Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 11 text:

Jubilee Number, 1953 donald, Miss Mabel McCurdy, Miss Anna McRae and Miss Susan Fotheringham. One of the highlights of the school week was the series of lectures on English Lit- erature by Dr. Alexander MacMillan, and I have in my proud possession a beautiful book of engravings which was presented to me by Dr. MacMillan as a prize for an Essay on Elizabethan Literature. The other prize presented at the same time was won by Jean Ross McKay — now a missionary in Formosa. But although all the staff contributed to the success of the school in more early years, the guiding spirit was always that of Miss Scott herself. As she had always been a serious Bible student and had a strong Christian faith, she built her school upon a foundation of Bible precepts and Bible knowledge. It was not surprising that a school, built upon such a foundation of integrity should quickly win the confidence of the public, and in a few months after Branksome opened its doors, new class-rooms had to be added and the following year, still more. Sometime during Miss Scott ' s regime but a long time after my day, there came to the school as a boarder, a little girl. She had dark curly hair, big brown eyes and was noted for her lovely smile, her vivacity and her friendliness to every- one. But no one guessed then what an important part she was to play in the future of the school. This was no other than Miss Ainslie McMichael. It is impossible for me in a few words to express what a fine contribution I feel Ainslie has made. As a former pupil her- Page nine self and a very active part of the present day life of Branksome she is an invalu- able link, a sort of Liaison Officer between the old pupils and the school as it is now. You will all agree with me I know, that Ainslie ' s vivid personality has added some- thing very vital to the Branksome story. Now we shall go back to 1906. Three years after the school was first opened, a new member was appointed to the staff in the pei ' son of a young girl from Halifax, Nova Scotia, She brought with her, young as she was, a brilliant scholastic record, both from Dalhousie University and Radcliffe College, Cambridge Massa- chusetts. In appointing Miss Edith M. Read, M.A., to her staff. Miss Scott build- ed better than she knew for four vears afterwards, having grown weary and feel- ing the weight of her years, Miss Scott gave up the school and gladly and thank- fully placed it in the hands of Miss Read. It was a matter of supreme satisfaction to the founder that the new Principal of Branksome would carry on the same high standards and ideals which she herself had striven so faithfully to uphold. How well Miss Read has lived up to the sacred trust which was placed upon her shoulders, only those of us can ap- preciate who have watched with affection and loyalty, the progress of the school until its fiftieth year. In closing I would like to pay my tribute, not only to Miss Scott, not only to Branksome Hall in its fiftieth year, but to Dr. Edith Read, whose qualities of mind and heart and whose indomitable spirit, have made this Golden Jubilee possible.

Page 10 text:

