Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHBURIAN I 131 JUNE CLOSING HE closing took place on Friday, July llth, in the afternoon. The Annual Sports were held in the morning and there was a short leaving service in the Chapel after lunch, A move was then made to the gym where the speeches and prize giving took place. The following account of the closing was taken from the Ottawa Citizen:- Perhaps among the prize winners this afternoon there will be future leaders who will help to make Canada a great power in the art of understand- ing. said Sir William Glasgow, Australian l-ligh Commissioner to Canada, at the Ashbury College closing exercises yesterday afternoon. Sir William reviewed Ashbury's part in the wars of the past and brought to mind the things that Ashburians are learning to-day to fit themselves to carry on the traditions of their predecessors. You are learning discipline and self-control, qualities that not only make good leaders but good followers as well. Indeed, a man must be able to obey before he can command. Much Pioneering Ahead. Not forgetting the day after victory, Sir William spoke of the many things that Canadians have yet to do. There is much pioneering yet to be done- pioneering in the fields of international relations-learning particularly social science, which is the practice of helping the poverty-stricken. Presenting the Annual Report N. M. Archdale, l-leadmaster of the school, spoke of the many inconveniences and handicaps brought about directly and indirectly by the war. l, and others concerned with schools, have been greatly disturbed by the very uncertain state in which education appears to be at present, he said. The attitude assumed by many boys who intend to enter the armed forces that it does not matter whether or not they matriculate is one of shortsighted- ness. They forget that after the war they will find the lack of some academic standing a definite handicap in either obtaining a job, or entering university, as presumably some of them will wish to do. Referring to the curtailment of subjects not of essential value to the war, and replacing them with courses in defence, aeronautics and other specialized sciences, Mr. Archdale said, l feel that a democracy cannot exist when a nation is composed almost entirely of technicians and specialists. Let us by all means give all we have got to defeat the Axis nations, but don't let's lose sight of the future. Sports Carried On Although cadet and defence work took much time, the sports were carried on as in previous years. ln the first term the football team was young and in- experienced, but although it was not very successful in the inter-school matches,

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U21 THE ASHBURIAN winter, The oldest inhabitant we could find, one over 83, could remember nothing like it. We congratulate Ivlr. Lucas, tStaff l938l on his marriage recently to Mics Jessie Emmett. l-le is now a Flight Lieutenant, R.C.A.F., and while on a visit to Rockcliffe Air Station, renewed his acquaintance with Ashbury. A goodly number of savings stamps have been bought by the boys this year, but we feel this could be increased, perhaps by having less tuck, lthat is when there is tuck in the canteeni. Dr. Woollcombe paid his annual beginning of the year visit to the school in September, and addressed the boys and staff briefly. l-Ie asked What are we fighting for? Then answered the possible question l-low can a boy at school help? and ended with the exhortation Do it now. We are indebted to the good offices of Dr. Shapiro for a visit to the Elgin Theatre to see ln Which We Serve . The whole school were invited by the management of the theatre, and those who were able to go, most of us inci- dentally, saw a film well worth seeing. We are deeply grateful both to the Elgin Theatre and to Dr. Shapiro. There has been much activity this year in the Debating Club, and the International Relations Club, which is reported elsewhere. There has also been a good deal going on with Flat Clubs, Upper and Lower, some of it pos- sibly unofficial and not for publication. A large group of boys accepted the invitation of the R.C.A.F. to attend 0 lecture on, and see an exhibition of, photographs of the work of the Air Force, held at the l-louses of Parliament in March. They found it most interesting and instructive. A Thanks are due to Colonel Calderon for coming out on a cold evening in March, and showing some films to a number of the younger boys. They in- cluded films of a Commando Raid on Norway, Desert Fighting and some car- toons, all much appreciated by the audience. A visit to the War Museum under Mr. Travers' guidance was enjoyed by Form IV. On another occasion the same party went to the Art Gallery. We feel more of this would be a GOOD THING, to paraphrase lO66 and All That. A number of boys have been having a good time swimming at the Chateau, and eating afterwards on the invitation of Miss Seeley, for which much thanks say all of them. A Others are indebted to Mr. Walsh for movies followed by food. Are we being spoilt? Say not so, and carry on the good work please.- There has been a pleasing interest in music, a number of boys taking every opportunity of going to concerts when good musicians were in Ottawa. We'd like to see a more active interest even if we have to sit through a School Concert. The Stamp Club started well, under the guidance of Mr. Polk, but when he left, it rather faded, though it still lives. Lets have it a really energetic con- cern next year.

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T141 THE ASHBURIAN they put up a good show, showing courage and promise for the future. This was also true of the hockey team. Much enthusiasm was shown in skiing this winter, more for exercise and pleasure than of a competitive nature, which to my mind is no bad thing, said the headmaster. The cricket team enjoyed a good measure of success, al- though it did not win the inter-school trophy. The junior soccer team success- fully carried off the Colonel Fraser Cup. The health of the school was good. Mr. Archdale commended Miss Mac- Laughlin, Mrs. Fraser and Miss Barker, the school nurses, for their untiring vigilance. Staff changes for various reasons, military duties and health, for example, do not help in the efficient functioning of the school. This year we have been unfortunate in that changes took place in the middle of the year, said Mr. Archdale, although in Mr. Walsh, Mr. Chestnut, Capt. Dare and Mr. Belcher we obtained hard-working, enthusiastic colleagues who have thrown themselves into their work. Mr. Archdale lauded the way in which the staff has pulled together and has taken on extra duties cheerfully. l-le also spoke of the way in which the prefects and other bays have co-operated to do whatever they could to make for the general good. More Serious Side- The sale of tickets for the annual play netted the Red Cross 515274.00 Debates and meetings of the international Relations Club, at which several distinguished people spoke, rounded out the more serious side of extra-cur- ricular activities. Many trips to the Parliament Buildings, the Archives and other educational places of interest were arranged for the boys. ln conclusion, the headmaster said, I feel that if parents, governors, boys and staff all work together in harmony, no school can fail to be great. While I want to express my gratitude for the co-operation of many of these categories, l would ask that next year this co-operation be unanimous. ln his valedictory address, R. G. R. Lawrence, head prefect, and captain of the school for the past year said: We shall take away with us two funda- mental principles which at all times Ashbury has stressed-those of courage and duty. To older and wiser people it appears, and rightly so, that this world which we are now entering is a chaotic and frightening one. While we grant the truth of this fact, it does not in any degree dismay us: we face it with happy confidence. Col. E. F. Newcombe of the board of governors was acting chairman of the occasion, and among those present were Norman Wilson and Senator Cairine Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Woods, Mrs. E. F. Newcombe, Dr. G. P. Woollcombe, l-l. S. Southam, Col. and Mrs. J. D. Fraser, G. J. K. l-larrison, head- master of Abinger l-lill School, now incorporated in Ashbury, and Brigadier- General and Mrs. C. H. Maclaren.