ST.STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI UP-DATE A look back over the history of the evolvement of St. Stephen High School from its past to present is an interesting story. The following is a short version of that story. Our town was founded by a band of United Empire Loyalists led by Nehemiah Marks in 1784. St. Stephen was incorporated in 1871, the same year that the “Free Schools Act” was passed in New Brunswick .This resulted in our schools being publicly operated, and the formation of the first school board. Prior to this private schools had operated. These were established or operated by Master Kennedy (our first school teacher); Mrs. Norwood (Academy); Engine Hall Academy (James McBride teacher) as well as schools in Christ Church Hall and the Dow Street School. In 1872 plans were made to contract for the Cove and King Street schools and the first High School operated, believed to be in the Engine Hall. In 873 tenders’ were called for a new high school, the contract price was $22.539, Compare this to the high school built in 1980. The fully equipped price was $6.000.000. The Ganong School a gift of GW Ganong cost $100.000 in 1925.The next construction took place in 1951 when a large section was built at a cost of $523.300, not including furnishings and equipment. These facilities included our first real gymnasium and community auditorium as well as modem vocational education facilities and library occupying the area between the Mark Street and Ganong buildings. Over the next few years other expansions on the same site included a new Marks Street Elementary. These facilities in the 1950’s provided for up to 1200 students with a teaching staff of 62 in Grades 1 to l2. The present (2004) school opened in 1980 and provided for up to 800 Students in grades 9to12. The School District had moved to an Elementary (Grades 1 to 5) Middle School (Grades 6 to 8) organizational structure for its educational system. The new High School located on the towns out skirts (Old Ridge) Upgrading all facilities to modem standards added computer facilities for both students and staff. Through the efforts of the FAN committee out door facilities included tennis and basketball courts, Soccer, Rugby, Softball (lighted) fields and a Nature Trail .A basic track was also part of Fan with hopes it would become an all weather facility in the future. On his retirement in 1983 the board of school trustees named the fields “McGeachy Fields” The impetus for all these facilities came about as Milltown and Lawrence Station High Schools were closed and became part of the new high school student body. -The high school principals since 1922 probably the earliest classes with surviving members are: Mr. R.G.Mowatt, Mr.G.Forbes Elliott, Mr.G.A.McIntyre Mr. Harry Mallory, and Mr.Duncan McGeachy*, Mr.Tony Reader, Mr Ken Estabrooks, Mt\r Robert Brown, and Dr Ray Williams*, Mr.Jamie Waycott* (the* indicates they were S.S.H.S. graduates) Over the years the number of students have ranged from two to one hundred eighty four in the graduation classes, indeed in the mid 1980’s as many as two hundred were enrolled. What a mighty Alumni now spread all over the world. If we were to estimate the number living we think it would approach nine thousand five hundred. Add to this number all who have attended at one time or other there could be close to twelve thousand former students. How can we tap more of these former students to form a stronger Alumni Association? The cost of education continues to increase and we want to be able to assist former students in continuing their education. St. Stephen is developing and needs to attract investors, skilled workers and yes we place are a good to retire, a moderate climate, slower pace of life, access to good health care as well as cultural and recreational facilities locally or within easy driving range, think about it a growing number of former students already have moved back to work or retire. Compiled by Duncan McGeachy with thanks to Doug Dougherty and the late Thomas Acheson
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 16:28:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015