Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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From the Principal: When Dr. Foster retired, we all expected her to have many happy and productive years ahead. She had so much still to contribute to life, and, among other things, planned to write an historical book. But this, unfortunately, was not to be. The School was Dr. Foster ' s life, and to it she brought her high ideals and her fine qualities of leadership, intellect and character. These have helped to make the school what it is today, and Trafalgar itself is her finest memorial. After retiring, she maintained her deep interest in the school, and, until iier illness this winter, eagerly attended all our func- tions. Indeed, when I visited her only a few days before her death, she was anxious to hear all about the Gym Dem , and sent her love and good wishes to the girls. Since I worked with Dr. Foster throughout her twenty- five years at Trafalgar, as a teacher and later as Assistant Principal, we became very close friends, and I appreciate her qualities, perhaps, as well as anyone. She tackled all the problems of running the school with insight and decision; she gave unfailing support to her staff and wise guidance to her pupils; she had a quick temper, but she also had a keen sense of humour and of fair play. By her strength of charac- ter, her honesty and her great courage — which never failed her to the end — she inspired and earned the respect of all who knew her. After her retirement, I found in her the ideal predecessor, who never interfered, but to whom I could go at any time for advice. Dr. Foster ' s influence spread far beyond Trafalgar, and she was highly respected in educational circles throughout Canada. Her untimely death is a great loss, not only to the School, but to a much wider community. I have lost a dear friend, whom I shall miss greatly and whom I shall always remember with love and pride. EDITORIAL The youth of today are in revolt because they feel that they are neither heard nor trusted. This, unfortunately, is true in many cases. The people that refuse even to try to understand are narrow-minded non-thinkers. The Establishment does not want to speak frankly about the problem , as the ordinary people of the comnuniity are not pleased to iiear it. Young people of this era wish to express their ideas. They are unable to do so without the coverage of the press. This handicap is the result of some uninterested parents. These parents send their children to school and then seemingly wash their hands of the whole affair, having done their duty. Perhaps if more round table conferences were to take place between parents and their ciiildren fewer problems would arise. In this way, ideas would be expressed by both sides, bringing botli to know the other party better. There are other parents that base their ideas of young people on the actions of a few. Student revolts are their favourite examples. Yet, when examined further, these revolts repre- sent only a small minority of young people. Such revolts are fomented by a few activists, with the power, as in the past, to mesmerize others, leading them like sheep. Perhaps, if parents realized this, there would be more understanding. A small group of parents exists willing to listen and to judge ideas rationally. These parents seem to understand and sincerely want to help. A strong link of communication is established. The younger generation wish to be guided, listened to, and encouraged through this rough, turbulent world. They must be given the right to speak and act freely. The youth of today must be heeded, for they are the leaders of tomorrow. THE EDITOR 4

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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

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FORM OFFICERS FIRST TERM Forms Form VI A Form VI B Form V A Form V B Form IV A Form IV B Form III A Form lU B Upper II Form II Presidents Donna Cochrane Carol Escobar Jennie Madill Gloria Waters Jane Eddison Jo Wells Maureen Bums Helen McGUl Elaine Frank Sandy Grant-Whyte Vice-Presidents Joan Fletcher Danielle Kraus CoUeen Heffeman Kit Roberts Gay Hamilton Sue Pritchard Michele Kirkwood Diane Pefanis Jeannie Saros Ero Saitanis SECOND TERM Forms Form VI A Form VI B Form V A Form V B Form IV A Form IV B Form III A Form III B Upper II Form II Presidents Joan Fletcher Mary Stephen Jennie Madill Gloria Waters Gail Gilbert Jo WeUs Brenda Kaine Judy Saylor Paola Parmeggiani Sandy Grant-Whyte Vice-Presidents Janet AIsop Marie Florence Vack Colleen Heffernan Linda Sabolo Lesley Harris Kathy McCuaig Debbie Hughes Cynthia Nunns Susan Charest Lois Anderson Form VI A Form VI B Form V A Form V B Form IV A f Treasurers Jennifer Blachford Jeanie Macleod Marie-Anne Laforest Linda Sabolo Jackie Warren Karen Flam Form IV B Form III A Form III B Upper II Form II Sally Neale Janet Clarke Dina Sabolo Vivienne Oszadszky Claire Panet-Raymond 5