Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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FOU DER'SD Y1984 Wi. eg, '4' W 'U 5 .. 9 .f 1 t ,vis X. N. ,JG f. f f av'- W. wit -1 W.. 1-. .art s As you are aware, in 1981 the Board of Directors created the Speirs Medal in memory of the late Robert Speirs. Traditionally, this Medal is awarded on Founder's Day to a friend of the School yy ho has contributed significantly to it ov er the years. This year, we are pleased to present the Speirs Medal, by unanimous and en- thusiastic vote. to Mr. Gordon Phillips. Mr. Phillips began his career at Selwyn House in 1933 and retired in 1972, a career of forty years. During this career, Mr. Phillips' remarkable contribution to every phase of school activity was equalled only by his unselfish service to the Montreal community at large. At the School, his subjects were English and Latin which he taught with consummate skill. In fact, as one of his students 1 can remember vividly that mensa was the first Latin word he taught me. In addition, he enjoyed a distinguished career as a church organist in the City and his competence in music enabled him to organize a very successful singing programme at the School. As the truly all around person he is, Mr. Phillips was also an avid cricketer who eventually assumed control of the School's Athletic Programme. In 1951, Mr. Phillips was appointed Senior Master of the School by Dr. Speirs, the Headmaster in whose honour this award is given. And when Dr. Speirs and the Board decided to create the title of Director of Studies in 1963. Mr. Phillips' abilities and dedication were further recognized when he also became the Director of Studies for the Senior School. By this time, Mr. Phillips' choir had become a distinguished tradition at the School. Every year, Mr. Phillips prepared several groups of boys for public performances and their singing became an essential part of annual entertainment and prize givings. Mr. Phillips was also responsible for adapting the School hymn to the tune to which it is now sung, In the School's history, Veritas, Mr. Moodey and Dr. Speirs categorized Mr. Phillips' contribution to the School over four decades in the following words: No other member of the teaching staff has contributed so long a term of faithful service to the School. Mr. Phillips gradually passed from the young and athletic man who for so long successfully directed the games to the sage and shrewd counsellor who proved so valued an advisor to the parents who consulted him. Above all, his quiet influence and integrity in times when standards were gradually being relaxed did much to maintain the civilized life of the School. ln every sense, Mr. Phillips is truly a man of all seasons. We cannot speak about the high traditions of Selwyn House without recognizing that he has played an essential and significant role in creating that tradition. There can be no candidate more deserving ofthe Speirs Medal than Gordon Phillips. Founder's Day Address November 28th, 1984

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In Appreciation of His Many and Varied Contributions, This Yearbook Is Dedicated to Mr. Warren Reid Mr. Reid came to us in 1972, bringing with him a wealth of varied experience. His service as an Air Force navigator during WW ll and as a purser on passenger ships thereafter supplied him with many of the anecdotes and points of expertise that have enlivened his classes at Selwyn House. During his career as a teacher, Mr. Reid taught high-school English for the Protestant board and rose to the position of principal of Laval West High School. Just prior to coming to Selwyn House, he served as headmaster of St. Helen's School for Girls. When that school closed, Mr. Troubetskoy invited him to join the staff at Selwyn House, partly in order to profit from his administrative advice. The substance of that advice was that a headmaster's job is to provide a happy working environment for teachers and students. Indeed, the hallmark of his tenure here has been his warm, personal relationships with students. They will all remember his stories and his kidding. He has always claimed, for example, that he grades papers by allowing his dog to sniff them. He has given countless hours by himself and with others to producing soundtracks and the like for plays and formal occasions. He has duplicated scores of audio- and videotapes for the school and helped significantly to maintain and enlarge our collection of audio-visual equipment, a contribution that is not sufficiently recognized by the School. ln this con- nection, he has also taught many boys to operate electronic equipment and has proven a very valuable resource to the science department. He looks forward in his retirement to finishing a book on Glenn Miller on whose work he is a widely renowned expert and collector. We picture him happily and seriously playing with his basement full of electronic toys, and we look forward to his continuing contributions as a consultant and lab set- up man. It is fitting therefore at this time to salute him by dedicating to him this year's Yearbook and to recognize his generous contribution to it during the years of his serving as staff advisor. To you, Mr. Reid our best regards and our best wishes.

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HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE As I write in the middle of my first week at Selwyn House this will reflect more my hopes for the school than any analysis of the year so far. I have been warmly welcomed and have been to feel at home very quickly. Students and Staff have gone out of their way to greet me. This courtesy done, however, they rapidly return with purpose to the more important tasks of their exceedingly full day. Selwyn House is an important school in an important place in Canada. One of its aims is to educate thoroughly and broadly while keeping foremost the purpose of sound academic training. Already I have begun to see how hard the community works at succeeding in achieving that goal. My hope for this School is to help it retain the values and traditions for which it has long stood while seeing it grow in response to its need to remain responsible and responsive to its constituencies. If in growing a school can engender an atmosphere where students and Staff can work effectively to establish such a responsible atmosphere, the School can go on to success after success. The students will have fulfilled their responsibilities by doing their best honestly in a spirit of con- sideration and co-operation. The Staff, both teaching and administrative, will have fulfilled their responsibilities by winning the respect of the School community through their ability and keenness. It is for the School's achieving its aims that others will seek it out. Then the School can provide the leadership required of those who succeed. The School must be prepared for the scrutiny of those outside the School. If the outsiders perceive the excellence within, they will be willing to support the perpetuation of the responsible role Selwyn House should play in the society it serves. William Mitchell