Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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Our school motto, Spem successus alit , was the Ross family motto, and it was Mr. Ross ' wish that it should be the motto of the school he founded. He left to the Trustees several items for the school ' s use among which were a telescope, a microscope, maps and globes. He also left two oil paintings, one of his sister and one of Mrs. Ross. These paintings today hang just outside Dr. Foster ' s office. It looked as though the Institute would not be founded for a long while, but in 1883 Rev. Dr. James Barclay, who had just come to Montreal, was able to interest Sir Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona) in the Institute and he donated some money. It was now possible to begin a school. Mr. Ross had planned that the Institute be built on the Trafalgar property, which was on the south-eastern slope of what is now called Westmount Mountain and just opposite his home at 4005 Cote des Neiges Road. This property was not within the city limits of Montreal and Lord Strathcona had stated with his donation that the Institute must be within the city limits. The piece of land on Simpson Street where the school now stands was therefore bought in 1887. In the fall of 1887 the Institute opened for girls over fourteen years of age. It was in 1890 that classes were started for younger girls. Miss Woolan was the Acting Principal until Miss Grace Fairley M,A. of Edinburgh arrived in January 1888 to take over her duties as Principal. Until 1890 everything took place in the original house, but in that year a new east wing was added. It was after this addition that classes were started for girls under fourteen as well. In 1915 a new part was added to the Institute. This addition contains the Lab., art room, locker rooms and several classrooms. Miss Fairley retired in 1913, after being Principal for twenty-six years. She would not accept anything for herself, so a scholarship was established which was called The Trafalgar Scholarship. After Miss Fairley ' s death in 1932, the scholarship was called The Grace Fairley Trafalgar Scholarship. Miss Hardy became Principal in 1913, but in 1915 returned home to England. Miss Windsor remained for two years, and then in 1917 Miss J. L. Gumming was appointed Principal. Miss Gumming was Principal until 1940 when our present Principal, Dr. Foster, came to take over the responsibilities of the school. We shall be sorry to see the newest part of the school demolished when the city of Montreal puts McGregor Street through, but plans are now being made so that there will be accommodation when this takes place. [13]

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MISS CAM E ARE SAD to know that Miss Cam is retiring from Trafalgar, » » after twenty-three years as teacher of Mathematics and Physics. She has been a loyal and faithful worker, serving the school with great devotion. Her scholarship, and her wide and cultured back- ground have been an inspiration to her pupils. Apart from her teaching. Miss Cam has always shown great interest in all school activities. Many of us remember her at Hallowe ' en parties in her ingenious masquerades: The Penguin , The Wise Old Owl , Stop, Look, Listen and others. She has been an enthusiastic Head of Cumming House, and has never spared herself in her efforts to develop in the girls a loyal spirit and a high standard of work and conduct. As co-worker in the Department of Mathematics, I shall, in Miss Cam ' s departure, experience a real personal loss. During the twenty-three years, we have worked together happily and in the fullest co-operation. We hope that she has many, many happy years ahead of her to enjoy her home and garden in the beautiful English country-side. With affection and every good wish Trafalgar bids her Farewell. G.I.L. [15]