Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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DR. JOAN M. V. FOSTER Principal of Trafalgar School for Girls 1940 - 1965 Died March 18, 1969 An excerpt from the prayer by Dr. R.J. Berlis at Dr. Foster ' s funeral: . . . We remember that Joan Foster, Teacher, Scholar, Friend, was bom to a proud heritage of patriotism and public service, and that she brought fresh honour to the same. We remember that she was a perceptive scholar, that not only did she teach history but she understood history — its inexorable lessons, its stern warnings. We remember that across many years she was the wise Principal of a splendid school, that she brought to staff and students alike priceless gifts: vigour of mind, strength of character, invincible moral courage. We remember that she was our friend, reassuring yet realistic, who punc- tured our pretensions, who scolded us for our obtuseness, and who, in her luminous integrity, refused to suffer fools gladly. We remember that for us she made life more de- lightful and more intelligible. Within this Church dedicated to St. George — intrepid slayer of a dragon — we remember how many dragons our dear friend destroyed across the years — dragons of ignorance, of fear, of stupidity. Now, by Thy grace, she has con- quered the last, the fiercest dragon of all — even that dragon men call death . . . 2

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MAGAZINE STAFF Editor SHEILA FISHBOURNE Assistant Editor JEANIE MACLEOD First Sub-editor DODI BLAYLOCK Second Sub-editor ANN ROBEPtTS Sec retar -Treasurer KATHY CASH Sports Editor MARIE GAUTHIER Art Editor JESSIE FISKE Photograpby Editor LINDA SABOLO MACAZliyE COMMITTEE - Form VI A JANET ALSOP Form VI B CAROL ESCOBAR Form V A JACKIE CLABON Form V B NANCY WALL Form IV A JANE FISKE Form IV B KATHY MILNES Form III A DEBBIE HUGHES Form III B CHRISTINE OKUDA Upper II SUSAN HINDRICHS Form II ERO SAITANIS CONTENTS In Memoriam 2 Editorial 4 (jraduating Class 10 Barclay 19 Gumming 24 Donald 29 Fairley 34 Ross 39 Boarders 44 Young ' Uns 45 Sports 48 Old Girls ' Notes 52 Staff 56 School Directory 57

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UNE FEMME, UN CHEF II est difficile de croire (]ue nous n ' eiiteiulrons plus sou beau rire franc et sa voix sonore aux diverses reunions de I ' rafaJgar, auxquelles elle se plaisait tant a assister. 11 est difficile de penser que nous ne verrons plus Teclat intelligent, retincelle d ' huiTieur de ses grands yeux turquoise, et que nous ne retrouverijns plus sa flaniboyante personnalite. dependant, son influence reste dans Pecole, et aussi son enipreinte sur une generation entiere qu elle a mis tout son coeur a former, en cela elle demeure presente et avec nous. Je ne voudrais pas redire ce que tous ses amis onl dit, disent et rediront, mais pourtant nous ne pouvons que nous accorder tous sur ses menies qualites, sa loyaute, sa droiture, sa profonde lionn- etete, sa solidite a toute epreuve dans ses amities, son courage a les defendre contre vents et marees, car elle etait brave et ne re- culait devant aucun combat pour ce qu elle cotisiderail juste. Kile exer ait toute sa volonte et son intelligence a alteindre le baut ideal qu ' elle s ' etait fLxe pour maintenir el ameliorer la rejiulalion de I ' ecole qu ' elle avait prise en mains, ( ' e n ' etait pas la solution la plus facile. Qu e de problemes elle eut a resoudre avec professeurs, parents et eleves! Mais elle passait a travers grace a son solide bon sens, sa grande culture, son esprit ouverl et sans parti-pri.s. son cote profondement liumain, son experience de la vie. Aucune etroitesse cliez elle, elle reflecbissail. vovuit ilc bant les solutions, ne s ' encombrait pas de details; sa petillante vitalite nc lui faisait rien prendre au tragique ni se perdre dans un dctlale. Une telle personnalite ne pouvail etre comprise de lous. Moi qui I ' ai connue pendant longtemps, et admiree et aimee, je peux vous dire que sa mort est une grande perte, mai3, qu n memoire d ' elle. nous ferons tout en notre pouvoir pour suivrc la vole tracee par: Dr. Joan FOSTER. Louise Krnout-Krouilletle From an (Hd (iirl: All tbose wbo liave benefited from tbe kindness and inspiration of Dr. Joan Foster, during ber twenty-five years as headmistress of Trafalgar Scbool for (jirls, will share with ine a great sense of per- sonal loss. I am particularly indebted to her for her encouragement and guidajicc which determined my decision to become a teacher of history. Dr. Foster had the good fortune to be born of a well-known, well-estabhsbed family, with every facility for education. In her father, the late .Senator Walter E. Foster of New Brunswick, she had before her an example of outstanding public spirit from which it would have been difficult to defect. Turning away from the pleasant paths generally followed by young ladies in the early twenties, she took the road of hard work and action to which her life was dedicated. She went to the stUI predominantly male stronghold — the university. She stood high in scholarship, receiving her doctorate degree from Bryn. Mawr, Pennsylvania. Upon her graduation Dr. I (jstcr was appouited assistant to the warden of Royal Victoria (iollcge and tauglit history at Mcfiill LIniversity. She then became [)rinci(ial and teacher of history at Kiverbend School for Girls, W innipeg. Dr. I ' osler alwa s believed that the building of character was of greater worth and importance than anything else. During her years as headmistress, she displayed natural abilities of tlie first order. She possessed a powerfid, well-trained and ever active mijid. She had a large capacit) for administration, clearness of vision, promptness in decision and a thorough appreciation of what constitutes good organization. Most important of all was the driving force of an in- tense energ and dedication to duty which was devotedly placed in the service of Trafalgar. Beyond her professional ijualities, she was sound and just in mind. Moreover, she was extremely Uberal. In all things she had charity. Tolerance was one of ber great natural qualities. She re- spected in others the quahties she herself possessed: sincerity of conviction and frankness of opinion. To those of us who have been privileged to study under Dr. Foster, to all those who have been associated with her, the in- fluence of our beloved principal. Dr. Joan Foster, will always remain. Joan N. Charteris, Assistant Professor of History, McGill University. From a present pupil: When Dr. Foster left Trafaigar in 1965, the past and present Trafites knew that she would never forget her beloved School. This was proven in later days as, at each function of the School, the eyes of most Trafites sought out Dr. Foster in the front row, and everything went smoothly from that point on. God ' s in his heaven, all ' s right with the world. Her presence at the School .seemed to give a special tone to the activities, as each girl from Prep to Sixtli Form strove to put on a good show. The notice of her death was shocking as Dr. Foster and Traf were synonymous and the thought flashed, It couldn ' t happen to ' Doc ' . She has been and will always be sorely missed from our honoured guests at the traditional Trafalgar functions. Sheila Fishbourne From an Old Girl: I was once a frequent visitor in Dr. T oster ' s office. The greeting was always the same. Dear, dear, dear, dear, dear! she would say in a tone of mixed disapproval and humour. Then she would add a stern look and suppress a burst of laughter. I often came away from Oiese visits in tears but with a strong feeling of her rather miscluevous approval of my exploits. Her history lessons were a dehght to me in the Fifth and Sixtli Forms, and it is because of her that 1 went on to McGill and took an honours B.A. in Canadian History. She was a gracious and sophisticated woman who was able to establish a remarkable rapport with sympathetic students. I remem- ber her with great affection and respect . . . Ronne Heming 3