History of the old school
By Helen Blackburn
“Come ye sons of old CCS
Fight for the school we all love the best!”
Those are the first two lines of the Creemore Continuation School (CCS) song. Sadly, CCS is fading quickly from view. It officially began in the fall of 1917, when the big, brick school on Caroline Street was built. The classes were in these rooms on the second storey.
The decline began in 1951 when Grade 13 left for classes in Collingwood. In March 1954, the doors closed forever on Grades 9 to 12, when we all went by bus to the newly built high school in Collingwood.
Now all the doors will be closed for all students this June. But affection for the school runs deep and the happy memories override the struggles we may have had with Latin or algebra, or the panic we experienced when faced with examination questions.
On the whole, we were serious students. The curriculum, unfortunately, was geared for those with academic leanings, but for those students, the program did them well.
The school year began in September with a new crop of Grade 9s, most of whom came from the one-room schools scattered around the countryside. By the middle of September, we were well into practicing for the track and field day. Some of the boys dug the jumping pits and outlined the track lanes with lime.
On the day of the event, we participated in running broad jump, high jump, standing broad jump, high jump, hop, step and jump, 100-yard dashes and some longer runs. There was ball throw for the girls and throw for the hoop. The boys had shot put and pole vault.
The winners met soon after with athletes from Stayner, Elmvale and Thornbury. While I was at CCS, Creemore did very well capturing many of the trophies. It was an exciting day culminating in a dance in the evening.
Halloween brought initiation for the Grade 9s. It seems a little silly now, but at the time, it was fun. Older students dreamed up embarrassing costumes for the initiates to wear. I had to don a pair of men’s underwear, a housecoat, slippers and a tam pulled down over my hair. The boys wore skirts and jewellery, and carried purses. In the evening for the Halloween party, the Grade 9s were blindfolded amd led through various activities that were supposed to be scary. The one I recall best was when I landed on a tarp and about 10 boys flung me up and down. That was fun!
From there on, it was serious work until we had Christmas vacation. But before that happened, we had Christmas exams, which took the fun out of holiday preparations. On the last day, we exchanged gifts, sang carols and enjoyed pieces of fudge made by our teacher, Mrs. Skinkle.
Winter was brightened up with a skating party at Creemore Arena with lunch afterwards at the school. At least one year, we tried to have a dance with music provided by a record player. But the bouncing effect of our feet on the wood floor made the needle jump on the records. Those were the days of the 78 rpm records.
Before Easter, we always had Commencement, which was a combination of graduating and a concert. There were plays, choirs, displays of tumbling and dancing. Of great importance was the valedictory address. Usually, the person chosen was a girl and they wore beautiful evening gowns. Academic awards were given for the previous year, track and field trophies for that year’s meet, and also school rings.
After Easter, there was much practice for the choirs, duets and solos, which would be presented at a music festival in Owen Sound. Mrs. Skinkle was a very capable music director and the group always came home with many awards. I was one of three girls who could not pass the voice test for admission to the choir, so I’m not able to describe the competition day.
Why was this school “the one we all loved the best”? You could ask anyone whom you think could be over 75. You’ll hear hundreds of stories and many reasons for our affection. It was a small school and we got to know one another very well. Deep friendships were formed, which was amply illustrated by the immense crowds that came to our five school reunions. I had such a good time at them that I had to take a week of quiet rest to recover.
It is going to be a sad day on Thursday, June 19 when we formally bid goodbye to the school. Yes, the doors will be locked and the bell will no longer ring, but the love and memories will endure.
