Stratford Central Secondary School - Collegian Yearbook (Stratford, Ontario Canada)

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COLLEGIAN, 1937. STRATFORD, ONT. he Sizzaieniy' parliament R. N. Bissonnette M. N. O'Leary Ken. Ingham John Gerby THE STUDENT PARLIAMENT PROCLAMATION! The First Session of the Student Parlia- ment will be held Tuesday, the twenty-second day of December, nineteen hundred and thirty- six at nine o'clock in the morning. What excitement! What enthusiasm! Once again the Parliament was the main topic of conversation among the students. But few stopped to ask themselves the question, Who was actually responsible for the establishing of the Student Parliament ? To answer this question, we would have to go back to a day in March, 1936, when Ken Ingham first suggested to three or four senior students the idea of beginning a Student Par- liament. All agreed that it was an excellent idea and thought that something should be done to promote it but not one of them was willing to help him overcome the numerous difficulties which presented themselves. However, realizing the great benefits that would be derived from such an organization, he then approached two teachers with his idea. In them he found a greater enthusiasm and a readiness and willingness to co-operate. After numerous interviews with these two Page Forty-sire teachers during which many of the problems were discussed, an outline of the organiza- tion was finally completed. Throughout the summer, Ingham continued to work on his idea, and when school re- opened, he had a more definite outline pre- pared. Early in September, he presented to Mr. Sprung this outline which immediately met with the latter's approval. With this end in view, several of the senior students interested themselves in the parlia- ment and attended subsequent meetings at which the plans of organization were com- pleted. A notice was then placed on the main bulletin board which read as follows,- -A STUDENT PARLIAMENT- An -educational project. To have the students participate in the sum- moning and carrying out of a parliament, in order to learn how parliamentary government is organized and conducted. As an appreciation of and training for democracy. To provide experience and practice in public speaking. To provide an opportunity for the students to discuss some of the vital and interesting problems in the world about them. To help students to understand school and education better through discussion of its problems and difficulties. To foster and promote to the fullest extent -school spirit-not only in name but in act. To establish constant friendly understand- ing between the student body and those into whose hands the management of the school is given. -In a word-to develop School Citizenship! ORGANIZATION,- There will be two parties, the Blue Circle party, led by Kenneth Ingham and the Black Square party, led by John Gerby. Each form of the Middle and Upper Schools will nominate candidates to both parties and will elect members as follows: five members from each third form including Commercial, six members from each fourth form and seven members from each fifth form including Special Commercial. The party which returns the majority of

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COLLEGIAN, 1937. STRA TFORD, ONT. Sizzdenff' Council Fern Nickel Norman Root Marion Pawson John Gerby Cabsentl THE JUNIOR AT HOME For the second year in succession the two At Homes, Junior and Senior have been held separately. This idea has proven to be suc- cessful and will probably be carried out for other years. All the teachers have co-operated splendid- ly in making it the students' big night. Miss Dale and Miss Jolly spent much time teaching the girls small dances which were performed in the Assembly Hall and the boys' gymnas- ium. Credit should also go to Mr. Sinclair. who teaches the boys' Physical Training, for their excellent performance. In the Assembly Hall, which was decor- ated in red and green, the parents of the stud- ents were welcomed by a reception commit- tee consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Sprung, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, Miss McQueen, Miss M. C. Ross, J. Gerby, Marion Pawson, and C. Ohler. The students danced in the Assembly Hall to the music of Otto Henderson's orchestra while the parents and teachers watched the scene. In the lower hall, rooms were open for games. Many competed and as a reward for the winners, boxes of chocolates were given away. Pictures were to have been shown in the girls' gymnasium by Mr. Adamson, but owing to a mishap they did not arrive in time. Altogether the At Home was a great suc- cess and we are sure all the pupils had a very good time and will look forward for the next similar event. THE SENIOR AT HOME Spring is here! We find ourselves waiting eagerly for the final days of school to pass. However, there is one thing which took place during this year, that will live keenly in our minds for some time-the Senior At Home. Many students crab and nag about only hav- ing one dance, but, when we have a dance we really have a nice one. Neither time nor effort is spared. For weeks ahead, plans were made, decor- ations were put up and everything was pre- pared for the Big Night. Miss Dale and Miss Jolly were busy coaching willing work- ers in their dance routinesg Miss Cameron, with her committee planned a delicious lunch. Finally the night arrived. Every Belle must look her best and many Beaux sport- ed tuxedos or tails for the first time. Proud parents joined the happy throng in the beau- tifully decorated assembly hall, where Otto I-Ienderson's orchestra had already started to play. At intermission, Margaret Pletch and Ern- est Smith were presented with their scholar- ships. Ruth Colclough received the Muriel Bothwell award for proficiency in Domestic Science. During the evening Duff Johnston and Ed- ward Greenwood, two of our amateur photog- raphers, took many pictures which turned out very well. In years to come, we will all look at these pictures with a sigh as we think of the good time we had at our Annual At Home. Page Forty-five

