St. Edward's is saying good-bye at the end of June

It's been 64 years since what is now known as St. Edward's Elementary opened its doors as St. Edward's Regional High School on September 3, 1946. Its original structure consisted of four classrooms from Grade 4 to Grade 8 from Placentia and Grades 9,10 and 11 from Jerseyside, Point Verde, Bond's Path and South East. At the time there were two rooms in the front of the school where science and domestics were taught. The old Presentation convent girls school was converted into a typing classroom and music room.

A three-room extension was added to the school in 1956. This structure housed students from Grades 9-11 and was named Sacred Heart High School.

In 1959, there was more construction on the school. The two science rooms were enlarged and two additional classrooms were added to the front of the school.

The new Sacred Heart High School was built in 1962. This is where students from Grades 7-11 came to learn.

When Laval Regional High School was built in 1968, Sacred Heart High School became part of St. Edward's housing Grades 1 - 8.

In 1970 St. Edward's became a primary school housing students from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

When schools in Point Verde, Bond's Path and South East were phased out, St. Edward's Primary became St. Edward's Elementary in 1978.A great deal has happened in 64 years. In the past, many teachers were Catholic nuns and now there are teachers of various religions. Children would participate in Catholic sacraments within the school until schools became non-denomination in the 1990's. Children would also dress in traditional red and green plaid Newfoundland tartan uniforms. If you walked down the halls of St. Edward's today, you would see children without uniforms dressed in all different colors, patterns and fabrics.

St. Edward's Elementary is closing its doors at the end of June. Students will be attending either St. Anne's Academy in Dunville or the new Laval High School in Placentia. A lot of memories were shared in those 64 years. Marina Gambin taught at St. Edwards for 29 years. Gambin had a number of memorable experiences.

"Just imagine having 29 years, a lot of children passed through your hands and I have to say that I remember about 99 per cent of their names. I pride myself in remembering their names."

Gambin taught Grade 1 for most of her career.

"Another thing I remember probably back in the late 60's early 70's when some of the nuns were principals nuns were teaching there and one sister was a music teacher. She had a rhythm band. She played the piano and the little ones kept time with their instruments. They wore little customs; red pillbox hats, red capes and white pants or white skirts. It was really cute."

Gambin recalls how St. Edwards always had a lot of sports days.

"At that time parents didn't come with you; just a couple of teachers, the bus driver and 60 children. We didn't realize the dangers and responsibilities then that they do now. You had your skipping ropes tied together and they all had to hold it when they got off the bus in St. John's."

Gambin started working at St. Edwards Elementary in 1966. She says that she will always remember her time at the school.

"What a marvelous bunch of teachers I worked with. Whenever I run into them whenever it is we love to reminisce. I really miss them as well as I missed the children too," Gambin concluded.

editor@thecharter.ca