Article One

School History
>> Bowmanville High School
Ever wonder what things were like at BHS in the first 50 years and beyond?
Article One : Education In Bowmanville
Title : Bowmanville High School 1880-1990 : One Hundred Years
Copyright 1990, Bowmanville High School Yearbook Committee

Ever wonder what things were like at BHS in the first 50 years and beyond?
This exerpt (1) speaks about how things were in the late 1920s at BHS.

Higher education in Bowmanville began with a class organized in 1851 by
Colonel Reid, an English gentleman. A school-room fitted up over his driving-house.
However for some reason this school did not last very long. In 1856 a new school
house was built which was a Grammar School and later it was used as a High School
until the building was burned in 1887. The new High School was built in 1888-90.
With some additions we are using the same building now.

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When the new school was built it was said that it was " one of the finest
and most suitable buildings east of Toronto." That was in 1890. Now in
1928 our school lacks many conveniences which other high schoolsand
collegiates have. For instance we have no gymnasium and so in winter the girls
must take physical culture in the assembly hall and the boys in a form which boasts
moveable desks. We have an assembly room, its true, but it is without a good platform
or suitable accomodation for a crowd so when we want to hold an inter-school debate
or present a play, we have to go to the Opera House.

We have no reading room or library, nor cafeteria as some modern schools have.
This latter would certainly be a great boon to students who come in from the country.
But although we do not have an ideal school, we have a real live school spritit and that
is what really makes this school great. In 1882, reports from inspectors praised the
high tone of the school. At that time it began to take a higher rank among the schools
of Ontario than before, and the high standard of 1882 is still being maintained. This
was and is due, no doubt, to the teachers. The late Professor Squair has said he owes a
large debt to Bowmanville High School and its faithful teaching staff. Today we also have
a very efficient staff of techers. Last year Miss Sissons left to take up a new
position in Port Credit and Miss Stedman came to us as the classical teacher.

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The school board at that time was composed, as it is now, of high-minded men who worked
unanimously for the welfare of the school. The school board has been fortunate in
having Mr. Couch for its chairman.

According to a book "History of Darlington and Clarke" Mr.Couch has been on the school
baord for fifty years. Although he is well over fourscore years old, he still takes great
interest in the school.

We have had our share of greatness. Men who have graduated from this school have
prominent positions in the province. The late Prof. John Squair, of the University
of Toronto was a graduate of this school. Prof. Joliffe, of Queen's University, Kingston
and Mr. Paul Trebilcock of the Board of Education, Toronto both received their high school
education here.

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For the past eight years debates between Oshawa Collegiate Institute and Whitby and
Bowmanville High Schools have been held in competition for the Jury and
the more creditable when one considers that there were only 188 students to choose from
here compared with Oshawa's 800. This seems to emphasize that our Motto 'Non Quantum
Sed Quale' [Not Quantity but Quality] is rightly chosen.

For years the Literary society has been an active organization in school life. Throughout
the year it presents interesting programs. In the past it has put on Shakespeare plays
and this year it again presented another successful play. During the year there is
usually a successful Hallowe'en party and a skating party.One of the most important
social functions each year is the graduate's reception after Commencement.

But our life is not confined to the intellectual and social sides only.; The boys and
girls each have an athletic organization. We have rugby, soccer, hockey and basketball
teams. We also have a tennis court. At the inter-school meets the school has always made
a creditable showing. Many times Bowmanville has won the sheild.

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Note : The articles above are available in the Bowmanville Branch of the
Clarington Public Library in their reference section. Ask at the information
desk if you need help.        
       