Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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PRESENT BUILDINGS FACING BUENA VISTA ROAD

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THE OLD BUILDINGS FACING BUENA VISTA ROAD, SHOWING FRONT ENTRANCE AS ELMWOOD GROUNDS AT THE REAR USED TO LOOK A GROUP OF ELMWOODIANS IN 1916 THE FIRST DRAMATICS C. Dougherty, L. Crowdy, D. Kingsmill, H. Lambart, M. Fleming, J. Wilson, D. Kingsmill, L. Wilson, J. Southam M. Adams, L. Fitzhugh J. Dixon, I. Wilson, M. Hope, B. Saunders, L. Wilson, I. Philpot

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SAMARA 3 Clmtuoob 3 octicUffe Barfe My dear Elmwoodians, Twenty- five years ago a gracious lady came to Ottawa with her husband and two young sons, and found in Rockcliffe, then an almost pastoral spot — cows grazed in Buena Vista — a rambling old homestead, part timber and part stucco, surrounded by leafy elms and grounds that trailed away into a swamp, the latter a veritable paradise for small boys and mosquitoes. Here she had a vision, a dream, or what you will. It was a lovely one, anyway, as all her dreams were. She visu- alized in that very spot a band of happy, carefree children, who would play in merry groups in those grounds; a place where they would learn about pixies and fairies, and fare forth in a world of their own making on ad- ventures like Arthur ' s knights of old, learn- ing the while of those lovely gracious qualities which little children must practise as well as grown knights who go in quest of the Holy Grail. The lady was Mrs. Philpot. The shady grounds were those which surround our school to-day. Thus Elmwood came into being. I have told you how I first saw the Rock- cliffe Preparatory School, as Elmwood was known then, in the fading light of an early evening in January, 1917. There had been a heavy fall of snow. All approaches to the house were obliterated. I could not see anything that even resembled a front door, but through the window there was a glow of firelight, which seemed symbolic. A light is a friendly thing, and I made my way towards that. Then I discovered a door, tucked as if by accident in a corner, and re- ceived a cheery greeting as I passed through. You all know why it was that we were at first known as the Rockcliffe Preparatory School. The oldest pupil then was not more than fourteen. In speaking of those days, Mrs. Philpot pays tribute to the generous interest of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keefer. A warm sponsor, too, who must be men- tioned in connection with this period of the school ' s history, was Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill, who was largely instrumental in interesting our present governors, and it was through him also that the now famous barn was converted and incorporated in the school buildings. Mr. Norman Guthrie and other parents were also most generous in helping to establish the school. Elsewhere in the magazine you will see pictures which will help you to recall the outward appearance of the school at that time. There is also a summary of the various changes the school has undergone. Here I want to dwell more especially upon what I believe to be the main characteristics that the school has developed during this first quarter of a century, and try to show how even in the beginning, in spite of badly constructed and ill-equipped buildings, many lovely things were planted, took root, and grew, inspired by the vital force of Mrs. Philpot ' s personality. To those days we owe our school colours and our emblem flower, the daffodil. In connection with this I should like to quote Mrs. Philpot ' s own words: The daffodil became to me a symbol in its happy way of growing in merry companies and open spaces, joyous, strong, companiable and free. Later when she presented the Philpot Token, which many of you have worn with pride, she said: I ask that the Token may emphasize for you this way of living, and that its spirit may foster an open, kind and generous influence in the school. . . . and if you will,. Let it be called the dfeffodil spirit. I offer the Token to be awarded each year to the girl who best maintains the spirit and the ideals which, as well as high standard in scholarship ' achieve- ment in games, and charm of manner, I have