Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN 17 The true gauge of the success of a teaching institution is not the surpassing scholarship of its graduates, the social position of its students, the splendour of its buildings and equipment, nor yet the culture and intellectual attainments of the faculty; it is the contribution which it makes to the moral and social well-being of the country. It is the after- life of the student, and its influence on her home and community, that determines the worth of a school; the girl, who in her daily contact with her fellows manifests an unselfish spirit and noble aspirations, that fulfills the purpose of her school training. Measured by this rule, Branksome Hall claims high distinction, for without the background and traditions of older schools, it has still lived long enough to have to its credit a considerable body of alumnae of whom we in the school are consciously and justly proud. It was only in 1903 that Miss Margaret T. Scott, with the assistance of Miss Florence Merrick, founded Branksome Hall at 102 Bloor Street East. The school was then very small, but under Miss Scott ' s leadership it rapidly gained a reputation and the foundation was laid for the building up of our school to-day. In 1910 we were forced to move to temporary quarters at 596 Sherbourne Street, the site of the present Selby Hotel, where we remained for two years. It was during this period that Miss Read succeeded Miss Scott as principal. The school property had hitherto always been rented, but in 1912 we purchased the present building at the corner of Elm Avenue and Huntley Street. From this time the school expanded rapidly. The French House was taken over in 1917 and two years later it was necessary to make additions to both buildings. Three years ago, the Scott House, named in memory of the founder, was added as a separate residence for matriculation students, and both the latter and the French House have proved most successful. Last June we celebrated our twentieth anniversary at a dinner given by Miss Read. Branksome girls from all parts of Canada met again and renewed the friendships and associations which they had formed at school. The thoughts of all those who were present turned toward the future, for everyone felt that we were celebrating not only the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the school, but also the inauguration of a new era in our history. After a brief sketch of the past, Miss Read outlined our ambitions for the coming years. As the school had previously been under private ownership, there was 2 B. S.

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Photo by Charles Aylett MISS READ

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18 THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN always the possibility of its going out of existence; Miss Read now pro- posed to form a corporation, which would insure its perpetuation. During the past year this has been accomplished and we have been enabled to make extensive additions. The new gymnasium and swim- ming pool, which have been long awaited, as well as the new dining- hall and several class-rooms are to be erected during the coming summer. In this undertaking the alumnae have given invaluable support to the school and it is greatly to their credit that the alumnae, present and future, may be as proud of the school in years to come, as the school is of them to-day. With their help Branksome has taken its place in the rank of those schools which have made Toronto noted as an educational centre. The school will endure, for it is manifest that the spirit behind it is one not of commercialism but of altruism. The school is not a chattel but a trust; it is not a venture to be kept in existence as long as it is profitable, but an institution which, each succeed- ing year, will exert a wholesome effect upon a widening circle of human lives, and to which an ever-increasing number of Canadian women will owe allegiance and devotion. To the students the school gives much besides scholastic training and a happy, wholesome environment. It has given character and high ideals to those responsive to its influence, and the repayment of that debt is an obligation imposed upon us, not only during our school life, but also when we go out into the world with the love of our alma mater in our hearts and her welfare and interests ever in our minds.