INTRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN ONTARIO
The early Grammar Schools in Upper Canada or Canada West (Ontario) provided haphazard education. A Grammar School had been established in Newmarket in 1843 but until 1853 there had been no official course, no school inspectors, and no local tax revenue to support education.
The qualifications for admittance to Grammar School were:
— To read intelligibly and correctly any passage from any common reading book,
— To spell correctly the words of an ordinary sentence,
— To work questions readily in the simple and compound rules of arithmetic and in reduction and proportion.
— To be acquainted with definition and outlines of geography.
There were sixty four Grammar Schools in the province in 1853 when they were placed under the authority of the Council of Public Instruction by the provincial government.
In 1865 municipalities were required to support the local Grammar School by taxation which provided for expansion and improved facilities, however, students were still required to pay low fees for more than a half century.
Dr. Egerton Ryerson, Principal of Victoria college end provincial Superintendent of Schools from 1844 to 1876 brought about many changes to the school system, He introduced authorized text books and approved courses of study, school inspection, school libraries as well as planning of school buildings.
In 1871 an Act of Legislature originated by Dr. Ryerson changed Grammar Schools to High schools in the Province of Ontario and only students who had completed Public School were admitted to these Schools.
Dr. Ryerson’s new theories of education added the reading of fiction and poetry with emphasis on modern languages, literature and science to the basic curriculum of English Grammar, Reading, Writing, Latin, Arithmetic and Geography.
Before Dr. Ryerson’s retirement in 1876, the schools came under the direct control of the provincial government. The Council of Public Instruction was replaced by the Department of Education, headed by a minister of the Cabinet. For many years after his retirement there was little change in either structure or method in Ontario education, although over a period of twenty years Ryerson’s reforms were established uniformly throughout the province. Departmental examinations were introduced to achieve uniformity in standards of attainment.
The Industrial Education Act of 1911 was the official beginning of Vocational education in Ontario but Newmarket High School had already introduced a commercial course in 1909 under the guidance of Miss Laura Wickett who joined the staff in that year and remained until her retirement in 1935.
By 1913 Ontario secondary schooling was a six-year institution with Lower, Middle and Upper School comprising two years each. There was a four-year program of general education but not for university entrance. Completion of this course provided the students with Junior High School Graduation Diploma.
In 1921, revisions were made to limit Upper School to one year instead of two, resulting in a five year course for Senior Matriculation end a four year course for Junior Matriculation. At this date, also, the minimum age for leaving school was raised from 14 to 16.
In 1936 the Department of Education officially numbered the of public schools and secondary-schools from 1 through 13. High School Entrance departmental examinations at public school Senior Fourth (later Grade 8) were abolished in 1950. Provincial examinations in the secondary schools have been successively dropped: Lower School examinations in 1933, Middle School or Junior Matriculation in 1940 and Upper School in 1968.
The Newmarket district faced problems which were typical of all schools in Ontario. The depression of the thirties brought overcrowding due to increased enrollment of teens who remained in school because of lack of jobs and adults who returned to further their education. The impact of the war on schooling was felt in many ways — both teachers and student enlisted in the armed services — inter—school athletic competitions were cancelled and publication of year books was suspended,
The post war surge of births, the influx of immigrants from many countries, re-habitation of ex—servicemen, and migration of population to the suburbs created necessities for expansion of education facilities.
Powerful stimuli to further development of education derived from the effect of the technological and scientific revolution and the vigorous demands for the right of a child to go on to university. The result was an enlargement of a variety of course and consequently additions were e requirement to existing buildings and entire new schools in many school areas. Newmarket High School was directly affected by these typical conditions. A new wing was added to the High School in 1957 and Huron Heights Secondary School was built in 1962.
In September 1962, the “Robarts Plan” was inaugurated to broaden the program for secondary schools. This plan named after the Honourable John Robarts, then Minister of Education for Ontario, was designed to meet the challenge of technological and social advances. A wide variety of programs were offered to suit the needs, interests and aptitudes of the students.
