Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 18 text:

) The Old Girls have also brought new honours to Traf . Christine Williams won the University Scholarship, an examination open to those under twenty who are taking either Junior or Senior Matriculation anywhere in the Dominion. The candidates are allowed to write on their three best subjects and the winner is always someone of out- standing merit. Alma Howard last year received her Ph.D. and is continuing her scientific work at McGill. The school was delighted at Miss Bryan ' s return after Christmas. She spent six months in Europe and came back with a wonderful tan and some very interesting experiences. As the Magazine goes to press, the School has just been presented with a beautiful Union Jack by the Old Girls ' Association. We are grateful for this gift, which comes at a most appropriate time. This has been a very eventful year in the world ' s history and we are thankful to be able to welcome their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada, far from Europe ' s turmoil. PREFECTS Head Prefect: Marilyn Mechin Jane Elliot Norma Osler Heather Campbell Alma Macfarlane Elspeth Smart Betty Grimley Marie Oliver Mary Lindsay Betty Ward Allana Reid Norma Burgess THE GRIER CUP LAST June the Grier Cup, awarded to the most public-spirited of the Senior Girls, who at the same time has maintained a high standard of conduct and shown devotion to her work, was won by Anne Dodd. THE FORSYTH CUP THE Forsyth Cup, awarded to the Senior Girl who has made the most of her oppor- tunities, showing herself friendly and helpful to all, was won by Wilma Howard. INTER-HOUSE TROPHY The Inter-House Shield, presented by Mrs. Wynne Robinson, was awarded last June to Ross House. [16]

Page 17 text:

TRAFALGAR ECHOES is very pleased this year to have Miss Cumming ' s photograph for its frontispiece. We had great difficulty in persuading Miss Gumming to have her picture taken and the delight of the committee cannot be imagined when it learned that she had finally given her consent. One of the magazine ' s innovations is the German section, which we hope will be a success, for German has always been a favourite subject at Traf and was taught even during the years 1914 to 1918. We were very anxious to have a section on French Canada but the small number of contributions was disappointing especially when there are so many appropriate subjects in the Province of Quebec. The school year has been a difficult one owing to the snow and our worst enemy the flu but we have had several lectures which helped to keep our spirits up. Miss Eve Maxwell-Lyte sang and interpreted Scotch, English, Irish and Canadian folk songs. Mr. Crawley spoke on Palestine and Miss Hadow gave us a very interesting talk about the city of Oxford. We congratulate Miss Turner on producing basketball teams which were once more able to retain both first and second Team Cups. The Demonstration also was a credit to Miss Turner ' s hard work for it was unusual, and different from any we have had in previous years. The Penguin Ski-Club held its annual meet at Saint Sauveur in February and our team returned with the beautiful shield presented by Col. Molson. The School has decided to have a new ski badge to be worn by the first team. The Houses have been very successful this year and there seems to be a great deal more House spirit, and House enthusiasm, as we have seen in the Spelling Bees, and the Musical Competition. [15]

Page 19 text:

UNDER GREEK SKIES TO see Greece had been a dream of mine since childhood. I remember looking at the map and someone called my attention to the fact that it was like a pendant, a jewelled pendant flashing brightly towards the East, The phrase caught my fancy and everything I have heard or seen of Greece since then has made me feel this was one of the best descriptions ever given. Geographically of course it is obvious. Her many islands, clustering in the Aegean Sea, gleam in the radiant Greek air like precious stones set in wine dark waters. But the phrase has a deeper significance. When we think of the heritage bequeathed by ancient Greece to Europe, not only in learning but also in art, when we realize that, while she has championed Europe against Asiatic aggression, she has also been the gate through which Eastern thought has come to us, then we see that not only geographically, but also in a spiritual sense, Greece has been the jewel of Europe, flashing brightly towards the East. Several things surprised me about the country. I had thought it was a small place. I was amazed to find how much it has developed since its independence was declared in 1831. The population has more than trebled, and Greece is now the dominant power in the Eastern Mediterranean. Crete belongs to her and she has also got the Ionian Islands on the west coast, Macedonia and Thrace to the North, and all the islands in the Aegean Sea. In addition she received after the Great War, a million and a half refugees from Asia Minor where they were being persecuted by the Turks. She has not only fed and clothed them but has given them work and has quite absorbed them in her population. Some of these people are very good at carpet-weaving and making pottery and they are becoming useful citizens. Another thing that surprised me was to find that Greece was under a dictatorship. Although she still has a King, yet Metaxas, the Dictator about two years ago suspended Parliament, dealt sharply with all labour questions, organized a Youth Movement and marshalled the whole country in a very summary way, on the side of law an d order. Everybody now seems occupied and busy and the faces of shepherds, fishermen and muleteers all light up at the mention of Metaxas ' name. However many people do not like it at all, for they feel he has suppressed liberty, the most precious of all possessions. [17]