Times Advocate, 1992-07-15, Page 37REFLECTIONS
Times Advocate
Page 23
So many changes in
the education system
Changes over the last
150 years have been
many and varied, but one
of the biggest changes is in
the education system. From
the one room school houses
to the multi -room institu-
tions we have now.
Today it is common for
students to continue
through high school to get
their diploma whereas 150
years ago many children
didn't make it past, grade
eight or .the second fourth
as it was knovvn..lf they
wanted to go on they would
have had to write an en-
trance exam. -
The old school house was
usually one room (if you
were lucky there were two
rooms) with students from
grades 1 through 8 being
taught by one common
teacher.
It is difficult
for us to
relate
to the
way
the
educa
tion
system
operated
then be-
cause today we go to
school in huge schools with
many differ-ent class-
rooms and a different
teacher for each subject. It
is common nowadays for
children to continue on past
high school and go on to
college and university to
further their education.
To get a job in today's
society is very difficult
even if you have your high
school diploma because
there is so much competi-
tion in the working world.
But many years ago when
students finished school
they would usually have a
job working on their family
fare or on a neighbour's
farrn Today, however,
many of these jobs have
been replaced by high tech
machinery that doesn't re-
quire any assistance from
anyone.
Many people have credit-
ed the collaborative learn-
ing of the one mom school
as having produced self -
motivated, co-operative stu-
dents. Schools of today are
still working on methods to
produce these exact kinds
of students. Sometimes the
solutions for our problems
he to the past not the fu-
ture.
Isabelle Cann reflects on Usborne
n 1907, January 5,
Mary Isabelle
(McCullagh) Cann was
born to Mr. and Mrs. John
McCullagh, South of Far-
quhar in Usborne Town-
ship. Isabelle's early years
of schooling took place at
SS M3 Usbornc, in a one
room, stone, schoolhouse.
"You didn't have grades,
you went into primary, then
junior, junior second, junior
third, senior second, senior
third, senior forth (which
was an entrance class)."
She travelled to Winchel-
sea, to write exams for ad-
mission into high school.
She passed the exams and
attended high school, or
continuation in Winchelsea
for two years.
In 1927, she was married
to Robert Alvin Cann and
and moved into the family
farmhouse. The farm con-
sisted of 100 acres of land
and they grew a mixed crop
of grains. They. also raised
dairy cattle. "We had to
milk the cows by hand.
there wasn't the machinery
then, that there is now." Is-
abelle took on the role of
housewife, she said "I
worked in the house, kept it
clean, kept the family fed
and kept the clothes
washed." She had four chil-
dren, so she was busy.
"We had to
milk cows by
hand..."
Isabelle and her family
purchased their first car in
1928. It was quite a change
from the horse and buggy.
but they still used it in the
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
USBORNE TOWNSHIP
FOR
150 YEARS SERVICE
from the
Management and Staff
B Bank
of Montreal
Exeter Crofton Deohwood
235, :5O 2344392 2374511
summers and they used the
car in the cold weather.
When electricity came.
Isabelle's job was made a
little easier. The electric
washer, was less time con-
suming, than the wash
board. "I wonder today,
how we ever managed
without it," she said. It also
brought radio and black
and white television, which
was great entertainment for
the family.
For entertainment, during
the winter months, Isa-
belle's family and friends
on the concession, would
get together at someone's
house. The kids would play
together and the grown-ups
would play (act out) cha-
rades.
After her husband passed
away in 1969, she moved
to Exeter. She has lived in
Exeter for the past 23
We sNrilp the citizens Qf
Usborne Township
celebrating 150 years Ad
of progress .
Our appreciation is extend-
ed for your patronage.
Ron and Marilyn Heimrtdt
Aw
EXETER PAINT
AND PAPER
378 Main Street
Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6
(519) 2364162
INF Pr—_ 1•-••-15—A -
tow
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years. "Times have certain-
ly changed to what they
were." Whether the chang-
es will be for the better or
worse is yet to be seen.
Derek Etherington displays his collection of model trac-
tors at the New Year's Levee. Collecting for nine
years, the Etheringtons have hundreds of models
which they display at shows throughout Southwestem
Ontario.
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
• One nights accommodation for two, room
and tax only, on the night of your choice, in a
deluxe City view room at the Sky Dome Hotel.
Valid to September 30, 1992.
• Two tickets to a Blue Jays Game at the Sky
ammimisinueDome.
Fill out an entry form at the Souvenir table on
Friday or Saturday of Homeoomin Weekend.
Prize to be awarded at the dance -Sat., July 25
Courtesy of Ellison Travel and Tours Ltd.
•
Happpy 150th Birthday
USBORNE TOWNSHIP
It was an honour to have produced
the Usborne History Book
"Between the Fences"
0
.64,(epitris Prifititui
.......
76 Victoria St. E., Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1
Tel: (519) 235-2442 Fax: (519) 235-2221