Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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Jubilee Number, 1953 Page eleven On October tenth, 1952, the installation of prefects took place in Rosedale United Church. For the first time, parents and friends of every girl were invited to at- tend the ceremony which Miss Read open- ed with an introductory address on the school motto, Keep Well the Road. The ratification of the appointments of prefects, sub-prefects and clan chief- tains then took place, and was followed by the presentation of the head girl and each prefect to our special guest, General Sir Arthur Smith. The four flags of Truth, Honour, Justice, and Purity were handed on from last year ' s prefects to their successors. Our new head girl re- ceived the school flag from her predecessor and promised to fulfil the responsibilities of her new position. In k eeping with the solemn moment, General Sir Arthur Smith addressed the school, identifying the Trinity with every- day life. He reminded Branksome girls that the school has the Bible as the foun- dation for its high ideals. The service closed with the ceremonial march out of church, led by the red- kilted head girl and prefects with flags, and followed by guests, staff , sub-prefects and clan chieftains with their banners. Once again the keeping of traditions at Branksome had ben handed down to those who promised to uphold and honour the high standards of the school. CLAN CHIEFTAINS Left to right — J. Logic, M. Latimer, M. L. Rennicks.A. M. Harding, L. J. Levering. Mumford, M. Bradshaw. M. Foord,

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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.

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Page twelve The Branksome Slogan On Januai-y thirteenth, 1953, a second installation of prefects took place, this time in the school gymnasium. The procession passed through the guard of honour formed by the sub-pre- fects. The clan chieftains took their places at the back of the stage, then- ban- ners prominently displayed. From Sherborne School in Dorset, Eng- land, the Head Mistress, Miss Diana Reader Harris, had come to be our guest speaker. After the prefects had been in- stalled. Miss Reader Harris spoke to the girls, reminding them that Branksome and Sherborne had been founded on the same religious principles. Her visit will long be remembered by every Branksome girl ; for her sincerity and friendliness captured every Branksome heart. This impressive ceremony can truly be considered one of the outstanding events of our Jubilee Year. 7 e zd Sfieec (As delivered at the Jubilee Dinner, April 24th, 1953.) Miss Read, Honoured Guests, members of the Alumnae, and Girls: — You have just had a history lesson on the first 50 years of our School. It is my pleasure to-night as Head Girl of the present year to give you a short lesson on Current Events. Of course every one thinks that her year is the best year of all — but we of 1953 are sure of it. How could it be otherwise — imagine taking a whole year to celebrate a Jubilee — every day something thrilling happening. What marvellous idea it is I We of 1953 hope — and I feel sure you will all agree with me — that this will become one of the many traditions of our School so that when our grandchildren are here for the 100th celebration, the principal will know her Bible as well as Miss Read and she too will read Leviticus 25 and 26 and make her plans accordingly. However, I would like on behalf of all the present girls to tell the Old Girls here to-night that we fully realize what a debt of gratitude we owe to you for the splendid foundation you have laid in the years that are past. Each of the 50 years has contri- buted something of real value — every year new ideas have been added which have become traditions of the School — every year the high scholastic standards and the fine school spirit which have made Branksome famous have been maintained, until now we can proudly state we have one of the finest schools in Canada, and are known not only throughout our own land, but as you can judge for yourselves from the many messages just read from far distant places, we are known in many other lands as well. This is the outcome of the work of no one year, or of no one person, but of individuals working to- gether for the good of all. Now that contribution does not end when we leave school. Therefore let us. Alumnae and Present Girls, ever strive to work together for the good of our school, so that it may continue to stand on our four cornerstones of Truth, Honesty, Jus- tice and Purity, and ever uphold our motto : Therefore serve God Keep well the road Thy fame shall not decay. In closing I would like to say that we of the Graduating Class of ' 53 believe we are leaving behind us a group of girls, second to none, a group capable and anxious to carry on and to reach even greater heights. We have indeed a wonderful heritage. The future is bright with promise. Let us not fail.