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COLLEGIAN, 1937. members will form the government, the other party will form the opposition. The leader of the party in power will choose a cabinet from the members of the House. The Speaker of the House will be appoint- ed by the government. -If nothing else, be a school citizen!- All are aware of the course of events from this point. At a general assembly, the party leaders outlined their platforms for election. The nominations were held in the forms and a lively and interesting campaign followed. The highlight of the campaign was, un- doubtedly, the parade to the flats, held by both parties on the occasion of a junior rugby game. Each party gathered its members to- gether and marched down to the flats, singing their respective party songs and preceded by banners and a band. , On Wednesday, the twenty-eighth of Oc- tober, the elections were held in every form. Twenty-nine members were elected by each party. A tie! A seeming impossibility! Yet these were the results. After recounting the ballots, it was discovered that the Black Square party had the majority of votes and it was declared the government. The day for the first session of the Student Parliament came. The students of the Upper and Middle schools assembled in the gymnas- ium. The members of parliament then filed in and took their places, the government on the right of the Speaker's chair, the oppos- ition on the left. The session was officially opened by the Lieutenant-Governor, Edward Greenwood. The Lieutenant-Governor en- tered the House preceded by the Sergeant-at- arms, Keith Petterson and attended by a Guard of Honour consisting of Jack Wett- laufer and William Nisbit. May we pause here to pay the sincere compliments of all to Ed. Greenwood for the splendid way in which he fulfilled the duties of his office? Upon advis- ing the immediate choice of a Speaker, the STRATFORD, ONT. Lieut.-Governor retired. Robert Coghill was duly nominated and unanimously elected to the Speaker's chair. After the robing of the Speaker, the Lieut.-Governor re-entered the House, read the Speech from the Throne, and one more retired. The replies to the Speech from the Throne were made by Mary Harri- son, Murray Kilpatrick, James McCardle and Ivan Coleman for the government, and by Mabel Zurbrigg, William Buchner, Joseph Kil- loran and James Neilson for the opposition. After the election of James McCardle to the office of Deputy Speaker, the first session of the Student Parliament adjourned until a suitable future date. The Premier and the Leader of the Oppos- ition take this opportunity to thank whole- heartedly all those who assisted in making the Parliament a success. They appreciate sin- cerely the great enthusiasm displayed by the students not only during the campaign, but throughout the whole program. In the first session the parliament was officially opened. It is to be hoped that in a second session a Bill will be passed and the parliament will be officially prorogued. Perhaps this program does not quite fulfil the expectations of some of the students. However, as much as possible was done in the limited time and under the circumstances. Let us remember this one thing, students- the success or failure of the Parliament rests with us! Only a beginning has been made. The great test is yet to come! With the whole- hearted co-operation of every student, Parlia- ments can not fail to be a great success. In a short time, the Parliament will undoubtedly become a part of the school life-a part in which every student may share and a part which will prove to be not only a great asset to the school but more important, to the students themselves! BE A GOOD SCHOOL CITIZEN! By J. Gerby, 5A. The latest batch of prisoners arrived at the local jail, and one of the wardens was taking particulars. Come on, said the warden to one of the prisoners, sign your name here at the bottom. Sorry, replied the prisoner, I can't Write. The warden thought for a moment, but could see no way out. All right, he said at last, but what are you in for ? Forgery. But how could you be convicted of forgery when you can't even Write? The prisoner shook his head. Well, he answered, I think I must have had a rotten lawyer. Page Forty-seven