Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 14 text:

Up and On When, in 1942, Ottawa Ladies ' College was expropriated for government purposes, Branksome reaped an unexpected benefit. The disbanding of that staff brought the young Jean Claxton to our doors and never has anyone repaid more generously the welcome she received. In those days the majority of Branksome teachers were from out of the province and the Ontario minority, especially, viewed with pleasure the addition to their ranks of a native of Kingston and a graduate of Queen ' s. Time and the Federal Government eventually proved that the Ontario wing (and everyone else) had every reason to be delighted. In 1978, still at Branksome, she was awarded the Queen ' s Silver Jubilee Medal for her contribution to education. Throughout her career Miss Claxton has taught Science. Her first assignment at Branksome was Chemistry and Biology; then Physics was substituted for Biology and when the various disciphnes were eventually organized as departments, she became the Head of the Science Depart- ment. Her final transmutation took place in 1968 when, without relinquishing other duties, she took on the respon- sibilities of the Assistant to the Principal. This bald outline of a professional life does not begin to tell what a fine teacher and a fine woman has meant to Branksome. The whole school acknowledges with gratitude the inestimable value of her contribution to every aspect of its operation. Her pupils have admired her pedagogy, respected her standards, beheved in her fairness, responded to her kindness, enjoyed her sense of humour and feared her wrath. With Miss Claxton there is no tergiversation; one knows where one stands. Her colleagues, too, can attest to her qualities and have found in her a loyal friend and a very pleasant help in time of trouble . They are keenly aware of her capacity for her unstinting efforts to direct the orderly progress of their daily work. Lest this should all sound as though a sainted Miss Claxton has passed to her reward, be assured that this is far from the case. As to the sainted , she is no paragon and can, (upon occasion,) be just as awkward as any other red-blooded woman. As to the reward we hope it will be many years of happy retirement. After 37 years of Branksome education she is bound to have learned how to enjoy life and we expect her to do just that, returning, of course, to tell us of her travels and her new experiences as a woman of leisure and perhaps to reminisce a little. We won ' t say Good-bye , Miss Claxton. We ' ll just say It ' s been good to know you. 10

Page 13 text:

Sleep during class without being noticed Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor-in-Chief Advertising Editor Junior School Editor Lay-Out Editor Literary Editor Photography Editor Sports Editor Staff Advisors Marg Moffat Chris Rukas Martha- Lynn Hardie Ginny Campbell Lavita Nadkarni Louisa Sosnkowski Frances Thorsen Janet Gilbert Miss Kenny Mrs. Gray Mrs. MacGregor Mrs. Roe Photocopy without breaking the machine. She must be able to give up her time, effort, throught (difficult at times), energy (what ' s left of it), artistic ability (if it exists), family (if she hasn ' t already been disowned), friends (???), sleep, and generally life ' s quieter moments. Examine these pictures carefully and if you think we ' ve passed the test, turn the page. A special thanks goes to our staff advisors: Miss Kenny, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. MacGregor and Mrs. Roe. Love, The Editors P.S. We hope you enjoy the book.

Page 15 text:

Everyone is sorry to hear that Mrs. McMillan is retiring as Dean of Residence this year. Fortunately, we can continue to benefit from her years of experience as she has agreed to remain at Branksome to take charge of the Principal ' s residence. Mrs. McMillan left her teaching post in Britain in 1967 to rejoin her son, Stuart, who was then hving in Toronto — a good move for it brought her to Branksome as head of MacNeill House and Assistant Dean. In 1975, she became Dean and we have all enjoyed her gentle leadership ever since. An astute judge of character, Mrs. Mac brings warmth and humour to the variety of situations which a school residence can produce. It is with great regret that we say au revoir and thank you to Mr. Patrick at the end of this school year, for Branksome has never had a more loyal friend. Mr. Patrick came to Branksome as business manager in May of 1971 upon his retirement from Sherwin Williams. Since then, he has given much love, care and time to the school, directing the various facets of the school ' s business and firmly controlling its purse strings. Branksome ' s good financial position is (to a large extent) the result of Mr. Patrick ' s management and certainly the smoothness with which our recent, compHcated restoration was achieved was due to his calm and careful planning. Always a gentleman, always kind, always willing to give more of himself than is asked, that is Mr. Patrick. We do not yet know the many ways we shall miss him, but we do wish him a satisfying and productive retirement. May he always consider himself part of the Branksome community. In my recent involvement with today ' s Branksome, I continue to be impressed with the ongoing enthusiasm of the school community. The best traditions of the school still exist, and the upcoming graduates combine those qualities and abilities which characterize Branksome Alumnae. Many of these quaUties like loyalty, perseverance and all- roundedness are traits which have been lived by Jean Macdonald Bennett, who resigned as Alumnae Registrar early this year. It was the Alumnae Association who started The Slogan, ' later to become the Alumnae News. The first edition Christmas Number, 1909 notes: The college paper is rather time-worn, and outsiders may think it dull, but it is meant to convey to the widely scattered Branksomites bits of news, gossip and greetings without which out-of-town Alumnae might lose connection, not only with the school, but with troops of old companions whose faces will be all the brighter when they meet by chance all through their lives. Think of the number of people who drop out of mind, not from lack of interest in them, or by them, but from lack of a binding tie. When the gathering cry of Branksome is sounded, friend- ships may be renewed and school days harked back to lovingly. Jean Bennett has brought continuity and enthusiasm to this binding person we call registrar, and always with an endearing good humour and resourcefulness. I know you all join me in wishing Jean a wonderful retirement, and we extend to her a huge thank you for her work over these many years. Carolyn Klopstock, Alumnae President 11