The “Roberts Plan provided five—year courses leading to university training for the courses formerly known as Academic (General), Commercial and Technical. The new names are “ARTS and SCIENCES”; BUSINÉSS and COMMERCE and “SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and TRADES”, respectively. It also offers four—year courses in the same subjects as the five—year plan for those students who intend to join the work force at the end of that time or who plan to attend the new Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. Another alternative in some schools is a special two—year course for either technical or commercial training,
In the late sixties, the form of government significantly affected education administration by the introduction of Regional Government. Coincidently social standards were undergoing a form of revolution. Throughout the 1970’s permissiveness of students, dissatisfaction of teachers and frustration of school boards created a turbulence which has not been fully resolved.
HISTORY OF NEWMARKET HIGH SCHOOL
The educational facilities have served the local district down through the years as an integral segment of the social structure and have formed the basis of higher learning for a multitude of students living in the area.
The establishment of Grammar Schools by statute-of 1807 in the Province of Upper Canada was an important contribution towards better educational facilities. me early residents of Newmarket came to feel the need of a school where their children could be taught the classic languages and literature and, as a result, representation was made to the provincial government by such names as, “Beresford, Smith, Irwin, Bogart, Playter, Cawthra, Botsford” and the local clergy.
The sum of seventy-five pounds was allocated by his
Excellency, the Governor-General for the support of a Grammar School located in the Village of Newmarket in the township of Whitchurch, providing the inhabitants of the locality comply with conditions administered by the Municipal Council and erect a suitable school house.
Land was procured from Mr. R. H. Smith who owned part of Lot on the north side of Lot Street (Millard Avenue) and a building was erected in 1843. This was a brick structure with walls thirteen inches thick, with beams and planking hand—hewn. Some of the planks measured 24 inches wide and 8 feet in length. Plaster was applied directly to the brick interior and the ceiling, where it met the walls, was gently coved. The building still exists and, although it has suffered many transfers of ownership and many changes, the basic elements are as sound as when it was built.
There was accommodation in this school-house for forty-six pupils. The school grounds extended south of ‘Raglan’ (which was not opened as street until 1879). This area, now occupied by the Bell Telephone company, was a vacant commons and originally owned by Mr. R. H. Smith who lived in ‘The Cedars’ and whose property extended from Elm Street eastward to Main Street.
According to a report of 1843, this was the second Grammar School opened in Upper Canada, and as well, it was the first established north of Toronto.
The first Principal, or Head Master, of this one-roomed school was the Reverend Hugh John Borthwick, M.A. who presided until 1853. In 1848, Mrs. Mulock brought her little family to Newmarket and when son William was only seven years old, he started school and became the favourite victim of strap wielding Rev. Bothwick and was told, “He would never earn enough salt to season his porridge”
In the Fall of 1854, a transformation came over the education system with the arrival of a new master. Mr. Samuel Arthur Marling, M.A. had been a gold medalist in classics at the University of Toronto in 1853. This teacher subsequently became Deputy Minister of Education for Ontario and the boy, William, became Sir William Mulock, Chief Justice of the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice for the Province of Ontario.
During 1858 Mr. S, A. Marling issued a report that the building was ‘freehold’ and the fees were four, three and two pounds per term and that the pupils were prepared for University and Law. The curriculum included Bookkeeping, English Grammar, Latin, Geography, Canadian, Ancient and Modern Histories, Physical Science, Chemistry and Physiology.
Pupils listed – June 30, 1858:
| G. LOUNT | B. IRWIN |
| w. DUDLEY | E. CHAPELL |
| E. E. DUDLEY | G. 1. GALLIVER |
| I. A. BOTSFORD | T. TAYLOR |
| S. P. CALDWELL | H. TAYLOR |
| J. W. CALDWELL | A. CLARK |
| S. M. WILLSON | A. Y. RAMSAY |
| A. WILLSON | T. BENTLEY |
| D. STEVENS | s. WALKER |
| w. PHILLIPS | J. M. RYIGHT |
| W. A. MONKMAN | T. WALLIS |
| J. P. COLLINS | B. F. PEARSON |
| N. O ‘ CONNOR | J. C. PEARSON |
| S. M. FOWLER | R. ROWEN |
| I. JOHNSON | K. ROWEN |
| R. S. DAVISON | S. S. DAVIDSON |
| A. ROGERS | J. EASNAN |
(Names are quoted since many of them are recognized in the later history of the town).
