Historic Sites of Manitoba: Alexandra School / Betty Gibson School (701 Twelfth Street, Brandon)

Link to:
Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

Designed by local architect Thomas Sinclair, Alexandra School was built in Brandon along College Avenue, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, in 1906. Completed at a cost of around $34,000, the facility was opened to students on 11 April 1907. It closed in June 1974 and, the next month, the building was demolished. The new Betty Gibson School, named for teacher Betty Margaret Gibson, was erected on its site, receiving students from the former Park School and McLaren School.

Principals

Period	Principal
1906-1909	Jean Hyslop McQueen White (1878-1964)
1909-1912	Edward Adam Lynch (1883-1955)
1912-1913	George Hunter (1873-1952)
1914-1916	Jonas Thorlaksson Jonasson (1890-1978)
1916-1922	Clarence Moore (1884-1977)
1922-1929	Gabriel Richard Rowe (1897-1968)
1930-1935	Wilbur Walter Crosby (1893-1941)
1935-1965	William Arthur Wood (?-1978)
1965-1974	Henry Theodore Nordin (1905-1983)

Vice-Principals

Period	Vice-Principal
1922-1923	Hugh S. Brown (c1901-?)
1923-1928	?
1928-1930	Henry Theodore Nordin (1905-1983)
1930-1942	?
1942-1958	Lily Amelia Harrison (1882-1968)
1958-1961	?
1961-1963	George Pavlin (1928-2004)
1963-1964	Mrs. Lillian Caryk
1964-1965	Robert T. Blair
1965-1966	?
1966-1967	Mrs. P. M. Cairns

