Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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UitnrUl ALL of us at Trafalgar are keenly aware of the great loss the school will sustain in the retirement of Miss Janet L. Gumming. At the same time we wish her every happiness in the future. For twenty-three years Miss Gumming has devoted herself to Trafalgar teachers and pupils, and with untiring energy has sought to help each one. Her sympathy, encourage- ment, and understanding have been felt by all the girls who have ever come under her care, and none will forget the interest she has taken in them. The pupils of Trafalgar will continue to be influenced by her high ideals and attempt to live up to the standards she set, for the school will never cease to remember her capable but kindly hand. With the commencement of war in September few thought that Trafalgar would register its vibrations in the form of personal, perilous experiences. Unfortunately the torpedoed Athenia carried three of our mistresses. Miss Rushton, Miss Donkersley and Miss Roper. For a few days we waited anxiously for news and were greatly relieved when we heard of their safety, although we regretted to learn that Miss Donkersley and Miss Roper would not be returning to School. We were also disappointed that Miss Turner did not come back. These teachers had in many ways won the respect, admira- tion and love of Trafalgar and we were indeed sorry to lose them. In their places we have welcomed Mrs. Basset, Miss Harvie, an Old Girl who had been studying at Oxford, Miss Jackson and Miss Box who although delayed in crossing from England because of the war, soon took things in hand and was able to present the usual Gym Demonstration. Apart from this war experience School has continued much as usual. Miss Alice Johannsen, an Old Girl, spoke to us on Early Races in Ganada and gave us a new realiza- tion of the interest than can be found in studying the treasures which belonged to Ganada ' s early history and which now lie in museums. The ideals of the Oxford Group movement were brought to us in a moving picture and Bishop Fleming told us of the fine work and present need of the Eskimos in the Arctic. Dr. Donald and Archdeacon [20]

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sorrow that it has never felt before, and also, I think its greatest loss. Miss Gumming said that she will be very sorry to leave us but that she will be glad to live her own life. We agree with her wholeheartedly and we wish her the best of luck and happiness in the years that are before her. B. S. From a Father and a Grandfather As a father and grandfather of her pupils it has been my privilege to know Miss Gumming, first through her connection with Miss Knox at Havergal School in Toronto where my daughter was under her tuition. Here I had my first insight into the mind and character of this great teacher. I say great because in these days, un- fortunately, so few teachers are able to combine in themselves fine scholarship and ability to impart knowledge, with that strong brave spirit of service and justice which every teacher must have to be considered great . Arnold had it and Thring and many others of their period. I consider Miss Gumming as one of the few who have caught their torch and handed it on to the benefit of so many hundreds of girls who at Havergal and Trafalgar came under the influence of this fine woman. As a parent I was by no means unconscious of the deep spirituality underlying the mere teacher in Miss Gumming, and not only I and her mother, but our daughter herself has been very grateful for all the inspiration she has received from her. And now for some years my granddaughter has been under Miss Gumming as Principal of Trafalgar. I have followed the teaching and mental and spiritual growth of this child very closely, having had leisure to do so, and I have been amazed at the intimate knowledge that the principal of this big school has had at all times, not only of the progress of the one child in whom I have been interested, but in each and every girl in the school. When I say progress I mean perhaps least of all book-and-examination progress, although we all know of the School ' s fine record under Miss Gumming. What has pleased me beyond words has been the quiet, unobstrusive watching at all times for the spiritual needs and growth of the child, that growth which can be made or marred in a big school by a head-mistress who is working for examination results more than char- acter development and one who is content often to play more to material requirements of Boards or Parents rather than to make the girls ' spiritual future her chief aim. I am sure I am voicing the thanks of hundreds of parents in what I have here written, and feel that this is but a small tribute we can pay to Miss Gumming for all she has done for our girls. May she have many years in which to enjoy the relaxation she has so thoroughly deserved. F. W. [19]

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Gower-Rees were again oiir visitors, friends and counsellors as in the past and we are grateful to them for their help and interest. This year music has played an important part in our lives due to large extent to the Victrola and Radio which the Old Girls so kindly presented to the School. It is impossible to thank them enough for the enjoyment it has given us, but if they were to see the gatherings in the drawing room on Wednesday afternoons they would be able to realize more fully our appreciation. This gift also seems to have deepened our interest not only in our own school choir practices but in the Quebec Musical Compe- tition in which the whole school successfully competed. The Houses too have had an eventful year, and one in which the plan that the house system was founded on has been realized. With sewing and knitting for a com- mon cause, spelling bees, basketball games, photographic and musical competitions, a real spirit of comradeship has sprung up between the girls throughout the school. Neither did we lag behind in sports. Both our basketball teams won their Cups. The skiing representatives also carried away the honours in a successful day up North, under the kind supervision of the Penguins. We thank all those who have contributed and helped in the putting together of this magazine, not only those of the Editorial Staff and accepted contributors but also those whose offerings may not have been accepted. PREFECTS Janet Hamilton Allana Reid Shirley Walker Theodora Hubbell Nancy McKean Head Prefect: Lyn Berens Norma Osler Betty Curran Mary Stewart Jean Donnelly Mary Pickup Judith O ' Halloran Nancy Taylor Peggy Clarke Grace Wurtele Isabella Wurtele THE GRIER CUP The Grier Cup, awarded to the most public-spirited of the Senior Girls, who at the same time has maintained a high standard of conduct and shown devotion to her work, was won in 1939 by Jane Elliot. THE FORSYTH CUP The Forsyth Cup, awarded to the Senior Girl who has made the most of her oppor- tunities, showing herself friendly and helpful to all, was given last June to Marylin Mechin. INTER-HOUSE TROPHY The Inter-House Shield, presented by Mrs. Wynne Robinson, was awarded last June to Riddell House. [21]