The Past
Businesses
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Community Services
Entertainment
Ethnic Groups
Geography
Heritage Homes
Industries
Organizations
People
Schools
~ Ashton Creek
School
~ Enderby
Schools
~ Grindrod School
~ Hupel-Mabel
Lake School
~ Mara
School
~ North
Enderby School
~ Springbend
School
~ Trinity
Creek School
Transportation
Grindrod's
first elementary school was established in 1914. It was a little log building built by the
local men, who worked voluntarily with government help. The men responsible for building
the school were George McEwen, Fred and William Folkard, and John Monk. The early trustees
were: Mr. William Monk, Mr. George McEwen, and Arthur Tomkinson.
In September of that same year the school was opened with an enrollment of 12 students, and the first teacher was Mr. Joseph Grey. The first students included Helen, Susy, Cathy, Nellie, and Billy Monk; Flo Folkard; Sandy and David Wier; Pansy and Bobby Price; Percy and Emily Peacock; Katheleen Morton; Ralph and Eddie Hornell; Margaret Rosoman; and the three Kelty brothers. Subjects taught were Math, Spelling, Writing, History, and Geography. All of the students in the school at this time (grades 4-7) were in one big classroom together. When asked whether or not it was hard to have classes together with the younger and older students, Mrs. Helen Drake replied, "No, they seemed to manage it very well."
As the years went by and the population steadily grew, the little log school became a community center as well. Throughout the week classes were held, all grades to grade 7. Fridays, however, were special days. School was dismissed at 12:00 and work began to get the school ready for the dance on Saturday. The desks were cleared, and after the dance the desks were put back in order for Sunday School, which was held the next day.
As the population grew, however, the little log school became too small to use. In 1913, a new two-story school was opened, with a furnace and storage space on the ground floor, and a large classroom and a cloakroom on the top floor. The log school remained on the lot, however, and still served to accommodate the community. During the 1920's, it was necessary to add two more rooms on the south side of the building, because more and more settlers were arriving. This school served the community until 1942, when fire destroyed the building and unfortunately all the early records were destroyed as well. The little log school again came into use. Work soon began on building a new school.
In 1943, a third school was built with a full-size basement. However, in the 1960's a problem of overcrowding came about, and in November of 1964, a fourth, and more modern school was built. It added 2 classrooms, a library, office space and a gymnasium. At this time, the school population rose to just over 200.
In 1979 Mr. Nester Bohonos, set up a memorial fund of $25. This was to be given to the top academic and the top math student at Grindrod Elementary. The first prizes were given by Mr. Bohonos himself, in June of 1979.
The final additions to the school were completed in January 1984. All students were now housed under one roof. This was a sad time for many, because the little two-story building which had served the community for many years was torn down. However, it was a happy time for many, when they could finally move into a new, bigger and better building.
Colleen Giesbrecht
ALF School, 1989