Toronto Teachers College - Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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Il IX Ei L I Tonorrro 'H- -lihl l, scl-i l-YEA -B9-0..lg 1 STRATFCDRD AS OUR GUESTS lllf first night of the Stratford visit took the form of a very enter- taining concert followed by an exceptionally enjoyable dance. The concert began at about Nl? p.m. .Xttendance in general was very gtnitl. Stratford were out in full force. with a fair number from our own school. Xmong those present were the genial soft-spoken Dr. Mar- tin, principal of our guests' home school, and some of his staff. Principal and Mrs. Whyte, and many of the staff were present. tint- of the outstanding features of the programme was the Op- eretta. very capably presented by the girls of Kindergarten-Primary. who won the cup for the best Fall literary program. Mary Robb was on hand as usual lo entertain us with her unique French horn. Then the .Xladridgal Singers put in their appearance and excelled themselves in two very delightful numbers. To contlude the concert. each of the two principal gentlemen of the evening favoured ns with a short address. Mr. Whyte spoke first and remarlaticl on how times had changed. Why! twenty-five years ago, young men and ladies were not even allowed to associate with each other and were gently but firmly forced to retire at the hour of 9.00 p.m. But to-day, in the year 1037, not only did the opposite sexes associate freely, but stayed to dance until the hour of 12 o'clock. Dr. Martin expressed very eloquently, on behalf of the Stratford Normal School, their great joy at being our guests and very vividly pictured for us in a few words the outstanding place in education that the Toronto Nor- mal School holds. Then the dance? Immediately after the concert, everyone adjourn- ed to our gymnasium ballroom. And ballroom it was indeed! Our interior decorators deserve special mention for this piece of work. The ball room was admirably decorated with streamers of purple, yellow and black, a clever harmonizing of the colours of both schools. The dance itself was a tremendous success. liveryone was in high spirits. Stratford seemed to feel at home. The orchestra played splendidly. Our staff joined in the gaiety of the evening with their usual whole-hearted enthusiasm. Prizes were given for special numbers and during the inter- mission refreshments were served. Page Thirty But all good things must come to an end. And so, shortly after 12 o'clock the orchestra played God Save The King , and with Satur- days athletic struggle in view we departed in the best of spirits. E. Smith. STRATFORD AT l-ICDME NE of the delightful experiences of the Normal School year has resulted from making new acquaintances. Opportunities for this were given not only among our own students but also among the students of Hamilton and Stratford at the occasion of Inter-Normal meets. It was my privilege to have another such occasion. This oppor- tunity was granted at the time of the Stratford At Home . Gladys Holley, representing the women of our school, journeyed with me. From the beginning the events proved to be interesting. 'Jn our arrival at the school we were courteously received by Dr. Martin, the principal, Mr. james Coulton, president of the Literary Society, and the Dean of Women. The programme consisted of several delightful musical numbers by members of the Glee Club and graduates. A two-act play entitled Becky Sharpe was cleverly presented by the Dramatic Club. During the programme, time was given for the introduction of delegates from other Normal Schools. The delegates then presented greetings from their Alma Haters. After a promenade around the Assembly Hall, we were directed towards the Household Science room where dainty refreshments were served. This gave us an added opportunity to meet interesting people and exchange ideas. The evening passed quickly and happily away. One of the outstanding pleasures of our visit was realized in re- ceiving impressions of another school. Stratford School is a more re- cently constructed building than ours which is so full of history and tradition. But even such a happy trip ends and we returned with mingled sentiments of gratitude and appreciation. T. Edwards.

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SOCIAL A STAFF TEAS EMEMBER, oh thou mighty brain, the most amazing notice that reached your nearby ears one sunny morning long ago. Think back. Cahst thou not hear? The staff will have the pleasure of enter- taining in the drill-hall, to-morrow afternoon, all those whose numbers are from 0-I. Was this not a y most amazing notice? Do you re- member the awe with which we glanced at one another? Do you remember the glad surprise when it was discovered that we were among the elite of the moment? Those same sensations flood our consciousness even now. We knew no one: we did not know the staffg we did not know what to do. But with what brave fronts we marched down the corridor to the drill-hall steps. Courage, where wast thou? First we pinned our names to us. How kind and friendly the staff were to us those next few minutes. Were they ever after to be thus, we mused. Why, Normal is going to be fun after all, we heard our- selves thinking. And so indeed it has been. That moment, when we shook hands with one another, was the beginning of many, many good times. We do sincerely thank the staff for those most pleasant afternoons with them. F, Aitken. Pls Pls Pk if If the dance held in Dec., under the Auspices of the Mens Ath- letic Society, was noteworthy for no other reason, it had at least the distinction of being, perhaps, the only dance in some years at which the men figured more prominently than the women. This is no mean dis- tinction in an institution where the fair sex outnumbers the other by at least four to one. The ladies, who rightly claimed the scarcity of partners at the majority of social functions in the school, certainly missed a grand opportunity this time. The dance, held in the Social C014 neil Front Rmu-M. Monks, D. Whyte, E. Smith, Miss Hay, A. Barron. Bark Rau'--H. Dunbar, M. Willis, J. McCullough. I CTIVITIES gymnasium, was not noted as being a financial success, although every- one present gave assurance of an evening well spent. The decorating committee spared no efforts to give the hall an air of Christmas spirit. with good old St. Nicholas present as usual with his Christmas tree. Members of the staff welcomed the guests, and soon all were partici- pating in this joyous festival. The refreshment committee did not forget to