THE RECORD

September 20, 1995

BACK TO THE EGG

Suzanne Trevis

"Gold River Gets School of Future" That was the headline in February 1966. "One of the most modern and efficient primary schools on the West Coast, and possibly Canada."

It was a new concept in school design and construction, suited to the modern changing needs of both teachers and students. The idea behind clusters was for the teachers to come to the students rather than the other way around, thus eliminating time-wasting and confusing class changes.

The "resource centres" would provide a common site for instructional materials and learning aids as well as private areas for those students needing individual instruction. The entire school complex would have an atmosphere of clean, uncluttered spaciousness.

And if that wasn't enough to attract the best teachers, Gold River was willing to pay the highest public school salaries in Canada, up to $5,600 a year. In addition the school board was prepared to subsidize housing for the new teachers - allowing them to rent, for $75 a month, quarters which cost the board around $130.

Prior to the town site being built (started) in 1965, children living at the head of the Muchalat Inlet attended classes in a little two room school nestled in the shadow of the huge mountains now surrounding the mill.

The small green and white structure housed 30 plus students and two teachers, Mrs. Angela Wallace, a senior grade teacher originating from London, England, and Mrs. Noelene Hughes, a native of New Zealand in charge of the primary grades.

Although not very large and somewhat off the beaten path, both teachers and students alike were proud of the fact that they lacked for nothing. Even so, the new school was welcomed by one and all.

And now, after nearly 30 years, we find ourselves again, anticipating the building of a new school. Ray Watkins has seen a lot of changes over the years, and a lot of good teachers. I, myself started kindergarten there in September 1968 with Mrs. Wagner. (I can still remember sitting on the carpet and singing songs while she played the piano, which if I'm not mistaken is the same one that now resides in the gym)

We watched while what is now Joe Brockenborough Field turned from forest to gravel/mud pit (depending on the season) to playing field. The main entrance moved from Trumpeter Drive to Highway 28, and year after year the "clean uncluttered spaces" between the clusters reverted to swamp as soon as the monsoons hit.

Over the years we must have spent literally days standing in lines in the cold and the wet waiting to get in, and now I find myself, again, waiting in all weather with my own children.

A new school is going to be wonderful. A covered-in school is going to be wonderful! But I'm going to miss the reminders of what was a great, huge chunk of my childhood. I won't be able to show my youngest two "this is where Mommy went to school", which is one of the things I've always liked about Gold River. But, such is the price of progress, and I guess in this case it's not really too much to pay.