TRUSTEES 1858-1859
REV. SEPTIMUS RAMSAY
REV. NOS. BAKER
THOS. G. PYNE M.D.
R. H. SMITH
Presumably – Mr. Marling continued as school master until 1865 when W. H. Vandersmissen M.A. presided for a short time and was followed by Dr. Morton.
From the High School Inspector’s report of December 21, 1870* Mr. W.W. Anderson became Head Master and in the report of April 28, 1871, Mr. William R. Nason was his successor. Mr. Nason was shown in all reports until December 15, 1874 which simply states “Mr. Nason dies (much regretted) on November 21, 18714”, and his assistant, Mr. Alexander, was mentioned as acting Head Master.
* A change had been brought about by the Ontario
Legislature passed in 1871 which is officially referred to as ‘34 Victoria (1870-1871) Chapter 33’. By this act all Grammar schools immediately became ‘High Schools or
Collegiate Institutes’ and the old Grammar School became the first High School in Newmarket until the newer one was erected on Prospect Street.
In March 1871 – the High School principal Mr. Nason, sent out a notice printed in small type x 72 inches announcing:
“The undersigned begs respectfully to announce to the inhabitants of Newmarket and Vicinity that the Easter term of Newmarket High School will commence on Wednesday 12th of April. Every facility will be presented to those who wish to avail themselves of the excellent advantages offered by the school, under the new act now in force and every assistance will be afforded to all who are desirous of preparing for entrance into either mercantile or collegiate pursuits.
No pains will be spared to render the school, as an educational institution as efficient and as useful as possible, and the subscriber trusts that there will be accorded to him the same liberal patronage which has hitherto characterized the people of New-market and the surrounding country.
Terms, per quarter, to be paid in advance $4.00. A reduction will be made in the case of more than one pupil from a family.
(signed) William R. Nason B.A. Principal
Newmarket – March 25, 1871
The report of the inspector on December 16, 1875 names Dr. Morrison as Head Master, although the actual date of his appointment is not noted.
To this school came the sons of prosperous farmers and Newmarket’s businessmen of that time to acquire an education at this institution of learning, the teachers of which, in the religious and intellectual association, left an impression on the minds of the pupils. The Grammar/High School together with the practical training received by students at the Mechanics Institute* produced in Newmarket a class of citizens much above the average.
*Established 1856 for night classes for youths and adults from industry and farm. In 1895 it merged into Newmarket Public Library.
Among those who attended the Grammar/High School and attained prominence in broader public life are:
|
Dr. Thomas Bentley
Aemilius Jarvis
This list, is not complete, but suggests the influence which was produced by that small school.
During the Grammar School period, the community progressed from a small settlement to an increasing population of more than 700 inhabitants.
The railroad was built in 1853 which increased trade and the municipality became an embryo county seat. In 1857, it separated from the township of Whitchurch to become an independent incorporated village.
SECOND HIGH SCHOOL (1877-1893)
By 1876, the attendance at the old Grammar School building, on Lot Street (Ml 1lard Avenue) had so increased that larger accommodation had become imperative and in May of that year, the School Board requested from Council the sum of $6,000.00 with which to purchase land and erect a building. This was favourably received and a By-law submitted and passed.
Two acres of land at the corner of Prospect and Pearson Streets were purchased from George and Joseph Williams. This transaction was registered January 2, 1877 and a brick building erected that summer.
Mr. J. T. Stokes of Sharon was the architect. The design was Gothic in style, symmetrical in plan form with an extended wing at each end facing west, the longitudinal axis running north and south. The predominant feature was a small, delicately detailed tower springing from the west wall and central on the building. The roofing slates were laid in alternate strips of black and grey. The Gothic style with narrow church-like windows and the patterned brick work were probably the result of the architect’s state-of-mind at the time as he was, in that period, also designing the Presbyterian Church and the Christian Church.
