London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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Social Activities IT is possible that many of us have lost sight of our primary aim in at- tending the L. N. S., and of our responsibilities next year. We are told that the aim of the school is social efficiency; therefore, we, prospective teachers, must shoulder the responsibility of training the future citizens of Canada for social efficiency. Thus the importance ot our social life here, in fitting us tor the future, must at once become evident. In pursuance ot this aim our social activities at the L. N. S. have been on a larger scale than ever before. I am a part of all that I have met might truly be said by each of us respecting our social relationship this year, and we should all be exceedingly grateful to the executives of the Literary Society and to the staff for the efforts put forth on our behalf which have meant so much to us throughout the year. Our first venture in this field was an informal afternoon tea. This was served on the campus on a delightful autumn afternoon soon after our arrival here. Consequently, it served the very necessary purpose of making the students acquainted, and over a friendly cup of tea many new acquaint- anceships were made which have ripened into friendship throughout the year. The student body next met together, this time in sportive attire, on October 27th in honor of the mystic rites of Hallowe ' en. On that evening many were the ghostly figures seen wending their way toward the Normal, for the party took the form ot a masquerade. Within the school the shaded lights cast a mysterious glow over all, while from every corner gleamed the grimming features of the host ot Hallowe ' en. Below, in the dim flickering light, the basement re-echoed to the hollow rattling of the dry skeleton of — ■ — ■ — . With every noise one realized for the first time, perhaps, that one had nerves. The first part of the evening was spent in unmasking; then all assembled in the auditorium tor a short programme, the chief feature of which was a mock trial. At its conclusion everyone repaired to the gymnasium for promenades, and finally the Grand March led by Mr. and Mrs. O ' Brien. Prizes for the two best costumes were awarded to Miss M. Mead and Mr. W. Finlayson. Dainty refreshments were then served and everyone left with the feeling that Normal life was continuously opening up something new and strange. Happy as were all our school functions we must not omit our intertorm parties. These have served a very necessary function, that of linking our forms together. Although they have taken the forms of nut and weiner roasts, sleighing and tobogganning parties, and entertainments in the school, they have all equally served the common purpose of bringing us into our present close relationship with one another. Needless to say these parties were greatly enjoyed by all. Fulfilling a somewhat different function were our form parties. These have brought us into a more close and intimate touch with those with whom we work each day than would otherwise have been possible. Illustrating this, sleighing, tobogganning, theatre and school parties might be mentioned. All were greatly enjoyed and none deserves special mention above the rest, except, perhaps, the discovery of Longwood Inn by Form IV., as an ideal place tor an evening ' s tun. In passing we should not neglect to mention many delightful private parties which have brightened our school life between tests and lesson plans. Doubtless, many of our students have received an excellent training in the management of social functions. Not a few have already shown signs ot considerable natural ability in this line. On the evening of Feb. 23rd we had the honor of entertaining our staff, and our friends ot the model schools. The school was very prettily decorated in red and gold for this occasion. Our guests were first conducted to the auditorium where an interesting programme was given. The special feature of the programme was a short play put on by several of our students with the assistance, as usual, of our able librarian. This was considered an unqualified success, indeed one of the best for several years. Other special features were the selections by our school orchestr a. These were an unlooked for musical treat since few had realized what talent was in our midst. At the conclusion ot the programme everyone repaired to the gymnasium where refreshments were daintily served. These had been prepared in our domestic science classes, and, naturally, had been a source of great interest for some time, the results were not disappointing to our aspirants to domestic tame. Afterwards everyone joined in games and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of Auki Lang Syne. And now comes the climax of our social events. Foremost among the Castles in Spain of the average Normalite stands the AT HOMF, and this year it was an unqualified success. — 8 —

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What You ' ll Need Next Year EVKRYBODY that leaves this dear old school wants to do their Alma Mater proud. Ot course, you do — -you want to have your future pupils love you, the trustees to have confidence in you, the parents to trust and respect you. Then the problem — -How are you going to do this?