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The Glenwood School District No. 1537 was established in May 1910 and, two months later, a two-acre school site was purchased for $6,000 from the Monarch Realty Company. Initially estimated to cost around $20,000 (not including supplies and furnishings), a single-storey, four-classroom structure was designed by architect Samuel Hooper and NAME. In September, the contract was awarded to Joseph Hector Tremblay and, by the time that construction was completed, an additional $10,000 was needed to cover cost overruns.
The school opened on 25 April 1911 with some 100 school-age children attending classes. Its capacity was expanded in 1913, at the cost of $30,000, with a second storey that brought the classroom total to eight, as well as an assembly hall that could be turned into two classrooms with the aid of a large, retractable divider. With the onset of the First World War, the school playground was plowed for the growing of vegetables. By 1915, the school population stood at 275 students, increasing to 300 by 1916. Fire safety systems were installed in the summer of 1916.
The school struggled to keep pace with local population growth. By 1921, some students had to be transferred to other schools. Conversion of the old Municipal Hall to classrooms, the holding of classes at night, and double-shifting teachers were all options that were considered. In June 1921, local ratepayers approved the expenditure of another $60,000 for improvements to the school. In 1922, Windsor School was opened within the south of the district to help meet capacity requirements followed in 1927 with the conversion of the former St. Vital Municipal Hall as Fernwood School. The Fort Garry Construction Company was hired to build more classrooms while the School District partnered with the neighbouring Woodlawn School District No. 1499 to create a joint High School Department (later known as Norberry Collegiate Department, eventually becoming the Glenlawn Collegiate) in 1925.
A joint High School / Collegiate Institute for grades 8 to 11 was established at Norberry School in the Woodlawn School District, and a cost-sharing structure was part of the agreement. Previously, students wanting to pursue collegiate education had to go to Kelvin Technical High School in Winnipeg or Provencher School in St. Boniface.
In 1928, a large expansion measuring 64 feet by 64 feet increased the school’s capacity by eight classrooms, bringing the total to 18. Designed by architect Alexander D. Melville and built at a cost of $61,000 by the Malcom Construction Company, an opening ceremony for the new facility on 11 January 1929 was attended by 500 people including Deputy Minster of Education Robert Fletcher, School Board Chair F. L. Nichols, Municipal Supervisor William Clarke McKinnell, St. Vital Reeve Leoni St. Clairze “Leo” Warde, Arthur Alexander Leach of Windsor School, former St. Vital Reeve Alexander Tod, and school board trustee T. T. Walker.
In 1928, a large expansion, measuring 64 feet by 64 feet, was designed by local architect Alexander D. Melville and built by the Malcom Construction Company at a cost of $61,000. It increased the school’s capacity by eight classrooms, bringing the total to 18. An opening ceremony for the new facility on 11 January 1929 was attended by 500 people including Deputy Minster of Education Robert Fletcher, School Board Chair F. L. Nichols, Municipal Supervisor William Clarke McKinnell, St. Vital Reeve Leoni St. Clairze “Leo” Warde, Arthur Alexander Leach of Windsor School, former St. Vital Reeve Alexander Tod, and school board trustee T. T. Walker.
In November 1929, the Glenwood School District was amalgamated with the Woodlawn School District No. 1499. Despite the sizable boost in student capacity, the new district required additional, temporary classrooms within a year, and also used the basement and hallways to handle the increase in enrollment.
A new and separate five-classroom section, designed by the architectural firm of Smith Carter and Katelnikoff, was added to the school in 1954. Two years later, a further six classrooms and a gymnasium were erected. An underground tunnel was also constructed, connecting the old and new sections of the school. The grade range was also expanded from elementary to include junior high. In 1990, the school was renamed Ecole Glenwood, though it later reverted to the original name.
Some noteworthy persons who attended Glenwood School were Victor H. L. Wyatt, George Whicker, Ida Fenwick, Mrs. Dorothy Connery, and Mrs. Phyllis Savage.
Period
Principal
1911-1914
Joseph Henry Peadon (1860-1923)
1914-1930
Frederick Leopold Johnston (1884-1961)
1930-1938
?
1938-1940
Sydney Crookes (1899-1986)
1940-1950
Frederick Leopold Johnston (1884-1961)
1950-1951
?
1951-1958
Arthur Alexander Leach (1915-2000)
1958-1963
David Alexander “Dave” Downie (1921-2014)
1963-1978
Peter Drosdowech (1927-2015)
1978-1980
Walter Klymkiw (1926-2000)
1980-1990
?
1990-?
