Free Time in the Dorm

Here is a story written back in 1992 by a graduate from the 1977 class; as a memory from his time in the school.

“I remember back in the ’70′s, the rule of “no radios” was in place. The spots that guys would hide radios was varied – there are probably  still a few around! The most ingenious I witnessed was rumoured about for weeks, until one day it was revealed to me … two guys had taken it to a new level with a quasi “Hogan’s Heroes” version of things. They mounted a radio underneath the floor of their dorm by accessing the crawlspace under the school. To listen to the radio was equally ingenious, with the condition of the old tile floors at the time, seeing a chip here and half a tile missing there was commonplace. Who would spot a very tiny hole and consider it an earphone jack port?! Brilliant! No need to hide a radio, just keep your earphones in your pocket all the time. Believe it or not, this illegal operation was the direct result of the training ground around us at the time.  To think …

What are your memories of some ingenious activities from your time in the school? Send us your story. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version).

Spring Time Antics

Every Spring, as the weather warmed up, students began to leave the confines of the school buildings and to enjoy time outdoors. Some of the pastimes have become legendary.

From the tradition of the ‘birthday’ boy being thrown into the river at the Manitoba school, to the bridge ‘catwalk’ dares in Alberta; there have been many an adventure that took place in Spring.

Send us your spring time tales of adventure. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version)

Students verse Alumni Lacrosse 2006

Lacrosse in the spring was another tradition at St. John’s. The snow would barely be a memory before the nets were dragged out and the battles were on.

Open House was the favourite venue for a big game against the alumni. The student team would prepare through league games, and the alumni would prepare … well not so much. However, there was always a great turn out, and many battle stories to tell after the game.

Send us your memories of that great game of lacrosse. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your story. Or click on the photo to see a larger version).

Portage practice (circa 1994)

Taking a break from the “personalities” series; this week we remember the spring time ritual of canoe training.

Each spring, after the Easter holiday was over, students would return to school knowing that the canoe training would begin. There would be portage practice – carrying the canoes over the trails around the school through mud and bugs to prepare for the trips ahead of them in June.  Also, practice carrying food boxes was the more individual pursuit. Whichever was involved – many did not look forward to this time of year.

We want to hear your stories – send us your memories of spring time canoe training.  (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story – click on the photo to see a larger version)

Keith McKay (circa 1995)

One more “personality” in our series, Keith McKay also began his St. John’s career as a student at the Manitoba school in 1963. After graduating, Keith attended university and traveled before beginning to work at the school in Alberta first, then at the Manitoba school and finally in 1977 back to Alberta.

Keith was headmaster from 1994- 2000 and again from 2002-2004. He retired from the school in 2006. Through the years at the school, Keith’s enthusiasm launched some of the school’s larger projects; re-construction after our 1992 fire, the new gymnasium and many others. Many will remember that smile and the sparkle in the eye.

Send us your Keith stories. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. click on the picture to see a larger version)

Peter Jackson (circa 1995)

Continuing in our personalities series – we move to memories of “PJ”.  Peter began his career at St. John’s as a student at the Manitoba school in the 1960′s.  He returned to work at the school in the early seventies, and was transferred to the Alberta school in 1975. Here he was headmaster from 1982 – 1994.

Many will remember Peter’s “headmaster’s runs”, his paddling style and the many outdoor adventures. Peter continues to work for the school as our administrator as we establish the legacy fund.

We want to hear your PJ stories. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version)

Keith Bennett (circa 1970)

Keith Bennett, the second headmaster at the Alberta school (1970-75), is the focus of our fourth “personalities” feature. Keith began his career at St. John’s in the early days of the part-time school in Manitoba, and is considered one of the founding members of the St. John’s schools. He taught at the Manitoba school until the late 1960′s, and in 1970 became the headmaster in Alberta.

Many students and staff will remember Keith for his talent and love of music. “Boys who had Keith as their teacher after lunch knew if they could get him sitting at the piano in the lunch break, they’d get a free period to get caught up on homework.” (Quote from our history book)

Send us your memories of Keith. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version)

David Thompson (circa 1967)

Continuing with our personalities feature, the first Headmaster at the Alberta school was Dave Thompson, from 1968 – 1970. Prior to his transfer to Alberta, Dave worked at the Manitoba school for two years. He arrived in Alberta in 1967, to work with parents and supporters of the St. John’s school in Manitoba, who wanted their sons to attend a school on their home province.

This was a huge undertaking – and little less than a miracle, that this small group was able to have the doors to our new school open in September of 1968. Much of this work fell on Dave’s shoulders. The memories of this era are the memories of the pioneer students and staff. There would have been many growing pains – all part of the adventure.

Send us your memories of Dave whether from his time in Manitoba or of the early years in Alberta. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your story. Click on the picture to see a larger version)

Father Sargeant circa 1969

In the second part of our “personalities” series, we re-visit our memories of Father Sargeant. Sog, as he was fondly nicknamed by the students and eventually by staff as well, taught at both the Manitoba and Alberta schools for many years. He influenced the lives of a great number of  young men over that time; especially with regard to their use of  grammar!

Father Sargeant passed away in September of 1991 while out horseback riding near his home in Regina. For some alumni this may seem out of character for the man they remember. But he was an adventurer to the end.

Here is a sample of a memory of Father Sargeant written by a former student:

“I’ll never forget the passion with which Father Seargent would conjugate the verb “to be” in french, chalk practically exploding against the board under the kung fu grip…only to be followed with him spinning from the blackboard with ninja-like stealth and pelting the poor sap who wasn’t paying attention smack in the forehead. I also remember the legendary handshake that could’ve put Andre the Giant to his knees.
I also remember his words of encouragement and sometimes profound wisdom that happened to come at just the right time when I needed a little boost or some support that didn’t fall into any curriculum.”

Send us your memories of Father Sargeant – we want to use these in our history book. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version.)

Dave Neelands circa 1979

Several months back we featured Dave Neelands in our Memory Monday post, and generated some great memories from alumni and former staff.

When I came across this picture, while working on the “Mile Stones” chapter of our history book, I thought; we need some more “Dave stories” for our book.

For the next few Mondays we will be featuring some of our former staff – to fill in the “personalities”  section of the history book. We look forward to reading your best memories of these characters.

(Click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version)