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Pages 19a and 20 of The History of Hamiota (printed 1948).
A few interesting items regarding the
Hamiota School
Gathered by Principal Geo. H. Ruttan from old School records.
If some omissions and inaccuracies occur in this review of the
history of Hamiota School, the reader is requested to attribute
them to the fact that some of the early records are not readily
available.
The first school building of Hamiota District was constructed
by Mr. George Anderson in the fall of 1892. This building was
located on the south-east corner of the farm of Mr. James
Stewart, but when it ceased to be used for school purposes,
was moved to the residential section of the village. It is now
the home of Mr. E.P. Venables, the present Mayor of Hamiota.
Hamiota School, as it now appears, was constructed in three
separate stages. The south-west corner, consisting of two
rooms and a basemeet, was built in 1899 ; its counterpart, the
south-east corner of equal size, was completed in 1908. When
the Consolidated District of Hamiota was formed in 1912, it
became necessary to provide for an increased enrolment, and
the north portion of the school was added in 1914.
Consolidation brought in the rural schools — Watson, Kerr
and Chumah.
The first teacher of Hamiota School was W.E. Pye, and was
followed by J.H. Fraser, who for many years afterwards and
still is, Dr. Fraser of Crandall. The earliest school registers
on file -1906-07— show that Stephen Windsor was Principal then,
and the assistants were Miss Ada Venables and Miss F.M.
Cochrane. The Trustees then were: John Murray, John Houck
and William Pedlow. John Nairn was Secretary-Treasurer.
In September 1907, W. Van Dusen was appointed Principal, and
held that position until June 1913, when he was succeeded by
T.A. Neelin.
The names of the Principals who followed Mr. Neelin: Charles
Gresswell, 1916 1919; W.E. Rogers, 1919-1921 are: J.G.
Johannson, 1921-1925; H.L. Albright, 1925-1927. In September
1927, Geo. H. Ruttan, Principal at date of writing, was appointed.
The names of teachers most familiar to many, are Miss Ada Venables,
Miss F.M. Cochrane and Miss S.A. Sproat. One of the present staff
(1948-49), Mrs. Gladys Fraser, taught one year at Kerr School and
four and one-half years in Hamiota School when she was known as
Gladys Houck. She joined the staff again in 1926.
The following, in the order named, have been Chairmen of the School
Board ; John Murray, M.A. Whimster, J.M. Fraser, F.C. Bennest
and P.C. Fraser. The School Board as at December 1948 is P.C.
Fraser (Chairman), William Pollock, Gordon Smith, W.E. Kirk,
Wilford Cochran and Gordon Allan. The following have been
Secretary-Treasurers of the district: John MacKay, John Nairn,
L.S. Taylor, F.H. Squibb and I.P. Strickland (the present
Secretary-Treasurer).
High School grades were not taught in Hamiota School until the
year 1909. In 1929, with Geo. H. Ruttan as Principal, Grade
Twelve was made available to students. The fee for this grade
was one hundred dollars, later reduced to seventy-five dollars,
then to fifty dollars and finally cancelled altogether.
Those who desire to examine the records of Hamiota School and
test the value of its contribution to the training and guidance
of its youth, will find a living testimony in the lives of the
young men and the young women who have gone out from this school
and are rendering a service in their respective communities that
should make Hamiota experience a feeling of genuine pride.
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