Page eight The Branksome Slogan Miss Read, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a very great honour, as well as a very great privilege to be called on, on this glorious occasion, to represent the early years of the school, and the girls who were the first students of Branksome Hall. But although it is an honour and a privilege, I cannot truthfully say that it is a great pleasure, as I find it quite terri- fying, in my declining years, to be con- fronted for the first time in my life with a microphone, and also, to be called upon to speak before such a large and imposing audience, is enough to daunt the bravest spirit. But you all know Miss Read! When she called me up and asked me to do this, she over-ruled all my objections by the simple method of saying Good- Bye and hanging up! Now, to admit that I was in the school in September, 1903, is indeed to put my pride in my pocket. But were I to take the easy way out, and say that I was in the nursery school, there are girls in this room, contemporaries of mine, who would immediately rise to their feet, and publicly denounce me ! So that avenue of escape is definitely closed. To realize that our school has reached its fiftieth year, is a sobering thought. But Miss Read feels that this occasion is not entirely one of gaiety and excitement, but also one of quiet joy and thankfulness. Joy that the vision and ideals of the early years have been reached, and thankful- ness that our school has been permitted not only to continue its existence, but to grow and expand in the most am.azmg way, constantly reaching higher stand- ards of character and education. Now, I would like to take you back to the first school. It was a large handsome residence on Bloor St. East, the former house of the late Sir Frank Smith. It was surrounded by spacious lawns, large trees, an iron fence and gates and a drive- way. The driveway was for carriages. In that era there were no radios, no television sets, no aeroplanes — and I might add, no microphones — and His late Majesty, King Edward VII sat upon the throne of England. But the girls of that day were not aware of any lack of modern invention or luxury. They played tennis and basket ball and had a skating rink, but there was no gymnasium, no swimming pool and no school uniform. The girls wore blouses and skirts, high collars, long sleeves and high buttoned boots. The popular hair- do, a pompadour was topped with large butterfly bows of wide black tafi ' eta ribbon. To those of us who knew Miss Margaret T. Scott, the founder of Branksome Hall, she will be remembered as a remarkable woman of her day and generation. She had a strong personal- ity, force of character and great digriity. As Lady Principal and Teacher, she brought to her pupils, a fine mind, long ex- perience in teaching and a warm human understanding. If once you became her pupil, she never forgot you but was deep- ly interested in your welfare as long as she lived. Associated with Miss Scott as co-prmci- pal was Miss Merrick, a charming person, whom we all remember with pleasure. Among the staff, I knew Miss Mary Mac-

Page 12 text:

Page ten The Branksome Slogan This week-end, April 23rd to 26th, cele- brating Branksome ' s fifty years, began with Open House at the School Thursday afternoon. Many Alumnae, parents, friends and present girls came to see the different activities presented. Events were held continuously in the swimming pool and games of volley ball, basketball, etc., were played in the gym and grounds. All the classrooms as well as the living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, etc., were open to inspection ; cooking was demonstrated in Home Economics and work was shown in sewing, handicrafts and in the Commercial Department. On Saturday evening, April 25th, a most enjoyable dance was held at the Strath- gowan Club, and on Sunday morning many attended a special service at St. Andrew ' s United Church, when the Branksome Choir supplied the music. But there is no doubt that the highlight of the Jubilee celebrations was the dinner held at the Royal York Hotel, Friday even- ing, April 24th. Under Miss Read ' s splen- did management it was an unqualified success. There was never a dull moment. In every event during Branksome ' s Jubilee year, the keynotes have been praise and thanksgiving and it was fitting that at the dinner, which was the biggest event, this note should be struck. Before we sat at table Miss Portia White sang the doxology in the old Scottish rendering of the words and music. In order to bring up to date the girls who had not been at the school for some time, various innovations made during the years were presented between courses. Led by Pipers, girls in the colourful uni- forms of the Head Girl, Prefects, Sub- prefects, Clan Chieftains and ordinary students, formed a group on the platform, surrounding a four tiered birthday cake on which were fifty candles, this was made by the school cook. At this time the school song was sung and the cake cut by Ains- lie McMichael. The toast to Her Majesty, the Queen, was followed by speeches. The speakers were all brief, very much to the point and most entertaining, beginning with Dr. Al- exander MacMillan, who gave Branksome its name and was a member of the original staff and who made a most delightful speech. Lillie Shannon Plant, who was a pupil the first day the school opened, then gave a very fine address telling of Brank- some ' s early days. Katharine Boyd car- ried on from there covering a period of some years, followed by Isabel Adams Mcintosh who proposed a toast to Miss Read after which For She ' s A Jolly Good Fellow was sung. Many telegrams from absent friends and alumnae were read before the Principal called on Constance Cann Wolf, Branksome ' s only balloonist, to say a few words. Joan Mitchell Blintoft followed with a very witty speech, then, in closing, Jean Wahlroth, this year ' s Head Girl, brought us up to date by describing Branksome as it is to-day. It is, unfortunately, impossible to con- vey in words the enthusiasm, the happy atmosphere and the very fine tone which one felt from the very beginning of pro- ceedings until the last notes of Auld Lang Syne were sung.