Susanne McKenzie
c2001
Tim Watters
c2003
Claire Maxwell
Period
Vice-Principal
1972-1973
Mr. Christie
School Year
Teachers
1911
(April-June only): Isabelle McDougall (junior grades), Joseph Henry Peadon (senior grades)
1911-1912
Isabelle McDougall, Joseph Henry Peadon (senior grades), Clara Katherine Smith
1912-1913
Isabelle McDougall, Joseph Henry Peadon (senior grades), Clara Katherine Smith, Myrtle Spencer
1913-1914
Isabelle McDougall, Joseph Henry Peadon (senior grades), Clara Katherine Smith, Myrtle Spencer, Jean Steel (January-June)
1914-1915
Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 5-8), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Clara Katherine Smith (grades 1-2), Myrtle Spencer (grades 2-3), Jean Steel (grades 4-5)
1915-1916
Vera Anna Douglass (grades 3-4), Kathleen G. Gunn (grades 2-3), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 6-8), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Anna Robertson (grades 4-5)
1916-1917
Vera Anna Douglass (grade 3), Kathleen G. Gunn (grades 2-3), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 6-9), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Anna Robertson (grades 4-5)
1917-1918
Vera Anna Douglass (grades 3-4), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 6-8), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Anna Robertson (grades 4-5), Bessie S. Smith (grades 2-3)
1918-1919
Vera Anna Douglass (grades 3-4), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 6-8), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Anna Robertson (grades 4-5), Bessie S. Smith (grades 2-3)
1919-1920
Gladys A. Blow (grade 2), Hazel Irene Coleman (grade 4), Isabel M. Coles (grade 3), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 7-8), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1), Anna Robertson (grades 5-6)
1920-1921
Gladys A. Blow (grade 2), Winnifred M. Church (grade 5), Hazel Irene Coleman (grade 4), Isabel M. Coles (grades 6-7), Margaret L. Grant (grade 3), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 7-8), Edith Leckie (grade 1), Isabelle McDougall (grade 1)
1921-1922
Gladys A. Blow (grade 2), Winnifred M. Church (grade 5), Hazel Irene Coleman (grade 4), Verna V. Gardiner (grade 1), Margaret L. Grant (grade 3), Frederick Leopold Johnston (grades 7-8), Alma Kellington (grade 4), Edith Leckie (grade 1)
1922-1923
?
1923-1924
?
1924-1925
?
1925-1926
Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1926-1927
Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1927-1928
Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1928-1929
Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1929-1930
Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1930-1931
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1931-1932
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1932-1933
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1933-1934
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1934-1935
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1935-1936
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1936-1937
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1937-1938
Isla Florence Ayre, Miss M. Eustace, Miss C. Hurd, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1938-1939
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1939-1940
Isla Florence Ayre, Amy Grace Peadon, ?
1940-1941
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1941-1942
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1942-1943
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1943-1944
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1944-1945
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1945-1946
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1946-1947
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1947-1948
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1948-1949
Isla Florence Ayre, Mathilde Clement, ?
1949-1950
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1950-1951
Isla Florence Ayre, ?
1951-1952
Isla Florence Ayre, James William “Jim” Downey, ?
1952-1953
Isla Florence Ayre, Mrs. Green, ?
1953-1954
Isla Florence Ayre, Edna Jean Beaman, Miss Butler, Miss Clement, Miss Currie (Curry?), Mr. Dalby, Mr. Filion, Mrs. Finlay, Mrs. Green (Greening?), Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Hawn, Mr. Johnson (Johnston?), Miss Kenny (Kinney?), Mrs. Peckover, Miss Ponchon, Mr. Siemens, Miss Vickery, Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1954-1955
?
1955-1956
?
1956-1957
?
1957-1958
?
1958-1959
?
1959-1960
?
1960-1961
?
1961-1962
?
1962-1963
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1), ?
1963-1964
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1964-1965
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1965-1966
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1966-1967
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1967-1968
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1968-1969
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1969-1970
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1970-1971
Edna Jean Beaman (grades 4, 5), Mrs. Boyce (gym), Mrs. Butler (grade 5), Mr. Ferniuk (grades 7, 8, 9), Mrs. French (French), Mrs. Gobeil (grade 5), Mrs. Graham (grade 3), Mrs. Isaac (music), Mr. Lei (grade 6), Mrs. Lewko (grade 6), Mrs. Mattrick (grade 4), Mrs. Miller (grades 8, 9), Mrs. Peacock (grade 2), Mrs. Peckover (grade 2), Mrs. Ponchon (grade 3), Mr. Smeal (grade 6), Mr. Unger (gym), Mrs. Waters (grade 7), Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett (grade 1)
1971-1972
?
