Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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28 SELWYN HOUSE SCHOOL MAGAZINE Maxi was a great help in the transportation of the books, and in their arrangement in the new quarters. His ideas are always interesting. Peter Terroux is a very good organizer, and is of great assistance. Michael Barry is quick and practical, and has prepared many books for circulation. Kerry Martin has a genius for the display of exhibits. With all this assistance the library received a new impetus. During the past year there have been many kind gifts. Mrs. E. A. Stanger donated a large collection of useful books which were gratefully received. Dr. N. J. Berrill presented a copy of his latest work Man's Emerging Mind , which is a valuable addition to the library. Mrs. Berrill gave a copy of her last book Wonders of the Wild . This became very popular, and was much appreciated. Collections of books were kindly donated by the followingz- Sir Douglas Copland, Miss Mabel Molson, Teddy Coumantaros, Francisco Cardona, Aleco Kairis, Andrew McNaughton, Charles Chaffey and Pandy Embiricos. Other useful books were given by Jonathan Birks, Peter Russel, Robert Diez, John Harding, Brian Shemilt, Mrs. Tester, and Stephen Paquet. The National Geographic Magazine, a gift of the Vth. Form. has been greatly enjoyed throughout the year. Gordon Peters continued to give the Junior Nature magazine which is much appreciated. Both these magazines are circulated. The 'Nature' section of the library received two gifts. One was a snake-skin from Christopher Hoffman, and the other an almost perfect crab from Ralph Malone. Mr. Tees sent us the first-day issue of the 1955 Scout stamp from the International Jamboree at Niagara. This was an interesting addition to the Scout Exhibit. The number of books added to the library from May 3, 1955 to March 24, 1956, is 263. A large collection of new books, lately acquired but not yet ready for circulation, is not included in this number. Amongst the outstanding books already numbered in the acquisitions of this year are the followingn- The Animal Kingdom in three large volumes, edited by Fred. Drimmer, two volumes of the Oxford Junor Encyclopedia, the History of England , by G. M. Trevelyan, and the Struggle for Mastery in Europe , by A. J. P. Taylor. The circulation of books from April 1, 1955 to March 27, 1956 was 4,628 - an increase of 963 over the total of last year: Books on 'Science' in circulation during the year numbered 316, in 'History' 206, in 'Geography' 174, in 'Nature' 226, in 'Biography' 150. The remainder of those circulated dealt with 'Younger Books', 'Things-to-do', 'Sports' and 'Fiction'. Books accessioned to date number 3915. The library members feel specially proud of Martin Campbell who, at the age of nine years, won the first prize in the Montreal Children's Library Book Contest of this year.

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FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1955-1956 27 Kerry Martin showed a display relating to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This was much enioyed. lt was colourtul and interesting. Kerry even had two figures of the Police in their uniform. These were added to by Aylesworth MacNaughton who provided one mounted and one unmounted. Books were shown relating to their activities. Altogether it was a satisfactory exhibit. During these special collections we enioyed several smaller groups of coins, stamps, and geological specimens, David Brown had a well-labelled and arranged group of the latter. Jon Scott added to his exhibit an interesting mollusc. Philip Webster, Andrew Burgen, Peter McConnell and David Laing all brought in samples of rock, only some of which could be identified, but all occasioned much enquiry and study. Coins were provided by Victor Vickers, who also showed Italian 8. Belgian bills - and Lawrence Moquette, who lent coins from Belgium 81 Spain. Stamps were exhibited by David Laing from Europe, South America, and Asia. Robert Diez showed stamps from Roumania and Monaco, Jamie Morgan from Czeckoslovakia, Switzerland 81 Austria. Michael Rawlings arrived with a Jew's harp, the first we have ever had in the library, so it was found very interesting, as were also his coins from France, the United States, Mexico, and the Straits Settlements. He had a coin said to be Etruscan, which was the most curious of all. ln his exhibit was a dollar bill of the United States, series of 1896. While all our exhibitions were in progress, lan Robson appeared