In June 1877, following the opening of the new High School, the Reeve introduced a By-law to give consent to surrender the Grammar School site to the Crown. This was carried out in 1878.
Mr. Morrison was the Principal in the old school building on Lot Street (Millard Avenue) and continued in the new High School until 1879. He was exceptionally well informed and a great student of astronomy. Through his telescope, he gave the pupils many interesting hours.
Dr. Morrison’s assistants from 1876 to 1880 were
George Rose and a Mr. Newcombe, a graduate of Dublin University. One distinguishing feature of this latter gentleman’s regime was that he invariably stood the late P. W. Pearson* in the corner each morning, claiming that if here not then making a noise, he soon would be. (Punishment before the crime).
*P. W. Pearson was a descendant of the pioneer Pearson Family after whom Pearson Street was named. He was a long time business man and very active in community affairs, and for many years a member of the High School Board.
By 1880 the village of Newmarket had a population of approximately 2100 and at the Council meeting of May 7, the reeve and clerk were authorized to sign a petition to the Lieutenant Governor—in—Council making application for a proclamation incorporating the village into a town.
- On August 7, 1880 the Official Gazette published the formal Proclamation of the Incorporation of the Town of Newmarket. 0n New Year’s Pay 1881 a great celebration and banquet was held in the Mechanics Hall (on Millard Avenue). The educational institutions were toasted and Newmarket was considered to have high educational standing and many names of people were recalled who had become prominent in public service and who had received their education in Newmarket public and high schools.
- In 1891 a new Model School (later known as the Alexander
Muir School) was built on the north—east corner of Prospect and Timothy St. comprising six class—rooms and first year enrollment of 327 pupils.
report on education in the Provincial Legislature of 1891 recorded that the total number of high schools in the province was 126 and the total number of teachers was 484. The average attendance of pupils was 611, and the cost per pupil was $34, 26. The average salaries for head masters and assistant masters was $906.00.
- Many students attended high school only in the winter as they were busy on the farms during the late harvest and early planting in the springtime.
Mr. J. E. Hollingshead, a teacher who started in 1884 later recalled that some of the students were older than he was, as high as twenty—eight years old.
- The Inspector’s report of 1892 stated that the academic standing of N.H. S. students was very good. In the Departmental examinations, 60% of Newmarket candidates were successful while the provincial average was only 40%.
March 16, 1893 — The High School was destroyed by fire, late in the night, which originated in the wood burning furnace and fanned to fury by high March winds.
- A meeting was held the next day by the High and Public Boards and arrangements were made to accommodate the high school students in the Model school building on the following Monday until a new school could be built.
The fire was a serious loss to the community, but in retrospect it signalled the beginning of a new era.
o The small three room school was overcrowded and required an additional room and a fourth teacher as stated by the inspector’s report of 1892,
- The building was as cold as a barn in the winter. The narrow outside windows gave poor natural light and the artificial lighting by coal—oil lamps was not conducive to academic studies.
- Outdoor privies were still accepted as standard facilities.
From Grammar School days, following the rebellion of 1837 and the influences of the ‘Family Compact’, the community progressed through periods of prosperity and depression.
- Currency changed from Pounds Sterling to the Dollar or decimal system in 1867 with confederation and by 1875 the credit/barter dealings became a cash system, which improved business transactions.
- Enterprising merchants were increasing and industries being established.
- Electricity was introduced for home and street lighting in the 1890′ B and the Electric Railway was built up Yonge Street from Toronto to Newmarket providing access to the city in less than an. hour for passenger and freight,
- Primitive automobiles were struggling over unpaved roads.
- Several major fire which destroyed whole business blocks hastened the development of water supply reservoirs, mains and a pumping station. The water services were extended in 1889 to domestic and Industrial use.
Even with the economic end population growth, there were some large families who could only send one or two of their sons to high school while the rest, of necessity had to work to provide a livelihood. The girls of the household were not yet considered to require secondary education. A new attitude had to evolve.
By ‘Fate’ or coincidence the school—house fire enforced a fresh approach into the new century and a replacement compatible with the times was mandatory.
