox-eye-daisy in her hair, But girls are loved by fools like me, For who the heck would smooch a tree? BILL SPEAKIQ. Page Twenly-lliree