The following are brief histories that were written in the back of three school logs that are still in existence. We are very grateful to the authors for capturing school life in an earlier time. If you have any of the old logs that we could look at, please don’t hesitate to contact us a kilbriehistory@gmail.com.
1935
The School Section was much larger in 1862 than at the present time. It included the territory from SS10 to Kilbride, Lowville and down to Nelson Village.
The early pioneers of this section were of British descent. There were a few Catholics but they agreed and lived very neighbourly.
The old school was a log school and was located on the corner. The land for the present school was purchased from Mr. Foster and hence the school is sometimes called Foster’s School.
The present school was built in 1862. This was a new lot that had been bought from Mr. Foster. At first the new lot only consisted of the ground north of the school but about six years ago, the trustees bought another piece of ground from Mr. Raspberry and thus the school grounds were enlarged. Since then the school grounds have been beautified by perennial rows. Last year we bought a piano and a new picture for the school. The number of pupils on the roll was much larger than now, there were often as high as forty.
The old school was north of the present school about 400 yards on the opposite side of the road and was a log building.
Chairman Thos. Millar
Secretary John Heatherington
1939
The interior of the present school was different in a few respects from the school when it was first built. There was no library then and the room was over crowded with pupils. Many children came from Dakota and the powder and saw mills supported many families. So large was the attendance that all the beginners sat on two benches at the front of the room. Double seats were used then whereas they are replaced by single seats. There was no bell until 1892.
At first the school lot only consisted of the ground north of the school however in 1930 the trustees bought another piece of ground from Mr. Russel Rasberry and thus the school grounds were enlarged. The drains were put in about the same time and this too has helped to make the playgrounds more desirable.
The trees here were planted under the direction of Mr. Sandy Fraser who was the teacher. The boys went barefoot back to Foster’s bush, got the trees and planted them. We are certainly indebted to our early pioneers for this as it makes the grounds more picturesque. Perennial rows have been planted along the front and this year we were fortunate in having window boxes.
The first teacher here was Mr. Sandy Fraser. He was educated in Scotland and taught here for three hundred dollars a year and ten dollars for caretaking. He taught Grammar, English, History, Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic and in Geography he taught the British Isles and Canada.
He stressed the subject of penmanship which to-day is dealt with in all subjects and not taken as a special subject on the timetable.
Examinations were held orally instead of written. People were invited to come and hear the teacher question the pupils. The examination was held at Christmas whereas now they are held in June.
Two teachers who went to school here are the Gunby girls, Anne and Mary who are known as Mrs. Richard Gastle and Mrs. Harry Blessenger.
Taxes were collected by the trustees.
The first superintendent was Mr. McLeod who was appointed by the township. He was followed by Mr. Robert Little. The last three inspectors are as follows: Deacon, Mr. J. M. Denyes, Mr. L. L. Skuse.
Chairman: George Coverdale
Secretary: E. R. Heatherington
1942
The water for use in the school was always carried from the spring in Mr. Robert Coverdale’s field but in 1942 a well was drilled in the school yard.
Because of the war all our extra activities centered around our Junior Red Cross. The funds from our Christmas Concert were donated and instead of holding the annual picnic in June, we held a Garden Party, the first ever put on under the auspices of the school. The proceeds were donated to the various was funds.
Chairman Mr. T. Millar
Secretary Mr. Albert McCartney
Kilbride History Group 