Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 21 Princess Alice s Speech The following ' is the text of the speech dehvered b ; H.R.H. Princess AUce, Countess of Athlone, on the occasion of her visit to Branksome on October 15th, 1941 : 1 can assure you and all the yoiung people present what a genuine pleasure it gives me tO ' visit this school today. For not only am I deeply interested in education itself , but I always feel particularly happy when I find myself in the company of young people. The very young present will probably say the reason is that I am on my way to my second child- hood! But whatever the reason, one thing is certain: I am delighted to be here. I am very glad to know that such a large num.ber of girls from Great Britain, including a whole group of iSherborne girls, are attend- ing Brankscme and enjoying its benefits, and the pleasures of life in Canada. It is a splendid thing to travel far afield when you are young, and it is of great value to character building for both you and your Can- adian s chool-fellows to rub shoulders with one anothei — there ' s nothing like it for broadening and stimulating the mind. Here I would like to

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20 The Branksome Slogan assisted in this very fine piece of work and this j ear also, a large num- ber are responding. We have also been interested for the last few years in the Visites interprovinciales which arranges exchange visits of students between Ontario and Quebec, and believe that the girls who have gone have not only learned French but have helped in promoting good feeling between the French and English in Canada. This summer, for those who are unable to leave the city, Brank- some is providing a summer school, where girls will be given the oppor- tunity to take courses which will be useful not only in this emergency but in the total education of girls and women. In striving to reach the highest ideal of service in whatever field is open to us, let us remember the inspiring lines of our school song: Foes in plenty we shall meet. Ever onward to the fight, Heai ts courageous scorn defeat. Ever upward to the light. So we press with eager feet Ever true to God and right. Up and on. Up and on. PORTIA WHITE, CANADIAN CONTRALTO On November 7th the School united with the Alumnae in vresenting Portia White at Eaton ' s Auditorium.

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22 The Branksome Slogan congratulate Miss Read and all who have so ably assisted heir, for bring- ing about this happy state of affairs. Nci doubt many of you girls from England feel that you are missing something very wonderful through being away from the great battle of Britain, and it is true in a sense, you are, and so am I, but I am persuaded that our destiny has brought us out here for a definite purpose. We ALL — English, Scottish, and Canadian — have to prepare O ' urselves, to fit ourselves each in our own particular way to help oiur country get straight again at the end of the War. All those girls, liv- ing in peace and quiet and health and reasonable comfort, will have a great duty to fulfil towards all the sorely tried war-weary people of Britain, of Europe, yes, of Canada, too. We shall need young, cheerful people of sound common sense, with trained alert minds and courteous manners, able to put themselves in the other fellow ' s place and so help him or her to solve their problems wisely and sym.pathetically. All you learn here in every branch will be of little avail unless it is leading yo ' u up to this great after-War service — THAT is where the people whose lives have been sheltered from the horrors of war. must come in; so take heart, you who long to be back in England in the midst of the fray — you girls of this grand wide country — make up your minds that you will be leaders in the great army of Peace-Makers and in the beautiful words of Spring Rice say : ' T vow to thee my country all earthly things above Entire and whole and perfect, the Service of my love, The love that asks no questions — the love that stands the test. The love that never falters, the love that pays the price. The Farm, showing the new addition.