North Toronto Collegiate Institute - Howler Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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THE HOH'l-liR,1934 yourself, many of them worse. But in lirst form, fifth formers are regarded as almost unapproachable, and certainly to be respected. This change is natural, but the attitude of the first fonner is an extremely strong argument in favour of the prefect system, instituted in this school by Colonel XVood. A few in the upper forms are not inclined to take it seri- ously, but a little broadmindedness and co- operation from them would do a great deal towards its success. A very important part of school life is that play ed by the various clubs and societies. Not only do these promote interest in, and extend the knowledge of the arts to which they devote themselves, but once again that spirit of co- operation and sometimes of healthy rivalry is developed. This value is apparent when one considers that, except in a few cases, one's progress is inseparable from social environ- ment, and to succeed in anything, one simply must be socially related to others. Perhaps the greatest thing for which we have to thank our high school is the fact that we have, in part at least, received an educa- tion. VVhat do we mean by that? There is an idea very prevalent among certain people, usually of an over-practical turn of mind, that most of the subjects taught in high school are of little use to the student in later life. What's the use of Latin? And if Latin is going to be of some use to a man, certainly mathematics will not help him, in any way, and so on. Now all this is extremely narrow- minded. The purpose of a secondary educa- tion is not merely to amass knowledge, but to learn how to think, how to meet and solve for oneself, problems that will later arise. lf a man cannot think for himself, he will always be dependent on someone else-and certainly no one will deny that the original thinker enjoys greater freedom and scope for advance- ment than the mere imitator Therefore when you are inclined to consider your studies dull, remember that in making you exercise your brain, they are rendering you a service of the greatest value As we look back over the last few years, at North Toronto, it is with a feeling of justi- fiable pride that we recall its growth during Page Nineteen our stay here. .Xll the improvementsfan extra storey, new cafeteria, new gymnasium, playing field and track, and an enlarged enrolment- reflect its rise to the position of one of the largest and hest collegiates in the city. This increase in size. moreover, has been accom- plished by an increase in the quality of the school. As examples of this, we have the fine showing of our track team last year in the Canadian meet, the winning of the city cham- pionship by the football team this year, the increased number of scholarships won by the school in the past tive years, the winning of the Star Shield for the best high school maga- zine in Ontario by the Howler in 1931, and many other achievements. Since we cannot live in the past, though we may think fondly of it at times, the important thing is the innuence of past deeds on the future of the school. A standard is set and as each year goes by, that standard is raised. And now, in conclusion, I should like to repeat, as a little incentive perhaps, four lines from XVordsworth's Ode to Duty. These lines may be adopted for our purpose as ex- plaining the struggle undergone at school, and the lesson learned there-learned, but not fully realized till after graduation. The poet makes this confession to Duty: .4 And oft, when in my heart was heard Thy timely mandate, I deferred The task, in smoother walks to stray, But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may. ff :if 4: Ik Uncle, are you really a cannibal? VVhat makes you think that ? XVell, mother says you're always living on somebo ly. Pk as :sf Pk Phonetic Love O.M.L.E. what X.T.C. I always feel when U.I.C. I used to rave of L.N.'s eyes, For K.T. I gave countless sighs. For L.C. too, and L.N.R. I was a keen competitor. But they're a non-N.T.T. For U.X.L. them all, U.C.

