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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-29, Page 88 News Record • Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Hinc Lucem: The Founding of Clinton Collegiate Institute David Yates What became known as the Clinton Collegiate Institute began as the Clinton Gram- mar School in 1866. Modeled on the English public school tradition, the grammar schools gave students an advanced education based for students pursuing higher education. In Clinton, like every other com- munity that aspired to great- ness, the establishment of a secondary school was a vital step in the town's cultural development. According to 'The History of Clinton' (1975), Mr. Argo, a graduate of Oxford University, was the Clinton Grammar School's first headmas- ter. Classes were held on the 'top floor of a frame building on Rattenbury Street East' but soon the demand for space outgrew its humble location. It seems the school held classes in the Clinton Masonic Hall and the Central School before the need for a separate build- ing was deemed necessary. Funding anew school build- ing was a major challenge for the Clinton Grammar School Board of Trustees. In 1867-68, Board Chairman and famed South Sea explorer and anthropologist, Horatio Hale found a unique solution. Since the provincial grammar school grant was calculated on the basis that female students were only worth half of the funding of their male counter- parts, Hale argued that boys and girls students should receive equal funding. In a series of letters to Eger- ton Ryerson, the Chief Super- intendent of Education, Hale contended that since 'the girls continue to come to the school, and the teacher has the labour of instructing them' then girls should funded on the same basis as boys. Hale also argued that the potential `evils' of mixing boys and girls together in high schools would be diminished because true education advanced moral restraint. Reverend Ryerson agreed and, in 1868, the Clinton Grammar School became, perhaps, the first secondary school in Ontario to receive equal funding for male and Birthday Club ictoria Baker Jan 29th Hayden Gardner Jan 29th " Nicholas Finch Jan 29th Leah Catharina Feb 1st Kaylee McCullough Feb 1st Ashley Beattie Feb 2nd itir Nevaeh Mitchell -Hall Feb 2nd Teegan Middleton Feb 2nd Callum Stevenson Feb 4th Lane Edgar Feb 4th Tyson Finch Feb 4th Call our In -Store Bakery to Order BIRTHDAY CAKES OR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION CAKE • MAGIC CAKES • CHARACTER CAKES • • BIRTHDAY CAKES • Moore,SMade to your specification. O O D LA 6 Mary St., Clinton • 482-9341 female students. Yet, in 1875 what was now called the Clin- ton County High School still lacked its own building. The issue came to a head in November 1875 when a John George Hodgins, Ryerson's Deputy Superintendent reported that the cramped 'accommodation' was 'insuffi- cient.' for a proper High School. If the trustees did not 'erect a suitable building for' a High School, they would lose their grant money. As 'The Clinton New -Era' succinctly put it, the issue was 'School, or No School: The paper argued that 'the necessity for building is absolute.' The editor forcefully main- tained that the 'Clinton High School has obtained preemi- nence as an institution of learning' that can only be enhanced by the erection of a school building which would draw large numbers of schol- ars. Not only was the 'moral effect of higher education' was 'plain to be seen' but, indeed, the town's prosperity was dependent on the building of a high school because many families had settled in Clinton to take advantage of the oppor- tunities of higher education. In January 1876, the school trustees purchased 3.5 acres in the northeast corner of the town at a place known as Gib- bons Hill (the current location of Central Huron Secondary School) for $1,050. The builder, William Little, erected the two story yellow brick Gothic style building on the west end of the property. Sev- enty pupils entered the school through the tower entrance for the first time on January 8, 1877. With four 'well lighted and ventilated school rooms, and two large halls on each flat' the school was considered a fine 'handsome' building at $4,500. A March 1878 advertise- ment for the Clinton High School boasted that 'this School prepares pupils for the Universities and for entering upon the professions. Special attention is given to the studies of Public School Teachers.' The school had a diverse curricu- lum, which offered courses in Natural Philosophy, Chemis- try, the Classics, Modem Lan- guages, Mathematics, English and History. It was all the more remarkable when one consid- ers that Head Master James Turnbull had only two 'assist- ants' or teachers to deliver the curriculum. Prospective students were advised that 'good board can be obtained in respectable families at from $2 to $3 per The Royal Canadian Legion would like to thank all who helped make our annual Elimination Draw held on New Year's Day a success once again this year. Congratulations to all our winners. ELIMINATION DRAW WINNERS EARLY BIRD DRAWS PAUL CHAMBERS $1 50 CINDY EATON $100 JENNIFER MACLEOD $50 JANUARY 1, 2014 LINDSAY MINERS $100 RUSTY BRANDON $50 GINA SHROPSHALL $100 RON DRISCOLL $50 ALICE BROCHU $100 ROBERT PAOLA $50 RON JEWITT $1 00 ORRIN BAIRD $50 KELLY ATKINSON $1 00 DENNIS VALENTA $200 GINA SHROPSHALL $300 KIM STATIA $400 JOHN MCKENZIE $1 000 (SPLIT) RIENK FEDDES $1 000 (SPLIT) A postcard of the Clinton Collegiate Institute circa 1910 courtesy of the Toronto Public Library. week'. As the school lacked a library, students were advised that for only $1 per year, they could have access to the 'well - supplied reading room of the Clinton Mechanics Institute.' In 1885, the addition of a library, gymnasium and greater emphasis on Classical Studies elevated the school to a Collegiate Institute. Clinton Collegiate Institute became 'one of the leading attractions of the town' as pupils enrolled from all over the county. When James Turnbull, who had been Headmaster since 1868, retired in 1891, he was 'lauded' for his dedication to local education and in build- ing a school that 'was the best equipped, as regards to teach- ing staff, and other equip- ments of any institution in the country.' Turnbull chose the school's red and blue colours, which were later adopted as the official colours of the Town of Clinton. Either Turnbull or Mr. Samuel Perry, a Classics Master of 'high ideals' chose Hinc Lucem' as the school's Latin motto, which translates into 'Hence the Light' or 'Towards the Light: The first annual commence- ment took place in September 14, 1894. The day began with an afternoon of sports, fol- lowed by an 'At -Home' in the evening with the commence- ment ceremonies began. Local businesses provided academic and sporting prizes, as the townspeople were invited to gather for the celebration. The 'New Era' stated the school's intention was 'to make this an annual affair and a social event in the history of the school: It is a school tradition that has continued uninterrupted ever since. After 50 years of service, the Clinton Collegiate building was declared unfit for 'mod- em' usage and a new building was constructed in 1926- 27. The 'new' Tudor style building forms part of the cur- rent Central Huron Secondary School. Several of the 'old' col- legiate graduates won national and international fame. The Clinton Collegiate Institute has produced an Edmonton Mayor, two provincial Minis- ters of Education, the Founder of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics (Stats Canada), a Sas- katchewan Premier, Louis Riel's personal secretary and a knight of the realm. The lamp ofleaming still bums bright on Princess Street nearly 150 years later. GOL EEIGH 524-n11- 7:30 Nightly Ezt-n- 4A 10iigi CUFF& VOW Li C RA.lraLavR } Jan 31 _ Feb O Mark WahIborg Taylor 8i9a¢h Enmila Hirsch earl Fra444r All &Wiwi!' 33b1irJ04 L11dw19 &it manna Li,1l9R Loor arda DiCrrflrrb ,Jonah FII IVlar ai FtoibbIa &a1• w1•404741grwSe THE WOLF OF WALL STREET 7:30 Nightly www.moviDlinks,ca krq ?1uIuIklf 1-8OO-i6 -` 438