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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-07-03, Page 11A 122nd YEAR-21.THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1909 Last class. graduates from PVLPS The final graduating class of -theme "Life Is A Game," and Victor Lauriston Public School spoke to some -length on how held its banquet at the the students could conduct Harboutlite on .Thursday, June themselves in this game to 26, with 120 students receiving achieve the best results. • diplomas. -Ie likenedthereceiving of Program chairman was Ralph the diplomas to joining the team Smith, supervising principal of and told students it would be a Goderich Public Schools. The game of knocks that would help address of welcome was ,given by prepare them for further things. R. E. Crawford, principal ,of He said,' toolswould be Victor Lauriston and greetings deeded for the game and gave from the Huron County Board co-operation, discipline, '''�f Education were brought by sacrifice, attitude, flexibility, board member Mrs. J. W. sense of respohsibility .and Wallace. respect as some of the tools he has used to get on in life. Guest s speaker was Wayne He said things go 'smoother Horner, director of physical, with co-operation; pointed out education at Goderich District that a team that lacks discipline Collegiate Institute. never succeeds and emphasized Keith Williams was valedictorian.' they would' have to sacrifice / Top wirnnelvof the day were "...blood, sweat and tears" to Keith Williams: the Robert Park become winners: Memorial Medal, for language, "You must be prepared to math and spelling; Kathleen'Sacrifice some of the so-called Wright: Maple Leaf , Chapter good things in life," he said. IODE Award, .' for general "You will be forced to make proficiency; Cathy Hamilton: choices between material things Women's Institute Award, for or the participating in many general proficiency; Joanne Walters: Ahmeek Chapter IODE AWard, for literature and Lori Smith: the Victor Lauriston School Staff Award, for science. Mr. Horner chose as his things." Speaking on the 'students' attitude toward life, Mr. Horner urged them to develop the right one. "If you attempt to, compete inthis world or in. any game with an attitude that is less than desirable,. youwill be in dire strai,tes from the , first whistle onward. If you believe'the'game is won before you begin, you are a loser. If -you develop an attitude or an outlook that, encompasses • humor, desire; honesty, respect, character and a will to learn or look beyond, you will never have to worry about success." Mr. Horner concluded by telling the students of some of the activities that • will be available to them at their next school and urged them to try to live by the rules of the game. "If you can apply these rules to life, our society will ask no more," he said. Mr. Horner had been introduced by Brian Hamilton and_ _ --gra, thanked on behalf of the' school by Sharon (Ild'ham: Awards were presented by Mr. Crawford, Mrs. J. Skeoch, Mrs. E. Thompson, Mrs. N. Clairmont and Mr. B. Bogie. Graduation " class diplomas werepresented by .class teachers. The classes were entertained by the Glee, Club and the graduates joined in with the singing of the School Song and the Graduation Hymn for the last"time. Top award winners e I .would like to pay my humble tribute, to this, - • outstanding 'school. We can see "THE END", flashed across a movie screen, and dash away" without a backward _ glance, or sentimental thought. Not so; for Victor Lauriston Public School! This story is' like a fascinating book of history, for us to file in our library of Memories. I have., the honour to, be a .member of the final graduating class.and one of many thousands of pupils, who have passed through these doors.' The, present site was purchased in 1874, and a High School building was erected. It was only the south-west part of the present school, consisting of two classrooms, one above the other, and with the front entrance on the west. Since previous attendance had never exceeded 56 pupils, it was thought that this space to accommodate 100 pupils, should be sufficient for many years. The first classes weretransferred to the new building from the old Grammar School, in 1875. Attendance increased so rapidly, that further development was soon necessary. Just three years later", in 1878, the school was enlarged with a two-storey double wing on the east end. The school board planned to change the High School to the status of a Collegiate• Institute. They found it did not meet the standard set by the Department of Educatioh. It would require a. gymnasium and considerable renovating. When the High School finally metthese requirements and became a Cpllegiate Institute about 