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

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Echoes OnE of the four pillars supporting the Speaker ' s gallery in the Ontario Legislative Chamber bears the inscription, Spectemur acendo — Let us be viewed by our actions. For teachers, here is a thought at once inspiring and chastening — inspiring as it encourages us to act as we would wish our pupils to act; chastening as it requires us to assess our individual shortcomings. Your actions as a teacher will be reflected over and over again in the interests and attitudes developed by the boys and girls in your classroom. May you strive constantly to provide, in all that you do, a worthy example for the children in your care. Then, indeed, will your echoes roll from soul to soul And grow forever and forever. To each of you I extend all good wishes for success and happiness. F. S. RIVERS Superintendent of Professional Training 1955 Spectrum, Page 3

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Greetings from the Minister M OST gratifying it is to me to know that there are in the Teachers ' Colleges of Ontario this year nearly 2700 prospective teachers, an increase of more than 1000 over last year ' s enrolment. To me that is a clear indication that young men and women are beginning to realize, more than ever before, the opportunities for rendering public service which the teaching profession provides for its members. Of course, our profession offers other advantages in these modern times, as, for example, good salaries, security, and an enjoyable life. This year I have had a good many reports to the effect that the students in our Teachers ' Colleges are, on the whole, more responsible, more enthusiastic, and more buoyant than was the case years ago. That is gratifying, too, and may be due, as I think it is, to the new status and the greater prestige now enjoyed by the members of our profession. I hope you will face your new task next September cheerfully and happily in order that you may be able to perform your duties efficiently. A certain Service Club admonishes its members in this sentence; Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Perhaps we cannot always carry out this admonition fully but it is a good idea to try to do so. Nor will you be carried away, I hope, with any of the so-called new and unsound ideas regarding education because, in this old world, there are certain fundamental principles which never change, never have changed, and never will change. Of course, we make progress but always we hold fast that which is good. We must provide a good basic education which will equip the pupils of today for the duties of adult life which means that they must learn to work hard while they are in school; enjoy play when play is in order; and become accustomed to good firm discipline at all times. To the members of the staff of the London Teachers ' College and to all the students of that great institution, I send my personal good wishes for abundant success in all that you undertake. December 14th, 1954. Page 2, Spectrum, 1955

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Message to the Graduating Class of 1955 T J WO afternoons a week, from four till stomachs cry supper time, John coaches the senior boys, marching with the seasons from soccer into hockey, basketball into Softball. One night a week John weaves thirty-five individualistic tunes from as many young throats into one strand of choral harmony. John ' s other nights are devoured in preparing next day ' s dozen lessons, and in red-pencilling stacks of exercises that would otherwise bury his desk. Since he is only human — and young too — there are times when John wonders if the game is worth the candle, especially when that candle is being burnt at both ends. Nevertheless John knows that, taking the rough with the smooth, he is happier now than he has ever been. In the only way that one can learn it, by discovering it for himself, he has found the age-old secret of happiness: that one loves life most when his engine turns over at full capacity at a job which it can do, and which the engineer knows is worth the doing. Yet, at this time of the ever-shrinking work week, there are those who wonder at John ' s wisdom. And some of these voices are raised even in John ' s chosen work of teaching. You and I, however, would agree with John. We are in a job which lies in the no-man ' s-land between trade and profession. We want to push it over the line towards a profession. But professions are distinguished by several characteristics. One of these is the absence of clock-watching by its members. A professional worker lives his life resenting the iron frame of a day which contains only 24 hours. For him there are always many more things to do than hours to do them in. I know that this year ' s class is going to push our common job an inch further through the no-man ' s-land and towards professionalism. Like John, you will rev your mental engines faster than they have ever revved before. Like John, you will have times of utter bone-weariness. But also, like John you will gain glimpses of that kind of happiness, which of all the forms of happiness is the one that satisfies most and endures longest. F. C. BIEHL Principal Page 4, Spectrum, 1955