Teachers

School Year	Teachers
1906-1907	Spring only: Miss E. Ferguson, Miss J. Grey, Miss M. McGillivray, Miss G. McNabb, Jean Hyslop McQueen
1907-1908	Miss E. Ferguson (grade 2), Miss J. Grey (grade 4), Miss E. McGillivary (grade 1), Miss G. McNabb (grade 3), Jean Hyslop McQueen (grade 5)
1908-1909	Miss Elder (grade 2), Miss Grey (grade 4), Miss McKenzie (grade 5), Miss G. Mcnabb (grade 3), Jean Hyslop McQueen (grade 6), Miss Strome (grade 1)
1909-1910	Miss V. Fawcett (grade 1 Sr.), Miss Grey (grade 4), Edward Adam Lynch (grade 6), Miss McKenzie (grade 5), Miss G. McNabb (grade 3), Caroline Parkinson (grade 2), Miss Strome (grade 1 Jr.)
1910-1911	Vera Fawcett, Miss Jeanie Gray, Miss Gertrude Macnabb, Jessie McKenzie, Annie McManes
1911-1912	Miss V. Fawcett, Miss N. Kelso, Miss E. Lloyd, Miss J. McKenzie, Miss G. McNabb, Miss M. Rogers
1912-1913	Miss Hornibrook (grade 2), Miss Margaret Jonnson (grade 4), Miss Rathwell (grade 2, substitute)
1913-1914	?
1914-1915	?
1915-1916	Miss Clark, Miss V. Faucett, Miss Gilroy, Miss O. Hornibrook, Miss M. Johnston, Jonas Thorlaksson Jonasson, Miss Knowlton, Miss B. Pilling, Miss Potter, Miss Skynner, Miss M. Struthers
1916-1917	?
1917-1918	?
1918-1919	Miss V. Fawcett, Miss Hornibrook, Miss Johnston, Miss Lauders, Miss Matheson, Miss Bertha Pilling, Miss N. Pilling, Miss Potter, Miss E. Rathwell, Miss M. Rathwell, Miss Struthers
1919-1920	Miss Nora Pilling (grade 6), Miss Edith Riesberry (grade 5), Miss Struthers (grade 2), ?
1920-1921	Miss Jean Pickett (grade 6), Miss Vivian Tucket (grade 2), ?
1921-1922	(12 classrooms) Miss Madge Struthers (grade s1-2), Miss R. Caffrey (grades 3-4), Mrs. F. Levins (grade 7), ?
1922-1923	Ella I. Barber, Hugh S. Brown, Mrs. Mary B. Cannon, Catherine M. Fraser, Vera P. Lamont, Eileen Loney, Isabel M. Munro, Gabriel Richard Rowe, M. Lucy Sallans, Mrs. Johan Wilson, Marguerite Wright
1923-1924	Miss F. B. Barclay (grade 1), Mrs. Cannon (grade 7), Miss C. M. Fraser (grade 4), Miss S. E. McConkey (grades 2-3), Cecile H. Mitchell (grade 2), Miss Peddie (grade 3), Miss Pottinger (grade 5), Miss Ross (grade 6), Miss Sallons, (grades 3-4), Miss Stewart (grades 5-6), M. Zetta (beginners)
1924-1925	Miss F. Alexander (beginners & grade 1), Mrs. Mary B. Cannon (grade 7), Miss Doreen Guthrie (grades 4-5), Miss Eva M. Lyons (grades 2-3), Miss Ethel P. Miller (grade 2), Cecile H. Mitchell (beginners amp; grade 1), Miss Hilda Morrison (grade 4), Miss Mabel Muldoon (grades 3-4), Miss E. Pottinger (grade 5), Miss Belle Rose (grades 6-7), Miss Helen Ross (grade 6)
1925-1926	Florine Alexander, Mary B. Cannon, Doreen Guthrie, Ethel Lyons, Ethel P. Miller, Cecile Mitchell, Hilda Morrison, Mabel Muldoon, Elizabeth Pottinger, Belle Rose, Helen Ross
1926-1927	Mrs. Cannon (grades 7-8), Miss Fisher (grades 5-6), Miss Guthrie (grade 1), Miss Lyon (grade 4), Mr. McNeil (grade 6), Miss Miller (grade 2), Miss Mitchell (beginners), Miss Morrison (grade 5), Miss Muldoon (grade 3), Miss Rose (grade 7), Gabriel Richard Rowe (grade 8), Miss Whitney (grades 3-4)
1927-1928	Wilfrid Gatley Booth, Miss E. B. Fisher, Miss D. Guthrie, Miss Mary Harrup, Mrs. Levins, Miss Eva Lyons, Miss C. H. Mitchell, Miss M. H. Morrison, Miss M. M. Muldoon, Miss Hilda Pottinger, Miss Belle Rose, Gabriel Richard Rowe
1928-1929	Junior High Department: Miss Ethel Bridge, Miss Florence Conner, Mrs. F. M. Levins, Gabriel Richard Rowe. Elementary Department: Miss Ella Barber, Miss D. Guthrie, Miss Mary Harrup, Miss Eva Lyons, Miss Cecile Mitchell, Miss M. H. Morrison, Henry Theodore Nordin, Miss Hilda Pottinger
1929-1930	Miss Ethel Bridge, Wilbur Walter Crosby (1930), Miss F. Conner, Miss F. Fraser (substitute), Miss E. Lyons, Miss L. McRae, Henry Theodore Nordin, Miss M. Ram, Gabriel Richard Rowe (1929)
1930-1931	Muriel A. Bowen, Eunice Bullard, Florence Conner, Henry F. Hyson, Mrs. F. M. Levins, Eva Lyons, Cecile Mitchell, Lilian Popkin, Hilda Pottinger, Marjorie Ram, Daisy Rhind
