Well, here we are once again with “back to school” being top of mind for many families.
School opening in the fall was definitely very different in the early decades of this city’s existence. It was sometimes hard to get the young people back into class as many were still actively needed at their summer work, around the home property, in the agricultural industry and so on. It was a different world but school – reading, writing, arithmetic and other topics as time went on – was extremely valuable.
There were many school buildings throughout the city’s history. Some are mostly forgotten, while others are well remembered by those who spent time there and cherish their stories and tangible reminders of classes, teachers and the buildings themselves.
There were buildings such as Duke of Connaught, Trapp Tech, Lord Lister, Central School, Columbian College, Royal City, West End, Hume Park and Sapperton. And there were earlier forms of John Robson, Lord Kelvin, Richard McBride, Queen Elizabeth, Queensborough, FW Howay and Herbert Spencer. Some changed names, such as Vincent Massey and Lester Pearson. And there would be even more to make the list complete.
Many interesting discussions about attending school in New Westminster include talk of the things needed to return to class in the fall. There are great stories and reminiscences from the 1930s to 1960s that focus on the shopping required, especially at Woodward’s. The Woodward’s “back to school $1.49 day” always seems to be a central topic.
Today we often see back-to-school lists and displays at various stationery stores. Sometimes these are for different school districts and even schools themselves. In this city many folks will remember “the list” which was frequently a half-page in size and just simply typed. And there were always items needed for a particular grade in an upcoming year.
There were pencils (HB), pens (if allowed), an eraser (Pink Pearl and maybe a soft art type), sometimes a straight pen and nibs, note books (various types for different grades), sometimes a scrapbook, an art portfolio, blue shorts with white stripe and so on for gym class, and sometimes more depending on the year and grade. Great memories for most.
Interested in what the earlier schools of New Westminster looked like and in hearing some accounts of early education locally? Where were the earliest schools located? The New Westminster Historical Society on Wednesday, Sept. 21, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the New Westminster Public Library auditorium, will feature a presentation on this topic. It will be lots of fun, and there won’t be a test.
