Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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Another friend who gave much time and thought to the School ' s progress in the early nineteen twenties was Mr. F. W. White, father of three old Elmwood- ians, in whom I found an every ready counsellor and helper when harassed and perplexed by the diffi- culties that beset the School at that time. Of Mr. Harry Southam ' s generosity we have daily evidence in the many pictures and engravings which hang on our walls and contribute greatly to our enjoyment and appreciation of art. The School Library owes much to the interest of Sir Arthur Doughty, onetime Dominion Archivist, who made many valuable contributions, while the athletic side of the school has always had a staunch supporter in Mr. Norman Wilson, who has not only presented many trophies for competition but, by his presence at Annual Field-days, instilled into us the elements of true sportsmanship. And then there is that long line of builders which includes mistresses and prefects, and all those girls w ho have in various ways brought honour to the School. And so in 1940 we look back over a quarter of a century, and we see in retrospect the Elmwood pageant, girls in green tunics filing into the Hall for morning prayers, flying as if on winged feet to tennis courts and playing-fields cheering themselves hoarse for Keller, Fry and Nightingale, assembling for Speech Day in white and yellow, with some assump- tion of the dignity that the Day demands, the keen, eager faces and smiling eyes growing a little more serious year by year as the purpose of School as a preparation for life unfolds itself. At the end of twenty-five years we find Elmwoodians in every part of the globe, carrying with them we hope and believe, like the winged fruit of the elm tree, samara, some- thing of the lessons we have tried to teach during their school days, the spirit of service, the beauty of usefulness, a readiness to meet whatever testing times may come with a serene courage, going forth with fellowship and kindliness and a true sense of fair play, so that wherever they may be they will work for the common good. And it is thus I would have you salute the past with reverence, as you march beyond it to the future. EDITH B. BUCK NOTE — In connection with the history of the school building we wish to add that in 1946 the Ahearn Memorial Wing was added, comprising the science laboratory and three modern classrooms. This was the gift of Mrs. Harry Southam and her brother, Mr. Frank Ahearn, in memory of their father, the Hon. Thomas Ahearn, who was a very great friend of Elmwood. fuLUe, % Mm Ruck Mrs. Buck, the Headmistress of Elmwood from 1920 till 1951, is returning to England to live. To Elmwood Ol d Girls across Canada this news will bring a sharp pang of sadness because to two generations of old girls it is impossible to think of our school without thinking of Mrs. Buck. When she became the headmistress in 1920, Elmwood was the Rockcliffe Pre- paratory School, designed to be a preparatory school for Ashbury, but accepting girls as pupils too. During the next few years, the Elmwood that we know today was developed and when Mrs. Buck retired in 1951, it had become one of the outstanding small boarding and day schools for girls on this continent. Looking back one marvels at the courage, wisdom and flexibility of mind that were required to make these changes and then to carry on the administration of the school during a period of tremendous economic and social upheaval; yet these things most of us took for granted. Our memories of Mrs. Buck are mostly of the close re- lationship that existed between her and her girls. It is the latter quality that makes a good headmistress into a great and beloved one. Elmwood was fortunate to have Mrs. Buck as Headmistress for so many of the most interesting years of the school ' s career. Since her retirement her concern for the school and for each girl there has remained constant and her advice has been sought on countless occasions. We wish Mrs. Buck many happy years in England though regret that a very dear friend has left Canada. However, these days, England is not so far away and, between Mrs. Buck, Elmwood and those of us who were at school with her, the bonds will still be close and strong. Wherever she may be in person, she will always remain in the hearts of old Elmwoodians. foge 23

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Following are excerpts from a message written by Mrs. E. Buck for the magazine of 1940. We thought you would be interested in the history given, and knew that you would be glad to have a message from Mrs. Buck as she leaves Ottawa to take up residence in England. 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 home- stead, part timber and part stucco, surrounded by leafy elms and grounds that trailed away into swamp, the latter a veritable paradise for small boys and mos- quitoes. Here she had a vision, a dream, or what you will. It was a lovely one, anyway, as all her dreams were. She visualized 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 adventures like Arthur ' s knights of old, learning the while of those lovely gracious qualities which little children must practice 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 today. Thus Elmwood came into being. You all know why it was that we were at first known as the Rockcliffe Preparatory School. The oldest pupil was not more than fourteen. In speaking of those days, Mrs. Philpot pays tribute to the gen- erous interest of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keefer. A warm sponsor, too, who must be mentioned in con- nection with this period of the school ' s history, was Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill, who was largely in- strumental in interesting our present governors, and it was through him also that the now famous barn was converted and incorporated in the school build- ings. Mr. Norman Guthrie and other parents were also most generous in helping to establish the school. Here, however, I want to dwell upon what I believe to be the main characteristics that the school has developed during the 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 person- ality. 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, companionable 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 daffodil 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, achievement in games, and charm of manner, I have always hoped may set their mark upon the School, i.e. the spirit of SERVICE, FEL- LOWSHIP, FREEDOM, FAIR-PLAY. Page It was in this manner that we had our beginnings. One of my first impressions of the school was that atmosphere of joyous companionship, both in work and in play, and I should like to think that the spirit of friendliness and comradeship still characterizes the school and impresses itself on all who come within its portals, for out of friendliness comes fellowship, the desire to serve, and many good things that this sadly torn world of today needs. Steadily the school grew. A bit was added here, and a bit was added there, to house our growing numbers — one bit a barn! Some of the old parts were very shaky. I remember on one occasion when the Duchess of Devonshire ( then residing at Govern- ment House) visited the school. So many people climbed the rather uncertain and creaky staircase in the old section of the house that we held our breath for fear the worst would happen and the vice-regal foot go through the stairs! However all went well then, but later a less august foot, of the primary mistress, went through the boards of her classroom floor, and Mrs. Harry Southam said, That decides it, or words to that effect. We must have a new building. And we did. I should like to say a word about those years from 1915 to 1925, to tell you of the generous friends and benefactors without whom the school could never have survived. First of all Mrs. Edward Fauquier and Mrs. Harry Southam. From the very beginning they had taken a keen interest in the school, and in 1919, they, with the Hon. Thomas Ahearn, purchased this property, and so secured the future of the school. Very considerable improvements were made, after which the whole of the property was handed over for the use of the school free of all charges, a truly magnificent gift. Early in the year 1920 Mrs. Philpot ' s health necessitated her taking an extended rest which unfortunately did not have the desired effect and in June she retired. At this time the Hon. Thomas Ahearn bought and presented to the school the en- tire equipment, and still further financial assistance was provided by Mrs. Southam and Mrs. Fauquier. I wonder how many of you know that it was through Mr. Wilson Southam that a very rough piece of ground was transformed into our present playing-field. Later the Hon. Cairine Wilson asso- ciated herself with the school ' s progress and com- pleted our present Board of Governors, and ever since Mrs. Fauquier, Mrs. Southam and the Hon. Cairine Wilson have been unfailingly behind every- thing that affects the welfare of Elmwood, giving generous financial aid and familiarizing themselves with all the problems of school management, and the welfare of staff and pupils. To their public- spirited attitude towards education, their broad vision and their counsel is due so very largely the success the school has achieved.

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