HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-05-14, Page 14Crossroads
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Times -Advocate
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Hensall Public celebrates 50 years
Fun for everyone — Hensall Public celebrated its 50th annivesary May 8 with a
Family Fun Night.Above,Wyatt Cross goes as low as he can while below, Gabriel
Caribe gets his face painted by Skylar Kyle. Below right, Courtney Elmore (left)
and Jillian Bjelan were some of the students helping to run the event. (photos/Pat
Bolen)
HENSALL — Hensall Public School
celebrated its 50th anniversary May 8
with a Family Fun Night at the school.
Principal Alex Vanderkam marked
the occasion with the following
remarks:
"I am proud and excited to be here
with everyone present as we celebrate
Hensall Public School's 50th birthday.
"The new Hensall Public School offi-
cially opened on Oct. 18, 1957. At that
time there were five classrooms and a
kindergarten class. Mr. Robert
Reaburn was the principal when this
new school opened.This was built at a
cost of $112,500.
"Prior to 1957, Hensall Public School
was located on the north east corner of
Richmond Street North and Nelson
Street.
"Students up to Grade 4 attended
that school while older students
walked the two miles to S.S.#10 on
Con. 2 or Airport Road, as we know it
today.
"When SS#10 burned down, a new
school was built on the outskirts of
Hensall for senior classes only.
"In 1965 enrolment reached 305 stu-
dents and it was decided to add an
addition that included three new class-
rooms and a gymtorium.
"In 1966 it was decided to rearrange
the school boundaries so that the
school population would be evenly
divided between Hensall Public School
and Zurich Public School with Parr
Line being the dividing line.
"In 1969 the Huron County Board of
Education was formed.
"At that time, Grade 7 and 8 students
were bussed into Seaforth and later to
J.A.D. McCurdy Public School for
industrial arts and home economics.
"Also at that time the teaching of
French began.
"In 1983/84 the enrolment declined
to 125 students. The villagers rallied
and convinced the school board that
they needed their school. By 1989,
enrolment had increased to 200 stu-
dents.
"Between 1986 and 1990, the school
expanded again as two classes were
added at the south end of the building.
More room was also added to the
library to house computers.
"On Jan. 1, 1998 the Avon Maitland
District School Board was formed.
"In 2000 the Hensall Public School
Community welcomed J.A.D. McCurdy
students to Hensall, as their school was
closed.
"The transition was a smooth one
and Hensall Public School became a
regional school for Special Education.
"Principals of Hensall Public School
have been:
• Mr. R. Reaburn: 1953-1972 and
1979-1985;
• Mr. R. McKay:1972-1979;
• Mr. D. Kemp:1986-1990;
• Mrs. Mary Moffat: 1990-1994;
• Mrs. M. Allen:1994-1997;
• Mr. C. Edmonds: 1997-2000;
• Mr. N. Straw: 2000-2002;
• Mr. R. McSorley: 2002-2005;
• Mr. A. Vanderkam: 2005 -present.
"During the research of the history of
Hensall Public School, it became very
evident that the Hensall community
has always valued education and sup-
ported the students in their communi-
ty.
"Thank you to the school staff, the
school council members and all those
who attended our successful 50th
birthday party/fun fair. Happy birth-
day, Hensall Public School!"