Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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A Tribute to the Late Miss Grace Fairley, M.A. N FEBRUARY ist there passed away at her home in Edinburgh, after a short illness, one who was long and closely connected with the educational work of this city. Miss Grace Fairley was appointed Principal of the Trafalgar Institute in 1887. For family reasons she was unable to come to Montreal for the opening of school in September; her place was therefore supplied till the New Year, when she assumed her duties as Principal. The school began with a few pupils, but under her wise management it grew rapidly, and in igo2, a new day school was erected adjoining the original commodious building, which had served as residence and day school. When Miss Fairley retired in igi?, that building also was filled to overflowing. Her resignation was a matter of deep regret, not only to the Governors of the school but to the Staff and pupils as well. Her removal from Montreal to her home in Edinburgh was a great loss to the community, for her scholarship and sterling qualities were known and appreciated by all. The Rev. Dr. Barclay of St. Paul ' s Presbyterian Church, at whose request she accepted the position of Principal of the school, was her triend as well as her Minister, and he had a great admira ' tion for her wide knowledge and her administrative ability. She was a Presbyterian, the daughter of a Minister of the Church of Scotland, and was a member of St. Paul ' s Presbyterian Church for more than twenty-five years. Many will remember her, sitting with her group of girls, at the front of the Church, every Sunday morning and evening. When she retired, her old pupils were anxious to establish a memorial in her name, as she would not accept a personal gift, and collected money for what was to have been the Grace Fairley Scholarship. It was characteristic of her that she refused to allow her name to appear, so that the scholarship which should have borne her name was called the Trafiilgar Scholarship, and as such it is awarded annually to the pupil of Trafalgar who obtains the highest percentage in the McGill University Matriculation Examinations. Miss Fairley kept in close touch with her friends in Montreal, and when her old girls visited Edinburgh, they always made a point of seeing her, and counted it a great pleasure and privilege to meet her again. Her influence is still felt in the school, and many women of position and influence, in the city and elsewhere, look back with deep gratitude to the early training they received from her, and the high ideals she set before them, by precept and example. She was not only mindful of the girls but of all those who served her in any capacity. Many old servants of the school, could tell of help sent to them regularly all the years she has been away from Montreal; even last December when she was so very ill, an old pensioner ' s gift was not for ' gotten. The school was her life — other things took a secondary place. Her name will long be a household word in the homes of many of her old girls. In the words of Browning she was One who never turned her back, but marched breast forward. The Lord and Master of us all would surely say to her, Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Martha L. Brown. [17]

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they could help, so far as classes were concerned — perhaps such are not unknown even now! — it would be unjust to pass over those who gave not only promise but fulfilment, and who afforded that supreme satisfaction to the teacher, the satisfaction of having helped in the opening of a good mind. And though this is a message to the girls, for that very reason I do not forget my past colleagues; there were always among them those who, apart altogether from professional work, constantly and gallantly upheld by word and action the really great things for which schools are supposed to stand. One cannot mention names of these; but in calling up memory of the past, there is one name that should not be omitted, because it suggests nothing but strong helpfulness from the very first, and never-failing interest, the name of Dr. Barclay. I never feel very far away. I am writing in perilous and critical days, when one cannot see far ahead, and the only thing quite certain is that we must all, old and young, deny ourselves in every way, and do all the work that we can ; we must live up to the sacrifices that have been made for us, and for the life and freedom of the world. But perhaps sometime I may see my old friends and my old haunts again. Meanwhile, I bid them all, the people and place alike, hail and farewell. Grace Fairley. Edinburgh, loth April, 1918. Letter from the Hon. Cairine Wilson No FORMER PUPIL of Trafalgar who had had the privilege of knowing Miss Fairley could fail to be deeply moved by the announcement this week that she had gone from among us. Her personality made such a lasting impression that to-day, after a lapse of thirty years, I wonder sometimes what Miss Fairley would have counselled. In every one of us Miss Fairley took a personal interest and had an extraordinary insight into characters and all their good points and their weaknesses. It was a joy to be welcomed each morning by the Principal, who stood at the head of the stairs, with a few words of cheery greeting. We knew of Miss Fairley ' s great love of flowers, of animals, small children and all the precious gifts of nature. Each changing season had its beauties, which she wished us to understand and appreciate. We knew, even then, that Miss Fairley was a real scholar and highly learned in the classics, but there was nothing of the pedant about her, nor did she want us to study for the simple purpose of passing examinations. There were times when we came to the class room eager to display what we had laboriously acquired, but on those days our teacher would close the books and we were asked to talk of other things. What a stimulus to hear her speak about the great topics of present and past times, and to be encouraged to express our own thoughts also! These hours were precious even in our careless youth. Never did we feel that Miss Fairley would be willing to sacrifice an ideal for any reason whatsoever, nor that she would be satisfied to let us take the easier way. My own three years under her guidance will ever remain a precious memory, and we can pay no higher tribute to her merit than by endeavouring to uphold the principles which she cherished. [ 16]

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Impressions of the Memorial Service (By a Present Girl) IT WAS on the twentythird of February, a beautiful clear, cold day, that the pupils of Trafalgar had the great privilege of attending the memorial service for Miss Grace Fairley, former Principal of the school. It was held in the Hall of the new Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, and was a very short and simple service. The spotless new hall looked very pleasant with the bright winter sunshine streaming in through the large windows. Beautifully-arranged baskets of flowers stood at the edge of the platform, and their delicate colouring and fragrance seemed to foretell the coming of spring. There was a large attendance, and the hall was soon filled with friends and former pupils of Miss Fairley ' s, as well as with the teachers and pupils of Trafalgar. The service began with the singing of The Lord ' s My Shepherd. Then the prayers were led by Dr. Donald, minister of the church. Immediately following the prayers Miss Fairley ' s favourite hymn was sung by one of the members of the church choir. Dr. Donald then read letters received from Senator Cairine Wilson and Miss Brown, a former teacher of Trafalgar. By means of these letters the girls who had not known Miss Fairley personally learnt something about her. By the time Dr. Donald had finished reading the letter from Miss Fairley herself to Miss Gumming, the girls all felt that they really knew her. This letter was printed in our magazine of 1918. Miss Fairley was Principal of Trafalgar for twentysix years, and during that time she did much for the advancement of the school. She retired in 1913, and lived in Edinburgh until her death on the first day of February, 1932. But although she was so far away, her thoughts were ever with the school, and she was always eager to hear of its activities. S he seemed very near to us indeed when we heard the references in her letter to the familiar spots about the house and garden. We are told she was a great lover of nature, and believed that there are many more things to be learned than just what is printed in text books. She looked upon nature as a great teacher, from whom one might learn many valuable things if one only would. From the letters read we see that she was a real companion to her girls and took a great interest in all their activi ' ties. She was sympathetic, patient and gentle. They took all their little troubles to her, con- fident of receiving comfort and helpful advice. Briefly, she was their Guide, Teacher and Friend. As the girls filed out after the service was over, it is probable that each girl carried away with her in her heart her own little picture of Mis s Fairley. The very simplicity of the service served to heighten the feeling of respect and devotion for her, as perhaps a more elaborate service might not have done. The letters, too, made it almost seem as if she were present. And this should make us all realize what a wonderful thing our magazine is. For without it we might never have been able to hear Miss Fairley s letter, and thus never have enjoyed those few precious moments with a woman who had sacrificed everything for her life ' s work. Betty Forrest. [ 18]