carry out the theme of the decorations. Christmas cake and coffee were served in the Kindergarten-Primary room. Although not one of the out- standing social affairs of the year. the Christmas dance remains as one of the pleasant informal evenings spent in the Normal School. Sfmrlifzg. Friday evening. February nine- teenth. was a gala evening at T.N.S. The reason. you askfsthe Womens Athletic Dance. The drill hall was attractively decorated with red a nd white streamers and hearts. in keeping with the Valentine holiday. Bridge tables were provided for those not wishing to dance. Our genial patrons and patronesses for the evening were Mr. and Mrs. Whyte, Miss Hay, Miss Merchant, Mr. and Mrs. Keefe. Miss St. john, and the president of the organization, Miss Meikle. The most charming fashions in semi-formal gowns were displayed by the fair sex, as they danced away the evening to the music of Arthur Vincent's Orchestra. What the men were wearing, at one time during the evening, remains much of a mystery. Evidently some thought the dance was to be a masquerade, for sweaters and sweat-shirts appeared. In passing, we might add, the idea was not a remarkable success. but thoroughly enjoyable. Page Twelzty-zzizze

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CDUR VISITORS T has been our good fortune and pleasure during this momentous year at Normal School, to play host to a group of men and women outstanding in their particular fields of activity. From the great and busy world beyond the secluded gray walls of our dear abode, these people came, bringing interesting and inspiring messages to their eager, young listeners. Variety and interest marked each new arrival. Each visitor, in turn, brought a new personality, a different outlook, and a wealth of worthwhile information. We, their disciples, new to the world and its ways, ever anxious to learn and thereby become great, eagerly drank in every word and gratefully snatched at each crumb of know- ledge as it fell from the lips of the wise and the learned. The first newcomer to brave the appraising glances of the 1936-37 class was, as would be expected. of the female species: a sweet-faced energetic lady, Dr. Helen MacMurchy by name, prominent woman doctor of Ontario. Dr. MacMurchy won the interest of the students at the outset by her kindly attitude and pleasant personality, and maintained it throughout the course of her four lectures. The health of the school-child was discussed, with particular reference to common diseases and means of prevention. This series of lectures was of great practical value, and we are indebted to Dr. MacMurchy for a useful and instructive body of information. Few of us will forget the occasion of the visit of Miss Marjorie Gullan. A vivid and interesting personality, a love and enthusiasm for her life's work, and a voice brimming with feeling and resonance made Miss Gullan's address something of a masterpiece of oratory, holding the audience spellbound from first to last. Miss Gullan urged that greater emphasis be placed on speech-training in the schools, and advo- cated a drive to promote speech consciousness. A fascinating account of the work being done in her Speech-training School in London was topped off by renditions of favourite poetical and prose selections in the inimitable Gullan manner. Miss Gullan will also be remembered for her profound remark that nothing is bad, nothing is good, but things are more desirable . The significance of a closer relationship between the home and the school was discussed by a charming mother, Mrs. Maltby, Honorary Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Clubs. Our own Canadian poet, Mr. Wilson Macdonald, was another in- teresting visitor. Mr. Macdonalds address served to shatter an illusion which the present writer tand no doubt, divers othersj had hitherto entertained regarding poets i.e. poets should be read, not heard . The highlight of Mr. Macdonalds visit was the recitation of some of his most familiar poems. It did not require a lover of poetry to be stirred by the sheer melody of the Gregorian Chant in I Love Old Things . and to be thrilled by the breathlessly swift descent of the Song of the Skiw. In her talk to the students, Miss Hamilton. a charming repre- sentative of the Junior Red Cross Society. gave an insight into the valuable work of that organization. Teachers-in-training are urged to take advantage of the facilities of the Red Cross Society when the little red school house, so often dreamed of, becomes a grim reality. 'tThou shalt devour the fish of the sea . This was the text of a message carried from the Dominion Department of Fisheries to the Normal School students by their charming young representative. The students were encouraged to develop a taste for marine products. and thereby provide inspiring examples for their pupils. It was interesting to learn, that, though approximately sixty varieties of fish are avail- able, Canadian citizens refuse to become a nation of fish-eaters. Dr. Amoss, Director of Special Education. and a distinguished educationalist. gave a fine account of the work being done for those unfortunate children who are physically or mentally handicapped. The students were fortunate this year, in obtaining a glimpse into the activities in the auxiliary classes and special schools in Toronto. and therefore. Dr. Amoss' remarks were quite timely. It was most gratify- ing to learn that no longer need any handicapped child be deprived of his birthright, an education. Teachers-in-training are advised to com- municate with Dr. Amoss at Queens Park, should any of the afore- mentioned cases come under their notice during their teaching career. Wholehearted support of teachers-in-training to the Women Teach- ers' Federation was urged by their representative. Miss Knechtel. Miss Knechtel. herself a former student at Normal, and one of whom the school might be justly proud, made a stirring appeal to the students to unite into one great federation of teachers. The school was honoured by the visit. at our morning exercises, of Dr. Karr, Director of Professional Training for Ontario. Dr. Karrs message was one of particular interest to the students. In discussing the aims of the teacher, Dr. Karr emphasized the importance of the inculcation of proper attitudes in the school-child. To this group of speakers, we can only extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation. May we express an earnest hope that their words have not been in vain, and that the seeds they have scattered among us may bear fruit. JI. Pctws. Page Tffiti'-0116