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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FERRUARY 4, 1976, PAGE 9 College reborn in second century by BRIAN WINTER Staff Writer The Ontario Ladies' Col- lege lias just completed the first year of its second century, and its Principal, Dr. Reginald Davis is hoping for -a rebirth of the school in this second century. Much of that rebirth has already taken place since Dr. Davis became principal of the college in September 1968. "This is no longer a little convent stuck on an island surrounded by water", says Dr. Davis. "It's an aggressive school preparing young women for both cultural backgrounds as well as academic promise". Since he became principal seven years ago, Dr. Davis has been responsible for identify- ing the Ontario Ladies College with the local community more than it has ever been before. "That's an important thing", he said in a recent interview. "We have gone from six or seven day school students in 1968 to 25 this year. That's a new area of growth for the school". Also, Dr. Davis has stepped up the college's advertising campaign to acquaint local citizens of what the school can do for their children. Since 1969, he had held an open house at the college in the spring, which has attrac- ted large crowds. This year the college has 133 students, the highest number since Dr. Davis be- came principal. lie attri- bute much of the college's success to the school's centennial celebrations. in 1974 which brought it considerable publicity. At that time the college was designated an historic site by the Province of Ontario, and plans have been underway since the centen- nial to restore portions of the 107-year-old building. Another contributing fac- tor to the rising enrolnent, says Dr. Davis, is an increased dissatisfaction among parents with the public school system. "There is a resurgence of interest in what the private schools are offering now", he said, "due to the tact that it's an alternative to education which has rnany salient fea- tures, such as small classes, better quality of instruction, and learning to live with other people which is an education in itself. There are also more opportunities for leadership training". Dr. Davis believes that private education could sorte day be established at the Ontario Ladies' College for Kindergarten to Grade Seven. "I could see this coming in the future here, but that means money and where do you get it?" he says.. One of Dr. Davis's major concerns is that there is no government support for private schools in Ontario. There is. help in the form of grants, in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, he says. Dr. Davis has been in the teaching profession for more than 30 years, havaig exper- ience at both the elementary and secondary levels. He has taught at Danforth Technical School in Toronto, bath high schools at Cobourg, and elementary and secondary schools in Ottawa. In Brantford he was an elementary school inspector, and in West Vancouver, he was head of the elernentary school curriculum department. before coming to OLC. in Whitby. As a curriculum specialist, Dr. Davis set out in 1968 to create a more varied and solid academic prograrn in the school, with an increased number of options for the students to study. He started innovative courses of instruction in English, French, and instru- mental music, and revived courses of art instruction from grade seven to 13. He also started a home economics program for grades seven to 12. Music and drama have been Dr. Davis' specialities since his earliest days of teaching. He is an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Piano, and received a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music at the University, of Rochester. Music has been the subject of each thesis he has done for various degrees he holds. For his Master of Music degree his thesis was on Canadian folk songs for American Schools. His thesis for a Master's Degree in English from the University of -Ottawa was on Shakes- peare's contribution to music, and his Doctoral thesis in English was entitled "Through English Literature to Music". Dr. Davis is in charge of the music program at the Ontario Lalies' College, and is the leader of the school choir, which has presented concerts in Bramp ton, George- town, and Ottawa where the choir sang in the Parliament Buildings. Singing instrumental music, organ, and theory are taught at the college, and the school prepares students for teaching degrees in music, says Dr. Davis. Royal Con- servatory of Music examina- tions are held at the college, and Dr. Davis conducts a con- servatory theory centre for exams at OLC. Dr. Davis was in charge of .drama productions at Dan- forth Tech, and also taught drama and public speaking to grades seven and eight at Ottawa. The Ontario Ladies Col- lege has an active drama pro- gram witha variety of plays. A few years ago it came first in a local school drama festival, and last year placed second in a festival sponsored by the Durham Region Board öf Education. One of the college's graduates, Marylynn Mentis, has returned to OLC to teach drama. Debating was introduced at OLC recently, and the school held its first debating tourna- ment with schools from the local area in 1974 toçom- memorate the Centennial of OLC. Ten schools participated last weekend in the second of these inter-school debating tournaments. The quality of education at the Ontario Ladies' College is shown by the increased number of Ontario Scholars the school has had in its graduating classes since Dr. Davis became principal. Whereas there were six Ontario Scholars in 1969, there were l l in -1975, representing 33 per cent of the graduating class. The college buildings are being put to greater use in the summnier than ever belfore, with about four or five on- ferences or schools being held this year in July and August. A choir school of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto will icet at OLC for two weeks in August. and a school for choir and organists was established by the former Principal Dr. Stanley Osborne for the first week of July. Also, there is the Gladys Forester School of Dancing in July, and this summer thc school will be host to a narching band. from Pennsyl- vania du ring the Ontario Firefighters Association Con- vention. Another feature of the The Ontario Ladies' College stands like an old Erglish Castle in the heart of Whitby, a little of the past in a modern community. But the college is keeping up with the times,.with innovative courses and the !argest enrolment it has had in seven years. At right is the Ontario Govemment's histaric site plaque erected in 1974. Free Press Photo Ontario Ladies College is the opportunity for students during the past five years to go on world tours with their teachers during the March break. This year, 15 students will be going to Rome, and last year students visited Amsterdam and Mexico. Dr. Davis has worked over the past few years to improve the facilities of tlie college, by adding better lighting and audio-visual materiais, and this year the college is embarking on a Centennial restoration and renovation program. The 1974 -centennial strengthened the alumnae association and provided an added interest in the school, not only locally but through- oui the country. The historical value of the school building is recognized by the fact that one of the board mniembers, whose daughter graduated from the college, -is a member of the Ontario Historic sites board. "The greatest reward is to see the graduates come back and find them being success- ful in the fields of their choice", says Dr. Davis. "There is a sense of satisfac- tion working with students directly and knowing them all in a personal sort ofway. It keeps me going seven days a week". TUESDAY FEB. 10 When you buy a Thrift Box - - - tone whole chicken) :. Y i Ontario Ladies' College looks at purtrait of Rev. predecessors as principal of as principal, Dr. Davis1 community-oriented and1 curriculum. Principal Dr. Reginald Davis Francis, Farewell, one of his the College. In his seven years has made. the college more has upgraded the academic FreePress Photo .A cAkf CANADANCOMPANY Colonel Sanders and his boys make il "finger lickin' good" tI chickenja OVER 100 LOCATIONS IN ONTARIO- SEE YOUR PHONE BOOK FOR THE·ONE NEAREST YOU. eTUESDAYFAMILYSPECIAL*