with a large and fierce-looking alligator Cperhaps two feet Iongj. So alive did it look that we had to put it on a high shelf, and there it was surveyed from a distance. It did not stay long, but while in the library it created a sensation. An outstanding event during this term was the generous loan, made by Michael Berrill, of the medieval castle which he constructed himself. lt was full of Crusaders, ready to hold the castle, or to leave for wars in the Holy Land. lt was eagerly studied by all members of the library and they appreciated the privilege of seeing it. Many thanks are extended to Michael. Just as the Easter holidays approached, Gordon Peters brought in a collection of interesting stamps from lndia, New Zealand, France fwith one from Lourdes! and Canada. The latter showed the stamp issued to commemorate the departure ofthe Canadian hockey team for the Olympics. Brian Shemilt lent a group of beautiful shells from Florida, a glimpse of the sea after all our earth-bound displays. An exhibition of very valuable stamps was arranged by Maxi Ferro. lt comprised some examples of the earliest issues made during the middle of the last century, when stamps were Hrst used for postage. The most valuable in Maxi's collection was one of 1843 from Brazil. Others were shown from the German States, Denmark, Cyprus, Eastern Silesia and lndia - all of great interest, as well as examples from Canada, China 8. the United States. John Chamard contributed to this display a valuable series commemorating the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. Christopher Coristine lent two very good stamps to this exhibit. They were from the Bahamas and Uruguay. Generous offers of assistance in the work of the Library have been accepted from Maxi Ferro, Peter Terroux, Kerry Martin, and Michael Barry.

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FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR i955-1956 29 Q Debating This year's Lambda Club consisted of fifteen members: Robert Aikman, David Barry, John Chamard, Robert Colby, Brian Dodd, Robin Gilbert, Alex Grant, Robert Hallett, James Henwood, Ditlef Knudsen, Nicky LeMoine, Stephen Parker, David Phillips, George Thomson and Peter Vodstrcil. At the first meeting, the Executive Committee was elected by the members, with Chamard voted as President, Aikman Vice-President and Phillips as Secretary-Treasurer. The Club met every two weeks, usually on Friday, with alternate meetings in the afternoon and evening. They were varied and featured hat nights, one minute speeches, quizzes, debates and a discussion on movies. Great enthusiasm was shown by all members. Some of the general debates were, That Israel should be called the aggressor in the Middle-East crisis , That Coeducation is a desirable thing , and that Brain is more advantageous than Brawn . We wish to thank Robert Aikman for donating a gavel to the Club. We all had a most enjoyable time and we wish to extend our best thanks to Mr. Speirs for the work he did in assuring the success of our Club, also to Mr. Moodey, who stepped in when Mr. Speirs was elsewhere engaged. - D. P. PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST The annual public speaking contest of the school was held in February. The preliminaries were judged by the headmaster and the finals by Mr. P. A. G. Clark, Co-ordinating Officer of the Protestant School Board. Finalists and their subiects were as follows:- Robert Aikman: Racial Segregation. David Barry: Movie's Greatest Triumph. John Chamard: A Canadian Achievement. Robert Hallett: New Frontiers of l956. David Phillips: An Outstanding Personality. Peter Vodstrcil: The Olympic Games. All finalists spoke at a special assembly of the entire School. After congratu- lating the contestants upon their fine showing, Mr. Clark awarded first place to John Chamard and second to Robert Aikman. Ditlef Knudsen acted as chairman of the proceedings. Christmas and Easter Entertainments A most successful Carol Service was held at Christmas under the direction of Mr. Phillips. Scripture passages were read by senior boys and carols rendered by the various choirs as follows:- Junior Choir Senior Choir Once in royal David's city. A child this day is born. l SGW Tlifee Sl lP5- Angels from the realms of glory. Christmas is coming. Sons Day Carol. lntermediate Choir. Ding Dong Merrily on high. Dear nightingale, awake. He smiles within his cradle Come in, dear angels. Song of the Nativity. l wish you a Merry Christmas. Combined Senior and Intermediate Choir The twelve days of Christmas.