Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

Page 8 text:

2' s fi if i1l ZL '

Page 7 text:

TABLE OF CONTENTS HEADMASTER: MR. MACOUN ..... HEADBOY: ROBERT SPENCER .... Ashburian Staff ................. STAFF AND ORADS ..... Complete Staff List ....................... Other Staff ............................... GRADUATINO CLASS OF 1985 .... Senior School Students tgrades 9-121 ......... FALL TERM .... WINTER TERM. . . SPRING TERM . . . JUNIOR SCHOOL .... CIRADUATINO FORMAL .... AWARDSXCLOSING .... ....6 ....6 ....7 .......8,9 10,11 40,41 .18 ...33 .42 .60 .72 .98 ....143 ....l45

Page 9 text:

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