1972-1973
Mrs. Breakey (home economics), Miss Bricknell, Miss Kuiper (art), Miss Lefebvre, Mr. Seepish, Mrs. Smith (home economics), Mr. Suroway (history), Mr. Zegil
Among the other teachers of Glenwood School was Gladys L. Coristine.
Students on the steps of Glenwood School (1916)
Source: Marguerite Wiggins Pate and Christopher Pate
Glenwood School and Playground (circa 1921)
Source: Education Department Report, 1921, Manitoba Legislative Library.
Glenwood School (April 2013)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Glenwood School (May 2018)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Glenwood School (May 2018)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.86514, W97.10761
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Samuel Hooper (1851-1911)
Memorable Manitobans: William Thraves Davis (1882-1954)
Memorable Manitobans: Joseph Hector Tremblay (1878-1917)
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander D. Melville (1873-1949)
Manitoba Business: Malcom Construction
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Glenelm School (96 Carmen Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Norberry School / Glenlawn Collegiate (900 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg)
Manitoba Business: Smith Carter and Katelnikoff / Smith Carter Architects and Engineers / Architecture49
Birth registration [Isla May Florence Ayre], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Annual Reports of the Manitoba Department of Education, Manitoba Legislative Library.
“Glenwood School building,” Manitoba Free Press, 29 October 1910, page 32.
“Money for schools,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 November 1911, page 8.
“Tenders for building,” Manitoba Free Press, 12 June 1913, page 2.
“Enlarging Glenwood School,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 July 1913, page 6.
“St. Vital Glenwood S.D. No. 1537,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 July 1914, page 13.
“School protected against fire,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 September 1916, page 5.
“St. Vital,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 April 1921, page 3.
“Rural Municipality of St. Vital,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 May 1921, page 13.
“St. Vital passes school bylaws,” Manitoba Free Press, 18 June 1921, page 16.
“Glenwood and Woodlawn Districts choose new Boards; new buildings needed,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 July 1921, page 6.
“Home and school building forecasts active season in construction industry,” Manitoba Free Press, 8 April 1922, page 20.
“St. Vital makes record building homes this year,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 October 1922, page 26.
“St. Vital,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 February 1923, page 7.
“St. Vital,” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 Jan 1924, page 6.
“Statements on suburb schools are protested,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 February 1927, page 5.
“School District merger plan delayed month,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 June 1928, page 2.
“St. Vital,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 September 1928, page 24.
“New St. Vital School to be opened Friday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 January 1929, page 3.
“Eight-room addition to school is opened,” Manitoba Free Press, 12 January 1929, page 3.
“Fletcher refuses sanction for new school in St. Vital,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 March 1930, page 3.
“Society,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 June 1938, page 10.
“Mrs. Amy Grace Peadon, former teacher, dies,”Winnipeg Free Press, 24 January 1944, page 2.
“Double funeral set for crash victims,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 August 1949, page 17.
“Notice of tender,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 April 1954, page 42.
“New school, additions for St. Vital,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 June 1954, page 3.
“Golden teas at Glenwood,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 April 1961, page 18.
“Teachers to hold seminar at Souris,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 November 1962, page 49.
“History of St. Vital Schools,” St. Vital Lance, 10 September 1970, page 22. [St. Vital Museum, History of St. Vital Schools file]
Schools’ Centennial Reunion, by the Audio-Visual Centre of the St. Vital School Division No. 6, 1970. [St. Vital Museum, History of St. Vital Schools file]
“St. Vital School Division No. 6,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 June 1971, page 16.
Obituary [Edna Jean Beaman], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 November 1975, page 60.
Obituary [Gladys L. Coristine], Winnipeg Free Press, 1 December 1982, page 22.
“Principals named,” Winnipeg Free Press Weekly South Edition, 18 March 1990, page 4.
Glenlawn Collegiate Institute 75th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet, by the 75th GCI Reunion Committee, 1998. [St. Vital Museum, History of St. Vital Schools file]
“Past and present meet at Seniors School Day,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 March 2001 South Community Review, page 1.
“Kids well schooled in joy of giving,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 December 2003, page A8.
Obituary [Isla Florence Ayre], Winnipeg Free Press, 12 January 2013, page B9.
Obituary [Ellen Elizabeth Wherrett], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 October 2015.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank Christopher Pate, Stephanie Benson, Diane Walker, James Lear, and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 25 August 2023
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