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Pllfln' Ijiglzlcciz THE HOIVLER1934 ir VALEDICTORY af Our Graduates of 1933 Bid Au Revoir to' North Toronto Through Their Representative, James A'Court. X ss James A'Court OLONICI. XYOUD, Honourable Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: As this is probably our last formal visit to the school, I should like to take this oppor- tunity of thanking all of those who have helped us in any way during our school career. One. of course, to whom we owe a great deal, is Colonel NVood. In the lower forms he is regarded with a good deal of awe. Then amongithe higher students, some begin to get a little critical, saying among themselves what they would have done on certain occasions, had they been in his place. However, I am sure that a little thought will convince you all that anything Colonel Wood does is for the benefit of the student body as a whole, and the school itself. The teaching staff particu- larly deserve credit, for theirs is a hard task, and much of their work is unappreciated by the students. As soon as you leave the school, however, and no longer- have the same teach- ers to rely on, you will realize what a great help they have been, and the debt you owe them. Dictating notes and assigning a fixed amount of work each night tend to cause the student to lose any initiative he or she might possess. Of course these things are necessary, for otherwise some students would never do any work, but to the student who takes his or her work seriously, and especially to those who intend going on to university. it is absolutely vital to learn to work alone, only going to the teacher for help when a special difhculty is met. At this point I should like to congratu- late, on behalf of last year's class, North To- ronto's Senior football team on winning the city championship. It is an achievement worthy of merit, and, we hope, only the forerunner of other similar successes. XYith regard to games, they are an essential part of everyone's life. They really serve two purposes. First of all. they are a source of healthy recreation, and for this reason alone everyone should partake in them. But games also have another just as important function, that of character building, and the best game for this purpose is the team game. XYhere a group is playing together, a spirit of co-operation is developed which is invaluable, because it remains after the game is over, and is then applicable to other things. Those who offer lack of ability as a reason for non-participation in games, I would urge to remember that it is not necessary to excel in sports in order to be a good sport, and in the eyes of everyone of intelligence, the good sport is preferable. Thus I would say that everyone, from the first former up, ought, if physically able, to take part in some form of sport. This mention of the first former recalls a point of psychological ,value, the attitude of the first former to the fifth. If you people in fifth form will just go back four or five years, you will be surprised to discover how your attitude toward the fifth former has changed. Now, to you, they are common-place, Ordinary people, no better in any way than

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Page T'Zl'6'IIfy THE HOIVLER, 1934 ak THE KERR CUP -A' Moore Tafts-Kerr Cup Winner HE Kerr Cup, one of the most coveted trophies of the school, was won this year by Moore Tafts. There were eleven pupils nominated, but because of his Academic and Athletic standing, and his popu- larity around the school, Paddy, as he was familiarly known, was awarded the honour. Paddy started his high school career at North Toronto in 1928. For the next five years he maintained a high standing in his -+1 CRATORICAL CONTE Owing to the fact that the Howler staff have decided to publish the magazine earlier than usual, we are not able to announce the results of the debates. So far, however, the exponents of the art of Demosthenes have been delving into many deep subjects. Political, economic and social problems have been argued with equal skill and vigour. The third forms are now on their studies and also had time left for a prominent place in athletics. He passed in every exam. he wrote and left the school with fifteen first- class honour certificates to his credit. Some record! According to the teachers, if everyone were like Paddy, teaching would really be a pleasant task, because he had such a splendid spirit of co-operation in class and all school activities. Well, I am afraid teachers will not be enjoying themselves for a long time yet, because there are very few Paddys to lighten their burden. ln athletics, partly because of his deter- mined nature, he was a leader among his fellows. Although he took part in other games, his main interest was in rugby. He was a member of the Bantam and Senior teams and captain of the Junior team. Due to his bril- liant playing and ready alertness in his games, he was a regular rugby-fan idol. Last year, when Prefects were introduced to the school, Paddy was chosen as leader of the corps. There have been Kerr Cup winners before and will be again, but Paddy, perhaps more than any other, possesses the necessary quali- iications. He was well known and well liked by more students than anyone else, and justly deserves the honour bestowed on the Kerr Cup winner. He is in Commerce and Finance at Varsity this year Cplaying more rugbyj, and we just want to take this chance to let him know that North Toronto is pulling for him and hopes that he keeps up the good work. bl, STS AND DEBATES third round, while the fourth form champion- ship remains to be settled between Vera Turnbull and Ronald Jolly of 4D and Nellie Coe and Tom Rowe of -LF. 5E and 5G are likewise to battle it for the fifth form champ- ionship, at a date not yet decided upon. At the time of going to press, the Oratory Contests had not been held, but the results will be published in next year's Howler.