Reeve Jim Broomhead urges Chapleau Public School graduates of 1960 to consider careers in new fields of endeavour

Jim Broomhead

Reeve D.J. 'Jim' Broomhead urged Chapleau Public School Grade 8 graduates of 1960 to think beyond high school to successful careers in many fields of endeavor in a changing society.

Speaking at the Grade 8 graduation banquet sponsored by the Chapleau Home and School Association in the Renison Hall of St. John's Anglican Church, Mr. Broomhead wondered if the students had thought of possible careers.

He noted tongue in cheek there was a time when "parents promised a little session in the wood shed if students did not go on to high school."

Now though, education had changed and it was for the better that students continued to high school for themselves, the community and Canada, the reeve who had attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High schools said. New subjects were now being added to the high school curriculum.

"I wonder if you have thought of what you will do after leaving high school," he queried, calling attention to many fields of endeavor, including some in Chapleau.

"The way pupils apply themselves will determine where Canada will stand among the nations of the world. Opportunities right now are unlimited for students with vision."

Mr. Broomhead also congratulated the home and school association as a "vital factor" in ensuring student success. It creates good will between the school and home, he said, according to a Sudbury Star report.

In 1960, C.B. Greenlaw was the president of the home and school association. Foy Wright, who had succeeded J.M. 'Jack' Shoup as principal in 1958, welcomed everyone to the banquet while Grade 8 student Betty Ann Bertrand extended thanks on behalf of the graduates.

As an aside, Mr. Broomhead could have been making the same observations today to students in a society where change is the only constant.

Mr. Broomhead later became a member of the school board that was instrumental in getting the "new" Chapleau High School "on the hill" opened in 1966. (My gosh, even though I attended the "old" high school on Pine Street as a student, I am still referring to the school on the hill where I taught as "new" -- and it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016.)

Maybe a special reunion is in order for the "new" school?

Thanks to Lawrence 'Larry' Mantle for providing information and photos, and to Danny Mizuguchi for photo collection that included Larry at the 2012 CHS reunion.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

NAMES
Girls in Chapleau Public School Grade 8 class 1960: Back from left Cheryl Byce, Betty Ann Bertrand, Stella Marcil, Sara Warren, Judith Lehtinen, Dorothy Collings. Seated Linda Laframboise, Joan Westerman, Valerie Helm, Leigh Warren, Barbara Paul

Boys in Grade 8 Back George Byce, Terry Principe, Donald Grinton, Raymond Roffey, John Murray, George Hamilton, William Way-White. Seated Denis Curry, Lawrence Mantle, James Bromley, Robert McEachren, Bryan Corston. Sbsent were Peter Dowsley, George Martin, Robert Rear.