University of Ottawa - Annuaire Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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32 O..TTA,.W,A NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR BOOK FOR 1916-1917 Y . r- . J, K 1 iTH'E TRIBULATIONSV OF A NORMAL STUDENT. By Margaret E. McLachlin. Who will forget that first entrance into the Ottawa Normal School on the rainy September morning? Who will forget the glaring sign, This way to the Assembly Hall? Who will forget the endless stairs to be conquered before reaching that hall, the endless rows and rows of unfamiliar faces which greeted you as you en- tered? K Yes, you entered and became for the first time one of this body of students. As you gained courage to look about you, you discovered a familiar face. Oh, joy! You looked eagerly for another and yet another, until you came to the conclusion that the world was not so dreary after all. But still more interesting things fol- lowed. You were introduced to the masters, to the work of the school, and last of all to the north and south stairs. lt was then that the trouble began. You con- fused the masters, the class-rooms and the stairs. To make matters worse you lost your class. There you stood, surprised to find your- self in such a place, for you are sure you start- ed for the gallery room, but here you stood in the secretary's office. Gradually, however, your brain became clear and at the end of two months you were able to find your way about the school. You thought your troubles were over. Alas! You were mistaken. Just when you were be- ginning to feel comfortable you were asked to give an address before the whole body of stu- dents. You have not forgotten that day. You did not sleep the night before. You ate no breakfast that morning and you reached school breathless with excitement. When your name ,..-.. ,, .5-,q-gm'-t - - - -- was called, you commenced the long journey to the platform. What a noise your shoes were making! Would you ever reach that last step? How you trembled, during those two minutes! The last pupil, in the last row saw the paper shake, although you did your best to keep it still. Surely the worst was over. No, not yet. Was it only a week later that you found your first lesson assignment upon the library table? Teach the 'Convection of Heat. ' Wh-what was that? lnstantly you rushed to one of the masters to demand an explanation. Then you spent a :pleasant week-end getting the lesson plan ready for its pigeon hole. That first lesson! Will you ever forget it? You stood upon a certain board, before a cer- tain row of desks, with your feet at a certain angle and you talked. You were never so elo- quent before. Your words fairly tumbled out from preparation to conclusion. When you reached the conclusion, suddenly you remem- bered that this particular school-room contained a blackboard. Hurrying to it you wrote some- thing. lt is well that you said something, for upon reaching the back of the room, even you could not read that work. But who could write, with shaky hand, the bold plain letters of a school teacher? After this, life became more agreeable. You enjoyed the work, the teaching and the inter- course with students and masters. You were benefited by the Literary Society, and, now you you are leaving, glad that you came, sorry to leave, but eager to begin work as a Normal- Trained Teacher. ,...,..:.7.-p,7--.-----fp -f-.7-.7 ---A- - -f-,-f.-- ap -x E Q4 H , N .-3 rc 1 , 'iff' H fix ,.' T VIEW OF OTTAWA FROM SOUTH.

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OTTAWA NORMAL SCHOOL As if it, too, mourned for the old regime, a tremor passed over the smoke, and the scene faded away. But, something else was slowly emerging from its white depths. A picture of groups of students walking aimlessly about now met the watcher's gaze. It was, apparently, a period of recreation, but they did seem to be en- joying themselves. On every face there was a restless, hunted look. When they spoke, it was only in whispers and with fearful glances around them. Like Damocles of old, they seemed to be in constant dread of some frightful calamity befalling them. All at once they drew timidly back. A majestic figure walked past them and paused before a hitherto invisible door in the wall. This he unlocked, removed objects that looked like phonograph records, and then went unconcernedly away. Ah! no wonder those poor students had been discreet and care- ful. They might well refrain from saying trait- orous things about the old school. It would scarcely be good policy to make adverse state- ments regarding critic teachers in this super- modern building. For the old Normal fairly swarmed with dictographs which faithfully and relentlessly recorded every syllable that passed within its walls. Helen Easten began to wonder how much strain the average constitution could endure. It was, therefore, with a thankful sigh that she YE AR BOOK FOR 1916-1917 31 welcomed the next scene. Undoubtedly an ex- amination was in progress. It was a pleasant sight-when one was only a spectator. Some were writing feverishly, with occasional hurried glances at the clock. Others were seeking ins- piration from a minute inspection of the ceiling. Perhaps they were puzzling out the difference between state and specify or wondering just what that word discuss meant. Suddenly, a large open book was held up be- fore the girl's astonished eyes, and from its vaguely familiar look she thought it must be a Syllabus. Larger and larger it loomed until the words printed there could be read with ease: The Department of Education directs that from henceforth tests shall be held daily, instead of once a week, as formerly. A low moan ran through the room. The smoke quivered, dwindled, and faded away. Mem-sahib evidently forgot that absolute si- lence was required of her. But the icy tones were completely lost upon Helen Easten. The teacher in her was, forthe time being, smothered, and all the student's ab- horrence of examinations rose again with over- whelming strength and force. ' Daily tests! Tests every day of the week! Oh, how dreadful! And the voice trailed off into another heart-rending moan. -X . MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN CARTIER SQUARE.

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