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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1977-06-15, Page 12PAGE TWELVE THE LUCKNOW SENTINEL, LUCKNOW, ONTARIO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1977 Stuart Collyer Retires This Year, Principal Of Lucknow Public School Since 1951 40.. 41110. 40, .0. Alp, dior .111. 4/ ar. dir -411P .irr. dor. dilr 4110. ar 4111,' 4111' 400' 410". 41IP' 4111,' 411P .011, It From A Former. Student . . STUART E. COLLYER MR. COLLYER: FROM A FORMER STUDENT'S POINT OF VIEW Young people can be said to be a community's, most valuable natural resource, as they are the products of its past, the spark of its present, and.the hope for its future. In an community, then, the people who influence its young will indirectly influence its future. We in Lucknow Wave undoubtedly been fortunate to have had Stuart Collyer as principal of our public school system for many years. He has devoted his life to the benefit of youth, and I am proud to salute him as he retires. When Mr. Collyer chose teach- ing as his life's profession, he made a wise decision. The pride he must feel in knowing he has been an influencing factor in many scholars' successes must make his memories of a fine' career happy. ones. Of course, not all of his students have been "whiz kids", but his encouragPment and guid- ance have never gone amiss. When I think of Mr. Collyer, I always remember his special "knack" for story telling. In his Science class,' we would never tire of his tales about war, thp air force,- one-rooin schools, and many Other experiences which were foreign to It's five o'clock in the morning! Awakened by an icy blast of wind whistling around the bedroom. window, Mr. Stuart E. Collyer, principal of Lucknow Central P.S., peers into the snow-laden darkness and wonders, "Will the buses run today?" Pacing the floor from phone to window and back, wearing a track in the -rug, he faces the responsibility of sending driv- ers and children out in,, dangerous driving conditions, or cancelling buses, and listening to irate comments because he did! or did not! Listening to the radio - "storm warnings continued" - he has to trust his own judgement to make. the right decision. Thus begins one of the daily winter worries that makes the office of principal less than envious! But let's take an average, normal, working day, if there is such a thing in the history of teaching, and see how Mr. Collyer spends his 'day. Our principal is a kind, understanding person, ready to listen with patience to children's squabbles, teacher's problems, and endless telephone calls, besid- es teaching the senior grades Science. Often he is seen bandaging the knee of an injured child, or "laying down the law" to some miscreant; popping into One who smiles 'though he's angry, One who laughs although he's sad, One who greets the little children, Taking time to understand. Truly has the essence of a great teacher. One who will devote his life. To the guidance of the young. One who's trusted with many, And finds love for everyone, Truly the essence of a great teacher. You Have listened so patiently our short and somewhat sheltered lifetimes. I can now see that this was a great gift; he could educate others by simply sharing his own experienees. Mr. Collyer always seemed genuinely interested in the pro- gress of each student,, on an tiemic--basis-, as well as extra-curricular activities. It was clearly evident that this man believed in eirery student fully developing his or her potential, whether it be in sports, music, drama, writing, public speaking, or any other persuit. Even after you have left public school, it is not uncommon to meet an interested Mr. Collyer around town, asking about your plans and progress. Even though my classmates and myself may not have realized it when we were younger, we were very fortunate to have such a capable man organizing otir im- pressionable public scho91 years.' It has taken the maturity of growing up, and the polishing of fond memories to bring this to our realization. I'm sure if we had the chance to relive our public school years, we' wouldn't change a thing! So, from a former student, on behalf of all former students, "Thank You, Stuart Collyer!" classrooms to observe children working, praising the effort of both pupil arid teacher in their displays; observing with pride the sports teams and band performing. He has a fund of humorous stories to amuse and entertain the listener; yet he is always ready with pertinent knowledge on any subject when asked for advice: There are many such incidents that make up an album of memories that we of the teaching staff will have, to remember, our principal. Yes, Stuart Collyer, our princip- al, is retiring after 26 years on the job. After so many years of dedication to a task he plainly, enjoyed,. a new life of relaxation lies ahead for he and his wife, Kay. As teachers who have worked under ,Mr. Collyer for many years, we , face this time with mixed feelings - happiness for the culmination of many years of service, hope that they will enjoy many years of fun and good health, and sadness, that a man who has been -not just a principal, but a friend, is now leaving us. We know you will be missed, Stuart, - but we wish you with all our hearts - Happy Retirement - enjoy your fishing! About our troubles and our joys You are thought to be a hero By many little girls and boys. Have you the essence of a great teacher? Your sense of humour and your care As you teach us right from wrong. Your tactful ways and cheerfulness Clearly shows that to you belong The very essence , of a great teacher. (You know we'll miss you when your gone!) Marilynne Maclntyre, Grade 8 Builders . . • A Builder builded a temple, He wrought