Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHBURIAN 27 At the conclusion of the Conference Nlr. Stephen Penton was elected President for the ensuing year and it was agreed that the Conference would be held in Montreal in January 1960. ENGLISH CONFERENCE The conference of the teachers of English at the Independent Schools was held this year at Pickering College. Newmarket. on Easter Monday. The speaker of the morning meeting was Mr. Duncan Green. Assistant Head of the Department of English at North Toronto Collegiate, who spoke on the techniques of teaching poetry. The problem of firing the imagination of boys of to-day to the delights and excitements of verse is not always an easy one, and the interesting techniques advocated by Mr. Green were most welcome. In the afternoon, after the admirable lunch provided in the school dining hall, the meeting was addressed by Dr. M. H. Mclsuhen, of the English Department of St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto, who spoke on the new media of communications. Dr. McLuhen's observations on trends, not only in formal education but in civilization, as affected by these media were both fascinating and profound. Incidentally, he drew attention to the fact that Industry was attaching ever increasing importance to qualifications in the humanities among its top-flight executives. He pointed out that if this attitude of Industry's were properly recognized by students, the motiva- tion for study in such subjects would be substantially increased. The following schools were represented: Appleby College, Mr. H. C. Hardwick, hir. Smith. Mr. Cooke. Ashbury College, Mr. A. B. Belcher, hir. Spencer. Hillfield School, Mr. P. S. Stevens. Lower Canada College, Mr. Caverhill, Mr. O'Neill. Pickering College, Mr. Guy Arnold, Mr. C. R. Blackstock. Mr. E. M. Veale, Mr. D. Blenard, Mr. YV. H. Jackman. Mr. D. Collins, Mr. H. M. Beer. . Ridley College, Mr. J. F. Pringle. St. Andreuds College, Mr. Garstang.

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26 THE ASHBURIAN NIcAulay, a Form II boy, for his interesting well-prepared speech on fibreglass. The adjudicator's task in the Ross MacMaster Intermediate contest was not difficult. Haslam, speaking authoritatively about China, the Sleeping Giant was so convincing that the Adjudicator's task at first seemed easy, but Lynn I, speaking about lobster fishing in New England, immediately put the issue in doubt. Lynn was fol- lowed by Conway, who gave a learned address on anti-biotics. Using the standard Oregeon system of judging, there were less than two points between the three, but the prize was awarded to Haslam. Only two seniors competed in their division, and although Mclnnes I gave Chamard some keen competition with his speech on the French Revolution, into which had gone much research and preparation, the latter, speaking on Red China's admission to the United Nations, a subject which has been frequently debated land written aboutll, was so assured and convinced of the subject matter in his speech, that he added to his former honours by again Winning the award. At the conclusion of each division, the Adjudicator, Mr. Ian Spencer, gave a short critical analysis of the speeches, with special reference to his experience gained this year acting as a judge at the International Speech Festival. His final remark was, The field might be small, but the standard was so high, any school might be proud of it. C O N F E R E N C E S HEADMASTERS' CONFERENCE The Twenty-Fourth Annual Conference of the Headmasters' Association was held at Rothesay Collegiate School, Rothesay, New Brunswick. The Headmaster of the School, Dr. C. H. Bonnycastle, acted as host. The usual business sessions proved to be lively and helpful. Reports from the various committees indicated that much had been done during the year and that the Association's representatives to various conferences had held up their end in strange surroundings. The chapel service conducted by the School Chaplain, the Rev. M. J. Keble, and the Reception at the home of Mr. Colin Mackay Sr., deputy Chairman of the Board were most enjoyable conference activities. The Annual Dinner was held in the School dining-room with Mr. Gordon Fairweather, Attorney-General of New Brunswick the Guest Speaker. He spoke amusingly about the Reward of Public Service ln Politics.

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gg THE ASHBURIAN Trinity College School, Mr. G. Humble, Mr. Gordon. Upper Canada College, Mr. Gallimore, Mr. Harrison. .Veuvnarlzet High School, Mr. Wm. Elliott. The members were deeply shocked to learn of the sudden death, a few days before the meeting, of T. Glover, Head of the English Department at Lower Canada College. He had been a faithful at- tendant at the conferences for a period of some years and will be greatly missed. The representatives are grateful to Pickeringls headmaster, Mr. H. H. Beer, and to Mrs. Beer, for entertainment at lunch and after- noon tea, thanks are due also to Mr. Guy Arnold of Pickering College, the chairman of the meeting. MATHEMATICS CONFERENCE The animal conference of the Mathematics Committee of the Headmasters' Association of Independent Schools met this year at Lower Canada College, Montreal. The Schools sending representa- tives were Appleby College, Ashbury College, The Grove Lakefield, Hillfield School, Pickering College, Rothesay Collegiate, Trinity Col- lege School, Upper Canada College, as well as representatives from the Montreal High Schools. The guest speaker was Dr. Little of The hlass. Institute of Technology, Boston. Dr. Little gave a detailed and most interesting demonstrated lecture on the teaching of elementary Physics. Almost all the apparatus which he used was made by students of his classes. Following Dr. Little there was a general discussion and question period, most of which dwelt largely with a comparison between the Canadian and the United States requirements in Physics at the High School level. Following the discussion period there was a short business meeting at which an invitation was extended by the delegates from The Grove School, Lakefield, to hold the next session at their school. This was accepted unanimously. After the meeting the delegates were guests of the Headmaster, then to the School Hall for lunch. After lunch Dr. Little spoke again, which was followed by further questions and discussion. Everybody agreed that the day was most enjoyable and re- warding.