— presents itself. You ' ll need a Sense ot Humor! What are you going to do when turning quickly from the hoard you observe some tough child elongating his tongue in your direction? What are you going to do when on opening your desk you find a dead bat clinging to the register? What are you going to do when, after repeated reprisals and endless corrections, a thoughtless boy deliberately slams the door? You can ' t ignore it — your pupils will never respect you again. You ' ll have to be stern with them — very stern; but, on the other hand, unless you have a saving Sense ot Humor you ' ll get absolutely crabbed within a tew years. Please take a large supply of Humor along with you next year. You ' ll need an infinite amount ot kindness too! What are you going to do when a little boy refuses to go to the board because he has on the tartan trousers his father wore before him? What are you going to do with the smug child whose father ' s the reeve and she ' s got two Sunday dresses, and she can ' t play with Jane Smith because her mother takes in washing? What are you going to do with the bully who thinks little boys were made to knock down and little girls ' hair is grown to pull? You ' ll have to do something — -so take lots of Kindness with you, you ' ll need it. You ' ll need some wear-ever Will Power! What are you going to do when you haven ' t heard from home for ages and the school seems a dirty, dusty, old hole and you ' re sorry you ever came inside its doors? What are you going to do when Mary Jacobs can ' t remember 11 x 11 = 121, when John Barton thinks and even insists that Toronto is the capital of Canada, when Harry Black always loses his homework (done religiously the night before?!) on the way to school? What are you going to do when over-worked, under-rested, near the breaking point of temper, some pupil arrives late, as per usual, and still more heinous crime, presents the very same excuse you used to use in school? Are you going to drop it all — -let the old temper rant and rave? Or are you going out to work next year with an everlasting, adamantine will power? Yet it ' s rather useless asking you all these questions — -because next year, in your work, you ' ll be trying so hard to put that lesson across that you won ' t think of any of these things. But never mind, fore- warned is fore-armed; have you got all the things you ' ll need for next year? Madaline Roddick The Witch ' s Charm Double, double, toil and trouble, Lesson plans set brain a-bubble; Matter, method, steps and question, Intermixed with apperception. Preparation, presentation, Teach and preach and just vexation; Sit down sick at your oblation, Then: — Model teacher ' s approbation (?) Try again on ' spended sentence, Perhaps at midnight ' s somber silence, In dim light of grim remembrance Melt again these bits of science. Boil it well in psychic lore, Sift in yours and then heaps more, Filter cant ' s, they ' re understood. Then your charm is firm and good. — E. V. Hi:

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Social Activities — Continued Although the weatherman could foresee nothing but rain tor the night of April 27th, Jupiter Pluvius was more lenient and that evening was as pleasant as anyone could wish. Our decoration committee had spent much time and trouble in their work but the artistic effect secured more than repaid them. From the beautifully decorated arch over the auditorium entrance to the artistically shaded lights everything seemed well nigh perfect. Owing to the careful preparations made, all went merry as a marriage bell. Our guests were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast representing the staff and by Miss McKaddin and Messrs. Perdue and Lusty representing our Literary Society. At the commencement of the programme our spacious auditorium was well filled. There were parents, brothers, sisters, and best friends of the students as well as many ex-students who came to spend one more happy evening in the good old Normal. Moreover, we were specially honored in having with us representatives from our sister Normal school in Stratford who brought from their staff and fellow students greetings and best wishes. A delightful and much appreciated programme was given bv Miss Thompson and Mr. Barr, vocalists, Miss Petrimoulx, pianist and Miss Roberts, reader. Part II. of the programme consisted of promenades, music for which was well furnished by Williams ' orchestra. During the promenades dainty refreshments were served in the gymnasium. Now that the At Home is past we look back to it as one of the most delightful functions of the year. Looking forward, we see looming in front of us the darkening clouds of final examinations, but we hope to meet in merry-making at least once again before the end of June, whatever be the form of this event. Still further ahead we see visions of a Christmas reunion. At that time we hope to assemble, not as teachers-in-training, although that word has many pleasant associations, but as fellow teachers. Then will we renew old acquaintanceships, relate experiences and while away the early hours in merrymaking. Let us now in retrospective mood look back over our year in the good old school. We see ourselves as High School graduates assembled here from practically every part of Western Ontario. We were ready for a year ' s training and incidentally some pleasure. W T e may now see how all our social activities have performed their two told function of giving pleasure, and social training. We are sure that the former has been accomplished, for we are all natural observes of the old adage with mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come. As to the latter we look forward confidently to the future. Happy to meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again. B. Taylor. Expansion is a very good thing, excepting when it goes to the head. When you are down in the mouth Think of Jonah — He came out all right. Fate makes our relatives, choice makes our friends. He that hath knowledge spareth his words. Think twice before you speak, then talk to yourself. Happiness is not a matter of income but of output. CREAM If the outlook is not good — -try the uplook. The world looks not at your faith, but at the kind of life your faith causes you to live. Sacrifice is service forgetting self. There is no cold cream that will keep away the wrinkles — like the milk of human kindness. Respect every man ' s opinion — act on your own. — 9 —