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

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LONDON NORMAL SCHOOL Today when you espy the London Normal School, you see an architectural triumph set in a city-block of emerald-green turf, bordered by lofty and majestic trees; a red brick building sur- rounded by beds of shrubs and flowers, with grey cement walks running out to the street, from its three entrances. In the Summer of 1899, you would have seen a level expanse of growing grain waving in the breezes. A few weeks later, the peaceful scene would be changed — men with teams and scrapers would be at work and excavations begun for the building of a Normal School — London Normal School. On an extremely cold day, the second Tuesday of February in the year 1900, classes were begun. While students listened to lectures, carpenters worked on the unfinished auditorium and third floor. The hundred students assembled alternately in the east room or the west room of the second floor to hear lectures on English, physics, algebra, or grammar by Dr. Merchant, the princi- pal; or lectures on school management, reading, writing, history, geography, nature study, by the vice-principal, Dr. Dearness, who is still alive. Mr. Evans gave instruction in music, S. K. David- son in art, and Dr. C. L. T. Campbell in hygiene, also. To gain entrance in 1899, it was necessary to have a certificate of moral character, training in a Model School, one year ' s experience in teaching and an inspector ' s certificate of recommenda- tion. Then Middle School graduates or Upper School graduates were admitted to Normal School; the former secured second-class certificates, the latter first-class certificates. The course was of six months duration — from January to July and from July to December. Many changes were inaugurated during the ensuing years. Beginning in September 1903, a year at Normal School was required. In 1925, however, the course was extended to two years. A student came to school for one year in order to secure an Interim Certificate on which he could teach for four years. On the satisfactory recommendation of his inspector, the interim teacher would return to Normal School for a second year ' s training in order to secure a permanent cer- tificate. This method lasted for only three years, as Mitchell Hepburn abolished the two-year course when he became Premier. In 1930 the minimum entrance requirement for a Normal School was raised to Upper School graduation, the present requirement. A permanent certificate can be obtained by a year at Univer- sity or the equivalent credits. Today ' s competent staff consists of Dr. C. E. Mark, Principal, who lectures on science of education, religious education and spelling; Dr. G. W. Hofferd, who lec- tures on methodology of science, agriculture and horticulture, nature study, grammar and composi- tion; Mr. J. G. McEachern, who lectures on methodology of literature, reading, and social studies; and Mr. R. H. Roberts, who lectures on school management, methodology of arithmetic, primary education, algebra and geometry. Special instruction is given in home economics and health by Miss G. Conover; in art and writing by Miss D. Emery; in manual training by Mr. A. F. Hagerman; in music by Miss R. Mcllroy; in library methods by Miss L. Gahan; and in physical education by Miss W. R. Prendergast. Down through the years, the requirements for admission, the length of the course and life at Normal School in general have greatly changed for the elementary school teacher. However, the prestige of the London Norman School has but increased with the years. RUTH BROWNLEE, KATHERINE WOOD. Page Twenty-one

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URBAN SCHOOL CRITIC TEACHERS RURAL SCHOOL CRITIC TEACHERS Miss Clara Tupper Miss Edna Lancaster Miss Muriel Lancaster Miss Isabel McLeish Miss Gladys Morris Miss M. E. MacVicar Mr. Beverley Collier Miss Edna Rae Miss Lena Dunn Miss Pearl Elliott Mr. W. D. Sutton, M.A., B.Psed. Mrs. Helen Paterson Miss Joan Hatherell Mr. Leslie Pickles Mrs. Helena SherrifF Mrs. Laura S. Bawden Miss Jean McLachlan Mr. W. G. Rigney Mr. W. B. Springett Miss M. Jean Patterson Miss Frances B. Stephens HIGH SCHOOL CRITIC TEACHERS Mr. W. C. Johnson, B.A. Mr. W. F. Langford, M.A. Mr. H. A. Stewart, B.A. Mr. W. E. Shales, M.A., B.Psed. Mr. D. H. Strangways, B.A. Miss L. Kathleen Dolan, M.A. Mr. R. J. Blake, B.A. Mr. Carl G. Chapman, B.A. VISITORS The 1945-1946 term at London Normal School was studded with visits from many distin- guished men and women. Our visitors were: Dr. H. Amoss, Director of Professional Training; Mr. F. Bartlett, Director of Physical Education; Miss M. Bartlett, from the Junior Red Cross; Mr. Clarke, who lectured on the beautification of home and school grounds; Mr. Davies, Inspector of Agriculture; Mr. Fenwick, Supervisor of Music; Mr. Humphries, who showed us movies on views of Canada; Mr. Hutton, from Queen ' s University; Dr. Kingston, from Western University; Martha Logan, who gave us a demonstration on meat cookery; Dr. C. E. Mark, Jr., Scientist, who worked on the atomic bomb; Mr. McCamus, of the Board of Governors of the Teachers ' Federation of Ontario; the late Dr. E. McKone, Principal of Peterborough Normal School; Mr. McRonald, London Fire Chief; Mrs. Richards, representative of the Home and School Club; Mr. W. Stanley, from the National Film Board; Dr. Stearns, from McMaster University; Dr. Struthers, Inspector of Auxiliary Classes; and others. KATHERINE WOOD. Page Twenty

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1 The UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO London - Canada SUMMER SCHOOL, JULY 1st to AUGUST 10th, 1946 1. Courses for the Permanent First Class Certificate. 2. Courses for the General B.A. Degree. 3. Courses for the new B.A. Course for teachers of elementary schools. This has received the hearty approval of the Department of Education. It in- cludes special options in: — Art Astronomy Psychology Music English Dramatics Handicrafts Home Economics Public Health Rural Sociology Speech Correction Nature Study Community Organization Educational Counselling Physical Education Secretarial Science (Typewriting) Geography Remedial and Efficient Reading ■■■Included in the Summer Program of 1940. 4. Special Course in Community Leadership (Department of Education and Adult Education Board), July 22nd to August 2nd. 5. French and Basic English Courses, July 4th to August 21st, at Trois-Pistoles, Quebec. NOTE: No previous reading required before beginning courses in Summer School. Examinations held during last two days of Summer School — leaving remainder of holidays entirely free from university work. Excellent camping facilities, including electricity and hot and cold showers, on University grounds. Enthusiastic social and athletic program. For information write to DR. H. R. KINGSTON, Director of Summer School University of Western Ontario, London, Canada Page Twenty-two