Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

Page 10 text:

THE HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE l have set myself the task of trying to identify and describe the main events of this school year and to give my impressions of the forces that are at work in our School and Community. Throughout these times of change we are very conscious of the need to preserve our quality. A good school is made up over many years by the care and dedication of many individuals. We cannot allow the uncertainty and disruption in the ocean around us to effect our philosophy and programme and, in particular, the education of the children currently in our care. Because of the materialistic, commercial and emotional pressure exerted by the media and modern life generally, there is a greater need than ever before for structure, stability and calm in our school. This we must provide in isolation from the politicians and the media and if change is necessary, it should be in the context of the growth and development of the Ashbury programme and community and to meet the needs of that community. The year began in September with 460 students enrolled and over 50 teachers on staff, certainly the largest school in our history. ln addition to the consistently excellent sports and arts programmes, we have had the excitement and disruption of the new building. At the start of the year, we suffered the rattle of jackhammers and then the neighbouring streets became cluttered with vehicles, yet all-in-all, the inconvenience has been minimal. The new building, now virtually complete, will provide us with not only a splendid new gymnasium, but also new locker rooms, a new Music Department and ad- ditional teaching space and, by modifying the existing building, we will be able to expand and improve the Library, establish a better facility for the Art Department, increase our classroom space, improve the maintenance facilities and rationalize our traffic arrangements. Perhaps the most significant change this year, however, has been the decision of David Polk to retire. A question on my mind for some time now has been, how do we adequately recognize a man who has not only given forty-two years of his life to Ashbury, but who is a superb teacher, a committed school master and one of those unique characters who make independent schools so special? David Polk knows better than anyone that it is not the bricks and mortar or the image that makes a good school, but the people within the school. When Mr. Polk was asked to write down the characteristics we should be seeking in identifying the future winners of the new POLK AWARD in the Junior School, he listed the following qualities: Gentleness Fairness Honesty and a conscience which allows only the best work to be presented. These are, of course, the qualities that exemplify DAVID POLK, SR. THE HEADBOY'S MESSAGE Society is ever dynamic and so must be the en- vironment which caters to it. A certain amount of change will always be necessary, however, this change must be in the direction that will lead to the best results. This is a necessary phenomenon in any place where people interact with each other in an open, free, society. In this sense Ashbury is no different from any other institution. In the past it was relatively easy for someone to know, or to know of, every student and teacher in the school. The increasing size of Ashbury in recent years has made this far more difficult. People have naturally changed over this period, as is to be ex- pected, but it would appear to me that the actual character of the people of the school has remained constantly attuned to an unswerving philosophy. The embodiment of that philosophy is found in the Latin words of our motto: Probitas, Virtus, Comitas: uprightness, manliness, fellowship. This positive influence is indicative of what Ashbury is really all about. I have briefly discussed the process of metamorphoses at Ashbury and hopefully delineated what remains constant. I should now like to conclude by quoting part of a poem by Robert Frost, entitled The Road Not Taken : I shall be telling this with asigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Spencer, Headboy

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A TRIBUTE TO DAVID POLK In late August, 1940, Mr. Polk arrived at Ashbury College, perspiring freely, carrying two heavy suitcases, having walked from the Rockcliffe Streetcar stop. He admits his New England con- science would not allow him to hire a cab! Imagine the chagrin of Mr. Brain, who met him, upon seeing a new employee arrive in such an unpretentious manner! Subsequent history has certainly proven Polky's lack of pretension as well as his value to the school. During his first stint at Ashbury, 1940-1942, Polky taught in the Junior School. He remembers teaching John Turner, Donald McDonald, and the now Marquis of Queensbury. He returned to the United States to join the Merchant Navy on New Year's Eve 1942, and served until 1947 as Ship's Doctor!Purser. He recalls having to sew up a wounded sailor because the sailor had to comfort Polky as he did the job! He returned to Ashbury in 1947 and from 1947 to 1953 he taught grades 11, 12, and 13 History and Geography. It was four years before he had a single failure in either of these two Senior Matriculation subjects. Bear in mind of course, that these were external examinations the boys were writing at the time. In 1953 he was asked by Mr. Perry to head up the Junior School, which was moving into a new building. He continued in charge until 1967. His contribution to the organization of the Junior School was incredible. I know that when 1 inherited the job from him in 1967, I took over a very well functioning unit with an excellent reputation. David overcame many an obstacle during those years, not the least of which were difficult characters who taught under him - including one memorable chap who was sent to teach in the Junior School because he was not capable of teaching in the Senior School! In 1967, Polky took over the Old Boys' organization, spending half a day on that, and teaching part time, however, in 1969, the lure of the classroom was too much and David was back full time in the Junior School. There is not a boy who passed through his hands who won't remember his marvellously relaxed, yet dramatic approach. Perhaps one of his greatest contributions to Ashbury was, and still is, his willingness to assume any and all onerous tasks - those tasks which no one else would volunteer to do. For example, Polky has looked after the school pictures, been the librarian, run the stationary stores, done the Old Boys' newsletter, edited the Junior Ashburian, and managed the ski teams. There were some years when he had all these responsibilities. ls there a public school teacher anywhere who would accept this sort of work load? Not only that, but he has gone as many as ten years in a row without missing a day of school. David Polk is the complete schoolmaster. He enjoys his life now as much as he did in 1942 and, fortunately for Ashbury, his life has been Ashbury. l doubt very much whether anyone in the future will match his contribution. On the occasion of his retirement, there is little that any member of the Ashbury community can do other than thank him. He certainly has the affection and thanks of generations of Ashburians. - Mr. Sherwood

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THE YEARBOOK STAFF The Ashburian Staff, for the most part, is new this year. It is also mostly made up of students, and this is a first for Ashbury in many years. We have operated throughout the year as a close-knit team, sharing the task of production, learning as we proceeded. I am sure that the enthusiasm, the consistent effort, and the drama of doing it all for the first time are reflected in the pages of this book. There are a few individuals whose labours need special thanks, among them are Mr. Mori for his many hours building the darkroom. His struggle for excellence, I hope, is reflected in the photos we have used. His work has been pivotal. Mrs. Conraa s work in the darkroom, as a creative consultant, and as a co-founder for re-establisher J of the Photo Club, has been a constant source of motivation for our newly formed Press . For their unflagging inspiration and voluminous production lbetween them, they took about 3, 500 photographslh, my thanks to Tom Cole, Mark Turcotte, Ken Iisaka CDarkroom Supersj, and to Top, Left: Mark Turcotte, Mr. Conrad, Tom Cole, Paul Grodde, Mark Valentine tseatedl, Andrew Hogg, Alain Gauthierg Middle: Ken Iisakag Bottom: Mr. Mori at work in the darkroom: Bottom Left: Stuart Hensel, Cornelius van Aerssen, Mrs. Conrad. . -.t CWTBH 3 513514 :I Motomasa Mori, Mark Valentine, Edward Pressman, Cornelius van Aerssen, Stuart Hensel, Dave Hodgson, John Hajfner. Members of the inner cabinet - the reporters, lay-out editors, copy editors, etc., include our Copy Editor: Paul Grodde, Reporters: Andrew Hogg and Alain Gauthier, Matthew Boswell and Alex Bright kept us informed of the happenings in the Junior School, as did Mr. Herique, whose excellent photos are scattered throughout the book. Sports editor Don Chapdelaine kept that venue open for us. Thanks also to Alex Munter and to Robert Kroeger for their expertise. Richard Weintrageris decorations are also much appreciated. To those whose names we've left out and to those whose event failed to reach us in time sorryl'g we'll try harder next year. D.L.C. Editor l I Q fit