1885, the main building had' been remodelled as to lighting, heating, and separate, entances and separate stairways for the se ces. A science laboratory was equipped, a gymnasium kilt and Am The last graduation banquet for, students of Victor Lauriston School was held Thursday,, June 26 at the Harbourlite Inn..The 120 graduates received diplomas and presentations of special awards were made. Top award winners .were, left to right: Joanne Walters, Ahmeek chapter IQDE Award for literature; Cathy Hamilton, Women's Institute Award for, general proficiency; Keith Williams, Robert -Park Memorial Award for language, math and spelling; Kathleen Wright, Maple Leaf chapter LODE Award for general proficiency and Lori Smith, Victor Lauriston School Staff Award for science. —Staff Photo. , assembly hall on the third floor. The attendance, ho"wever, soon again outgrew the accommodation. A commercial class was crowded into one end of the assembly hall; the floors were badly worn; lighting and ventilation were poor and the whole school was dingy looking. It was condemned by the A. _, Victor Lauriston School students left for last time Friday - of Victor Lauriston 11nnmllimmmnilMmilrmnmmlrm11m itimnnnMmnmmnninnMnn iaminu nnnnnMnth By Debbie Barker ..FAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIihlllIIIIIIIIIMMI1111111)IIIIIIIIIInIIIIIIHIIIIHI)IlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIII111117 Inspectors, and the Department of Education threatened to withhold the annual grant. The 'school board. was again faced with, remodelling or rebuilding. Finally,, in 1924, > frdm the re commendations., of the architects, the decision waste made to remodel 'and enlarge by adding -a three storey wing in the north-west comer. This plan succeeded beyond expectation and the result was a practically new building of modern standard. The Collegiate now had accommodation for 300 pupils. An old G.C.I. year -book describes the change with special pride. (I quote): "New. hardwood floors throughout the building and gymnasium; ample light provided by large windows set ,in steel frames; rooms and halls well lighted by electric lights with neat fixtures; blackboards are of slate, set at a slight incline to prevent glare; ceilings are metal and the walls aro • freshly tinted.. The renovating has so transformed the interior of the Collegiate that it is difficult to tell where the new wing begins. With an expenditure of some $60,000, a supposedly obsolete building has been transformed into a modern Collegiate, with all the necessities and conveniences." This school building, renewed in this way, was able to carry on for many years. In the early thirties, the trend for. change in the school curriculum occurred. Facilities had to be more flexible to meet the . demands of a rapidly changing world. In 1938, an addition was built above the gymnasium, equipped for Manual Training ` (now called Shop) and -a Home Economics room. These units served a not only the Collegiate students, but pupils of the senior grades of the Public and Separate School';, as ,well. Except for periodical re -decoration and minor changes, the G.C.I. school kept pace with the modern educational needs, adequately serving the community,'until the complete transition to a Goderich District Collegiate Institute was'required. After the last Collegiate students left in June 1952, the possibility of ever again using the building as a school, seemed very remote. At times, some of • the more presentable rooms were used for. Boy Scout groups, a Dance Class and ' other organizations. In February 1954, a disastrous fire destroyed the old Huron • County Court House. Until the new building was ready for occupancy the 2nd floor of this school, served as the Huron County offices. In 1955 Victoria Public School was bursting at the seams and the overflow of pupils were squeezed into two classrooms here. This was to be only a temporary arrangement. A contest was held to name the' school. Thee name Victor Lauriston was chosen in honour of a famous former pupil. It was necessary eventually to use nine classrooms (one displaced into the old Health Unit room). In 1963 when the new Robertson Memorial School was built, Grade 6 was' included there; leaving V.L.P.S. as a 8enlbr Public' School, for grades seven and eight. Now, a note of doom has been sounded. This venerable old school, will be no more. A new Senior Public School is to be. built adjoining Ropertson Memorial School. History will record the honourable teachers, who have guided through the years and the many students who have availed themselves of the opportunities for education. When the final chapter Is written, and "THE END'' appears, the events of ninety-five years will be locked inside a book of memories.