Chapleau High School at turning point in its history in 1961-62 as enrolment jumped significantly, new course added

Merrick Goldstein 1960s

Chapleau High School took its first small step towards bilingualism - French and English - in the 1961-62 school year with the arrival of Luther Emerson as principal.

Susan Cecile, a Grade 13 student, who wrote a column in the short lived Chapleau Press explained that students who had graduated from the bilingual program at the separate school would be able to take "advanced French instead of the ordinary elementary French", in Grade 9. Plans were to continue it through to Grade 13 for these students.

At that time there were no plans to offer other courses in French, but it was the start of courses for those who spoke French as a first language.

Interestingly, Susan points out that enrolment has jumped to 201 as compared to 136 in the previous year. There were three Grade 9 classes, two Grade 10 and one each for Grades 11, 12 and 13.

Innocents John Murray, Jim Anderson, Peter Simpson Frank Bignucolo

For those who started at CHS in 1961-62, you may recall the teachers who were Mr. Emerson, Jean Hattie, Sheila Kingston, Raymond Achurch, Yvon Charbonneau, Marcel Gelinas, Clement Miron, Gladys Bowles, and George Evans in his first year at the school.

Susan commented: "We have found our new teachers enthusiastic, cooperative and just plain terrific".


Susan noted the importance of physical education courses, which were compulsory from grades 9 to 12, with two qualified teachers -- Mr. Gelinas and Miss Kingston. Activities would be held on the playing field and in the "cellar gym".

A skating rink was planned behind the school while there was also a school bowling league with games scheduled once a week at the YMCA lanes.  The fee for students was $2.00 a month.

Curling was also popular with 16 teams competing at the Pine Street curling rink after school on weekdays. Playoffs were planned for the end of the season.

Religious instruction classes were held weekly conducted by Father R. Marchand of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church and Rev. M.A. McBride of Trinity United Church.

To mark the start of the school year, Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion dedicated a new flag and flagpole in front of the school, according to the Sudbury Star.

Gerry Boucher

Legion member Ken Encil headed a team which erected the flagpole. The dedication ceremonies were conducted by branch president Herbert Doig assisted by Scotty Welch. The flag was raised by Wilfred Simpson.

The occasion was also an opportunity to present awards to four members of 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps for proficiency in Morse Code training while at Camp Ipperwash. They were Wayne Midkiff, K. Knorz, Danny Mizuguchi and Edward Beynon, who won an additional award for work at Camp Borden.

The 1961-62 year at CHS marked a turning point in the history of secondary school education in Chapleau in more ways than one, but that is a story for another day,  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos from Lark Ritchie collection