Victory Public School turns one hundred years old this year.
Built in 1919 to acknowledge the end of the First World War, it has been a prominent structure in the Guelph community ever since.
“It's a centrepiece of the community,” says local historian Susan Ratcliffe.
Located on 135 Exhibition St. Ratcliffe says the school is a legacy for Guelph because it stands high overlooking Exhibition Park and carries beautiful architectural details.
Victory school has been a part of many historical events throughout the years, with some notable events such as the following.
Students marched on Kent Street on Jun. 6, 1939 to view the royal party that included King George and Queen Elizabeth.
Students assisted in the war effort by raising over $10,431 to buy war saving certificates and victory bonds after the Second World War began in 1939.
Principal Julie Young says that the school continues to encourage students to raise funds for charitable initiatives such as Terry Fox, Jump Rope for Heart and UNICEF.
The school began an annual tradition where students performed in a Christmas concert for the senior citizens in Guelph during Christmas season in 1957. Currently, students from the school visit senior citizens at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and participate in an intergenerational program.
Classes in the school performed in monthly assemblies that took place from 1959 to 1960 with topics such as Thanksgiving, Church Week, Remembrance Day, United Nation Day, Christmas and education week.
Young says a notable difference is the evolvement and addition of subject matters that are more relevant today such as respect, inclusion, gratitude, taking responsibility, self-esteem and peace.
An old registry from the school indicates that the school also functioned as a centre to nurture children at the time of The Great Depression in 1920 when they did not have parents or when their parents could not financially support them.
“It's always been an important philosophy of this school to think beyond its walls,” says Young.
“The school is still a very stately building with its beautiful wooden doors, large windows and brass hand railings on the stairways. There have been many updates through the years including large flat screen tv’s for chrome casting in several of the classrooms.”
Ratcliffe says the school's close proximity to Exhibition Park plays an important role in its history.
“It had a horseracing track. You can see the remnants of the track on that inside road. The circus train used to stop on Edinburgh Road. Right now, it’s a walking trail but that's where they led the elephants down into the park, and kids got to walk with the elephants to the circus.”
Last year, Ratcliffe and Christine Bretherick, a local artist, developed an art project that aimed to teach students about the architecture of the school with the help of a map that allowed students to navigate through the school and see the historical significances. The art project is now on display in the school.
Notable alumni from the school include Donna Strickland, a physics professor at the University of Waterloo and a Nobel prize winner for her contribution in the development of pulse lasers.
Young says the school is encouraging former students to share pictures or stories to put on display on Doors Open Guelph, a celebration of the city’s architecture.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the school will be hosting a number of events.
On April 26th there will be a dance show at E.L. Fox Auditorium at John F. Ross high school called Dance through the Decades.
Tours will take place in April. 27 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as a part of Doors Open Guelph.
Live History, a theatre company will be present at the school on May 6 to present the history of the school to the students in an interactive way.
The 59th Annual Dessert Party will be held at the school in May 16 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