it with grace and skill; Pillars and groins and arches All fashioned to work his will. Men said, as they saw its beauty, "It shall never know decay; Great is thy skill 0 Builder! Thy Fame shall, endure for aye." A-Teache With loving and infinite care, Planning each arch with patience, Laying each stone with prayer. None praised her unceasing ef- forts, None knew of her wondrous plan, For the temple the Teacher builded Was unseen by the eyes of man. Gone is the Builder's temple, Crumbled into the dust; Low lies each stately pillar,. Food for consuming rust. But the temple the Teacher builded Will last while the ages roll, For that beautiful unseen temple Was a child's immortal soul. The Great Science Lesson A tall slim man walks in the room. room. The class takes out their books; He tells them where to begin, And sees their searching looks! There seems to be a lot of noise,• "Do I hear talking?" he will say; The science peridd has begun, On this busy school day. A half an hour soon slips by, , The lesson is proceeding; But woops, yottng Jim is acting up, And interrupting with the reading. The science lesson is over now, The class is at the door; "Good-bye Mr. Collyer, - Good luck to you" Is their wish for ever more. Doug Clark, Grade 6 A RETIREMENT PARTY FOR ALL THREE TEACHERS WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2 - 4 p.m. AT THE SCHOOL THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND More than half a 'century ago, in Thurso, Quebec, a third son born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Collyer, was named Stuart Earl. As a very young boy, Stuart moved, with his family to Lucknow, where many years later he was to become the principal of the Lucknow Public. School, a position he held for twenty-six years. Stuart attended school in Luck- now and upon graduation from high school he 'was employed, for three years, as a salesman in "The Market Store" owned and operated by Mr. Wm. Hornell. In 1938 he attended Stratford Teachers' Col- lege and received his teaching certificate. He later furthered his education through courses at the Western University in London and the Waterloo Lutheran University, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. "Stuie" as he was respectfully referred to by many of his pupils, began his teaching career at S. S. # 9, Kincardine Township, near Bervie and then moved to West- wood, in Peterborough County, where he taught for two years. In 1942 he enlisted iri the R.C.A.F. receiving air crew train- ing in Western Canada at Brandon, Saskatoon and Dafoe, graduating from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba as a Commissioned Officer. For several months he was an air crew -instructor at the R.C.A.F. Station, Jarvis, Ontario,, before proceeding overseas where he served in Six Group Bomber Command at Skip- tonon - Swale in Yorkshire, .England. Following his discharge from the Air Force in 1946 he resumed his teaching at S. S. No. ,7 Kinloss Township, and later as principal" at Victoria Public School, Tecumseh, Ontario before accepting the posi- tion of principal of the Lucknow Public School in 1951. Mr. Collyer has been closely connected with many organizations in the community. He is.a member of the Masonic Lodge,' the Lions Club, the Canadian Legion and is secretary-treasurer of the Lucknow Fire Company. For several years he was chairman of the Lucknow Library Board. He served some fourteen years as Scout master of the Lucknow Troop and for a time was Assistant District Commission- er of the Saugeen District Boy Scout Association. For many years Stuart taught a class of teenage boys in the United Church Sunday School. Later he filled in as a supply teacher whenever needed. As well as teaching in the Sunday School he has served on the Official Board of the Church as a member of the session.. He was active in his chosen profession, too. He is a past .president of the Bruce County Teachers' Institute and the Elem- entary 'School Principals' Associa- tion. He is married to the , former Kathleen Thom of St. Helens. They have three sons - Ted, who with his wife Sandra and children Chris and Lisa, lives in Lucknow, Thom, who with his wife Sandra and children, Scott and Karen, lives in Orange- ville and Tim, who with his wife Dianne, lives in Campbellford. The closing of a successful career will long live in the memory of hundreds of children who were privileged to come under the tutelage of .a kind teacher, a judicious principal and a devoted friend. Success could be attributed to his devotion to teaching. The efficient manner with which he transmitted his enthusiasm to his pupils resulted in this success. The students responded to his firm yet kindly manner, to his intellecutal competence, his objective humour and his' wealth of experience. Through his teaching, he impart- ed not only his subject matter but a large part of himself, his philos- ophy of life. He demonstrated his ability to work effectively with people and secure their co-opera- tion. He assisted both teachers and pupils in evaluating themselves. Stuart.E. Collyer was an Educat- or. That chapter of his life now closed but like the immortal his footsteps will remain on the sands of time. All farewells have an element of sadness, of regret, and of nostalgia. Yet, too, there must be the excitement of the anticipa- tion of what the future holds. All his friends, his former pupils and the members of his staff join in wishing Stuart, health.and happi- ness in this new chapter "The best of life for which the first was made". We trust that his hobbies of fishing, hunting and horticulture will bring him happiness and contentment and• help to , fill the days of leisure that lie ahead. Happy Retirement • • • Essence Of A Great Teacher . . .