Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 15 Branxholm Castle, Scotland Lying between the fells of Teviotdale and Liddesdale in the Border- land of Scotland, is the old Castle of Branxholm. Doubly celebrated as the ancient home of the Scotts of Buccleuch, and as the scene of Sir Walter Scott ' s Lay of the Last Minstrel, it stands on a gentle eminence in full command of the approaches above and below. There, the lords of Branxholm maintained their large companies of retainers in the days of Border strife. Little remains of the fifteenth century stronghold for the castle was burned in 1532 by the Earl of Northumberland, and later in 1570 it was blown up with gunpowder by the Earl of Essex, but not before Scott himself, in anticipation of the vengeance of the English, partly destroyed it. The rebuilding was begun almost immediately by Sir Walter Scott and completed by his wife Margaret Douglas in 1574. On the twenty-fourth of June 1948, I set out to visit this old peel tower which bears the .same name as our school. As I entered the drive- way, I met a gardener whom I asked if I might be permitted to look around. He smilingly pointed out to me a lady gardening on the other side of the lawn and said, ' That ' s Her Grace. Tell her your story, she ' ll be very pleased to see you. The Dowager Duchess of Buccleuch, Chatelaine of Branxholm, received me graciously. I was invited into the old flag-stoned entrance hall with its armour and family portraits, and there Her Grace

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14 The Branksome Slogan enjoyed by the spectators and showed a great deal of practice on the part of the girls. In addition to our athletic aspirations, each form presented a play. Fourth form opened the series with IVA enacting a satire on Julius Caesar ' ' entitled ' ' God Caesar , and IVB by presenting a Mock Trial. In a joint effort, the fifth formis presented Lena Rivers , a comedy- drama which Mary Louise Edmonds completely directed, produced and acted in the title role. (A Laurence Olivier in our midst!) IIIA donned their best Irish brogues to present Spreading the News while IIIB had everyone rolling in the aisles with A Little Cuckoo . II A tried a new idea and held a Noihsaf Wohs ( Fashion Show spelled backwards) at the height of which Miss Read brought down the house when she appeared dressed as the typical school Marm of fifty years ago. IIB used an all negro cast to present Culcha . Both the second forms are to be commended on their original announcements which kept us in suspense until the curtains were pulled. Teen-age problems were aired by lA in their play For Whom the Telephone Rings ; and Nobody Home was presented by IB who gave an execellent performance. The Special and Commercial forms plan to enact Getting Pin in the spring term and everyone is looking forward to it immensely. Third, fourth and fifth form girls participated in plays, musical and educational programmes over the B.B.C. (Branksome Broadcasting Corporation) under the capable direction of Miss MacNeill. Jane Capon, Anne Blackwell and Diane Johnson sponsored a drive for the Community Chest during the fall term, and there was scarcely a member of the school who was not sporting a red feather on her blouse. Although a slight matter of exams must be attended to in the near future, everyone is looking forward to the Strawberry Festival, the Graduation Dance and the Prize-giving. Looking back on this year we can see that it has been filled to the brim with fun and interest and we think all will agree that it has been a wonderful year. KINGS OF NIGHT CLOUDS Hawks call Unto the night Like ghosts they skin the trees And prey on those ' below for food Of life. Like ships They sail the sky, Their hazy outlines blurr ' d And changing with each breeze to form More dreams. ANN SUTHERLAND. ANNE SMYTH.

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16 The Branksome Slogan plied me with questions about Branksome Hall, Toronto. Its founding, its history, the school badge, the school uniform were discussed with great interest. Her Grace told me that the Scotts, descended from the Earl of Monmouth, a son of Charles the Second, were entitled to wear the Stewart tartan. I was shown some very old etchings and a history of the castle. Together we read the original motto of the Scotts and found the words Keep well the road. Her Grace then very kindly offered to take me on a tour of the castle and I could not have wished for a more informed guide. Two old towers, Nesbie and Tentifute, dating back to the restoration period of 1571-74, still stand. Over an old doorway we read together the ancient legend cut in letters of stone which we have displayed in a panel in our hall. ' ' In vorld is nocht natur hes vrought yat sal lest ay, Thairfore serve God, kei p veil ye rod, thy fame sal nocht dekay. Sir Valter Scot of Branxholme, Knycht ; Margaret Douglas 1571. ' What a splendid motto for a girls ' school, remarked Her Grace as she shook hands with me and expressed her pleasure at my visit. It had been a great day for me too. My one regret was that I wasn ' t wearing the school uniform! JESSIE R. JOHNSTON.