Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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24 The Branksome Slogan Dunvegan Castle ; it is a grand old place, combining the romance of the ninth century with the comfort of the twentieth ; in it are preserved some of the most famous relics of the past. The Ross Clan takes its name from the province of Ross. The name in Gaelic is Clann Andrias. One account of the origin of this clan reports that it came from the Nioisemen. The district of Ross was very fre- quently mentioned in Norse sagas along with other districts ruled by the Mormaors or Jarls. It was only upon the downfall of that powerful race that the Chiefs of Ross first appear in history. The badge of the Ross Clan is juniper, which in Gaelic is aiteann. The crest is a hand holding a garland of laurel. The Scotts, one of the most powerful Border clans, take their name from the race who invaded Scotland in the early ages. The Scotts of Buccleuch (mentioned in Sir Walter Scott ' s ' ' Lay of the Last Minstrel ) and the Scotts of Balwearie were descended from Uchtredus filius Scoti, who witnessed charters between 1107 and 1128. Sir Michael Scott, a famous wizard, also mentioned in ' The Lay , who died about 1200, was actually one of the most learned men of his time. Sir Walter Scott was himself a descendant of the Scotts of Harden. The war cry of this clan is A Ballandean . The seat of the Scotts of Buccleuch was Branksome Castle, after which this school is named, in honour of the founder, Miss Scott. Events of the Year GATHERING OF THE CLANS The first Friday in September, after the return to school, found sports activities off to a fast start. The eight clans gathered on Sher- borne lawn for their first annual gathering and clan games. New girls began to feel at home leaping down the lawn tied up in a sack and try- ing to defeat contestants from the other seven clans. The complete MacGregor clan was to be found afterwards clustered about two enormous cakes which they won as first prize.

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26 The Branksome Slogan INSTALLATION OF PREFECTS The annual installation of the prefects and officers of the school was held on Wednesday, October 22. Miss Read ratified the appointments of the sub-prefects and clan chieftains and, with a few words to each, installed individually the sixteen prefects and Joan Langlois as the head girl of the school. An explanation of the school standards to the parents, friends and new girls followed. The school flags were then placed in the four corners of the gymnasium. The school song effectively completed a very impressive ceremony. That evening, the newly-appointed officers of the school were entertained at dinner by Miss Read. Toasts were proposed to the new boarders, the new prefects, the head girl and Miss Read. The dinner was a fitting climax to a memorable day. THE CAROL SERVICE The last Sunday of the Fall teim was kept, appropriately enough, for the annual carol service. It was again held in St. Andrew ' s Church and, large as the church is, hardly another person could have found a ARCHERY AT READ ACRES