On August 12, 1952, I assumed my first employment as a teacher in Gowan Brae School with an initial enrolment of 32 students - eight of whom were registered for grades IX and X. However, six of those chose to go to Souris High School, St. Mary's Convent and St. Peters High School. School began in August in those days to allow for a two-week break in October when the children assisted with the potato harvest.

It was an enjoyable year and one which gave me many precious memories which I treasure 40 years later. I walked back and forth to my job a distance of about two miles -and, when wInter set in, I boarded with a delightful older couple, Bill and Gattie Howlett, who lived close by.

They had a large old home and it occupied another family, their son Abdin, his wIfe Irene and their four children. Abdin was secretary of the school district which had three trustees: John MacGillivray, Edward Mallard and Charles S. MacDonald. There was a tremendous pride and interest in the school. The parents and ratepayers supplied the wood for fuel, and were always interested in the welf are of the school. The Women's Institute was very active too, and invited the teacher to attend all their meetings.

I really enjoyed teaching in the one-room school. The closeness of the community and the participation from everyone was incredible! I recall Abdin had a pickup truck with side racks and he took all the children to a picnic in May and picked them up and delivered them home afterwards.

We had our annual Christmas Concert on December 23 and the school filled with parents, grandparents and others. Mr. Howlan Mullally offered to be master of ceremonies and I was so very impressed. Two older brothers, William and Fabian Howlett, sang a couple of songs towards the end of the program and, in turn, moved and seconded a hearty vote of thanks to everyone who took part. Santa Claus was a big drawing card and he was a nifty step dancer too!

For what it's worth, I am looking at my attendance sheets on my school register and I note that on the dates April 6 to April 21, there was a high percentage of student absentees through sickness in 1953. Then, just when the students were all healthy enough to return, the teacher became ill for four days. I don't remember whether it was influenza B or not!!

There were no substitute teachers then so the students had an unexpected holiday. In the spring absent students would be home helping get the farming crops started.

I met an eligible bachelor during my first teaching year and we married in 1957. Gowan Brae School was built in 1951 and operated for 15 years before consolidation took place. When that happened, many of those schools went up for sale. Some were purchased for community centres but we decided to submit a tender on it and were successful. Ironically, my first school has been our permanent residence since 1967 and it still has a lot of wonderful 40-year-old memories. When we were renovating, I insisted on leaving one room in its original state with the same window and it still is the best window in the house!

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard