Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan Pat — ' ' And Miss Read, how is it that you have your school in On- tario? On Valentine ' s Day we had the pleasure of another dinner party. The presence of a number of Old Girls added to our happiness . . . we love to see them back again, sitting in their old places. After dinner our two smallest supporters, Karen Johnson and Linda Ivey, marched forward and clambered up to stand in the chair of honour. A King- and Queen they were, asi they graciously bestowed favours on their subjects with many infectious gig-g-les. Bon Voyage, Miss Read! was our theme as we gathered to hon- our our Principal before she sailed for Europe. Enthusiasm was high as spokes- men Margot Thompson from Har- rogate, Nancy Hinchclilfe from Main, and Janet Hutcheson from Sherborne heaped good wishes upon good wishes for a pleasant cross- ing, a successful mission and a safe return. Miss MacNeill summed up the feelings of the School on this oc- casion, explaining that it was never quite the same without the ' ' pepper and salt of the School. We all put our hearts into a live ly chorus, For She ' s a Jolly Good Fellow , and three resounding cheers rang out. Patricia Marriner, on behalf of the School, sent our greetings to Sherborne School in England, and to friends in England and Scotland. ( It

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30 The Branksome Slogan Activities . . . THE CAROL SERVICE On Sunday, the eleventh of December, the organ in Saint Andrew ' s Pl-esbyterian Church pealed out with a majestic sum- mons, calling forth all the faithful to come and sing at Christ ' s Nativity. A host of girl ' s voices was to bring songs of praise from many lands of Europe to the large congregation and the solemn sweet- ness of the Christmas pageant was to have its centuries-old re-enact- ment during the ceremony. Brank- some Hall was once more having its Carol Service, now become tra- ditional. From the darkened balcony, guests watched the quiet proces- sion of the choir approach and fill the chancel. After a moment of silence, the conductress gave the signal for the opening note and the music overflowed — sometimes in a sweetness that brought tears toi many eyes, sometimes in the ecstasy of a Polish hymn, some- times with the beautiful simplicity of a Dutch or Lapland carol. The very air was still as angels moved near in the darkened church. A single voice rose on high — 0, Zion ' s daughter — As Joseph watched with his shepherd ' s crook and Mary with her tender smile, the infant Jesus received the obeis- ance of wisemen and shepherds. No ' W tune your harps, celestial hosts. Fill heaven with music sweet. Thus the service ended, and the organ was silent once more, but the music is still ringing and re-ring- ing in many hearts, as it is in the heart of Branksome itself. Much credit is due to Mrs. Coutts for training and directing the choir, and to Mrs. Perry for once more presenting to us the Christmas Story in all its power and beauty. DINNER PARTIES The redolent fragrance of pine, the festive gaiety of British Col- umbia holly and the anxious, eager spirit of Christmas cast a magic spell over the dining hall on De- cember 11th, the night of the dinner party. By the flickering glimmer of eandlelight we sat down to our feast, and a feast of toasts and speeches followed the Christmas fare. Well-wishers toasted the School, its Principal, its teachers and its sports. Miss Bradshaw spoke to us on behalf of the Staff. She came with a well-prepared manuscript, but in her enthusiasm she soon discarded it. In a clever and amusing speech Miss Christie proposed a toast to the prefects and sub-prefects. (Thank you, Miss Christie.) Miss Read drew the warm tartan rug (a merry Christmas from us all) around her shoulders as she addressed the school, finally touch- ing upon her favourite topic (Let me see, what was .that place? . . . Ah, yes, Nova Scotia.) Penny— ' ' You haven ' t seen any- thing till you come outi West.

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32 The Branksome Slogan DRAMA REPORT On the evening of March fourth, howls of laughter and thundering app ' lauise greeted the 1950 school play. Arsenic and Old Lace , Kes- selring ' s clever comedy, was this year ' s choice, and under the able and patient direction of Miss MacNeill and Miss Sime, the play was well handled by an excellent cast. Joan Somerville and Carole Perry as Miss Abby and Miss Martha were the prototypes of innocent old maidenlhood; Wendy Aitken, as Elaine, gave a very convincing performance of the confused heroine, and Barbara Wright as the bewildered hero, Mortimer, kept up the comedy and sus- pense with the ease of a born actress. Allison Roach, in the role of President Roosevelt, or the loony Teddy Brewster, captivated the audi- ence with her pompous entrances, and with her overpowering CHARGE! Lynn Dibblee, a most versatile actress, portrayed the sinister Jonathan, a difficult part, in a very convincing performance. Special honours should be awarded to Ruth Pidgeon, who acquired a German accent and a beard in two weeks, and most vividly brought the stumbling little Dr. Einstein to Hfe. Honourable mention goes tO ' Geraldine Jephcott, as the domineering Brooklyn police officer, and to Claire Mc- Mullen, as the up-and-coming (?) playwright who had been biding his time for twelve years, in the police force. These principals were enthusiasti- cally supported, by Ann Cooling, Susan Anderson and Shirley Mair. Nancy Lyle and Mary Wilkinson took the parts of two policemen, (unifoirms, courtesy U.C.C. Cadet Cbrps !). Perhaps top honours should go to Brank- some ' s illustrious actor, Mr. Spenalzo, the stuffed masterpiece . Mr. Spenalzo was most terrifying with his life-like lurches, and lived up to his shadowy reputation in the second act. Altogether an evening of enchantment !