Formally established in March 1919 in what is now the Municipality of North Norfolk, named for Sir Arthur Currie, commander of Canadian Forces during the First World War, Currie School was duly constructed on three acres of land on the northeast quarter of 25-10-10 west of the Principal Meridian, that had been purchased for $120. Opened in April 1920, the first teacher was Miss Jean Turnbull, hired at a monthly salary of $95. The school served as an educational and social centre for the community until 1965 when it closed and and students were bused to Rossendale Consolidated School No. 2419. A monument commemorating the former school was dedicated in 1984.
Among the teachers of Currie School were Jean Turnbull (1920-?) and Kenneth S. “Ken” Switzer (1957-1959).
Currie School (no date) by A. B. Fallis
Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs,
GR8461, A0233, C131-3, page 66.
Currie School commemorative monument (September 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Currie School commemorative monument (May 2023)
Source: Arlene JaremaSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87175, W98.68854
denoted by symbol on the map above
One Hundred Years in the History of the Rural Schools of Manitoba: Their Formation, Reorganization and Dissolution (1871-1971) by Mary B. Perfect, MEd thesis, University of Manitoba, April 1978.
Through Fields and Dreams: A History of the Rural Municipality of North Norfolk and MacGregor by The History Book Committee of the North Norfolk-MacGregor Archives, 1998, page 886.
“Celebrating the contributions of rural permit teachers,” The Valley Leader, 3 June 2009.
Manitoba School Records Collection, Currie School District No. 1952 Daily Register, GR3152, Archives of Manitoba.
We thank Sylvia Koshyk, Nathan Kramer, and Arlene Jarema for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 14 September 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!