1931-1932	Elementary department: Henry F. Hyson, Dilys Davies, Eva M. Lyons, Daisy Rhind, Elizabeth F. Pottinger, Hilda Pottinger, E. Marjorie Ram, Cecile H. Mitchell. Junior high department: Mrs. F. M. Levins, Florence Conner, Muriel Bowen.
1932-1933	Muriel A. Bowen, F. Conner, Dilys Davies, Henry F. Hyson, F. M. Levins, Eva M. Lyons, Cecile Mitchell, Elizabeth Pottinger, Hilda Pottinger, Marjorie Ram, Daisy Rhind
1933-1934	?
1934-1935	Elementary department: Henry F. Hyson, Miss Isabelle Johnston, Miss Lillian Popkin, Miss Elizabeth Pottinger, Miss Hilda L. Pottinger, Miss Daisy Rhind Junior high department: Miss Muriel A. Bowen, Miss Florence Conner, Miss Edith E. Ward
1935-1936	Elementary department: Miss Nellie Ambrose, Miss Isabelle Johnston, James P. Moore, Miss Lillian Popkin, Miss Elizabeth Pottinger, Miss Daisy Rhind Junior high department: Miss Muriel Bowen, Miss Florence Conner, Miss Edith Ward
1936-1937	Nellie Ambrose, Muriel A. Bowen, Isabelle Johnston, James P. Moore, Lilian E. Popkin, Daisy Rhind, Edith E. Ward, Edythe M. Wood
1937-1938	Miss Nellie Ambrose, Miss Muriel Bowen, Miss Isabelle Johnston, Blake Nash, Miss Lillian Popkin, Miss Daisy Rhind, Miss Edith Ward, Miss Edythe Wood
1938-1939	Miss Nellie Ambrose, Miss Margaret Creighton, Miss Isabelle Johnston, Blake Nash, Miss Lillian Popkin, Miss Daisy Rhind, Miss Edythe Wood
1939-1940	Miss Nellie Ambrose, Miss Isabelle Johnston, Roy B. Lobb, J. Blake Nash, Miss Lilian Popkin, Miss Daisy Rhind, Miss Edythe Wood
1940-1941	Miss Nellie Ambrose, Miss Gwen Boyes, Miss Margaret Collins, Miss Isabelle Johnston, R. Lobb, Miss Daisy Rhind, Miss Alma Skeoch, Miss Edythe Wood
1941-1942	Ellen L. Ambrose, Gwen M. Boyes, Margaret E. Crosbie, Isabelle Johnston, Daisy Rhind, Alma Skeoch, Doris Ward
1942-1943	Miss Ellen Ambrose, Miss Gwen Boyes, Lily Amelia Harrison, Miss Jean Henderson, Miss Isabelle Johnston, Miss Shirley Johnston, Miss Daisy Rhind
1943-1944	Gwen Boyes, Mrs. Carswell, Ivy Cleminshaw, Lily Amelia Harrison, Isabelle Johnston, Grace Nash, Muriel Read
1944-1945	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1945-1946	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1946-1947	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1947-1948	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1948-1949	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1949-1950	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1950-1951	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1951-1952	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1952-1953	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1953-1954	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1954-1955	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1955-1956	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1956-1957	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1957-1958	Lily Amelia Harrison, ?
1958-1959	Mrs. J. Birch (grade 4), Edward Tierney Cantwell (grade 6), Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), Miss J. Champ (grade 1), Miss J. M. Cook (grade 5), R. Derby (grade 5), Miss M. Doak (grade 5), Mrs. H. Gibbons (grade 4), Mrs. Phyllis Jamieson (grade 2), Mrs. E. Richardson (grade 2), Mrs. I. Shobrooke (grade 1), Mrs. D. Sturgess (grade 2), Miss M. Thompson (grade 3), Mrs. M. Wakefield (grade 1), Miss R. West (grade 4), William Arthur Wood (grade 6)
1959-1960	Miss V. Brown, Mrs. D. Carswell, Mrs. L. Caryk, Miss J. Champ, Miss M. Doak, Miss L. Ferguson, Mrs. H. Gibbons, Miss L. Lewko, Colin Mailer, Miss C. McDonald, Mrs. M. Neill, Mrs. E. Richardson, Mrs. D. Sumner, Miss M. Thompson
1960-1961	Mrs. D. Bateman (grade 4), Miss P. Breen (grade 1), Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), Miss M. Doak (grade 5), Mrs. C. Lenover (grade 1), Miss L. Lewko (grade 4), Colin Mailer (grade 6), Miss C. McDonald (grade 2), J. McFayden (grade 7), Mrs. R. Moreland (grade 5), Miss P. Pye (grade 2), Mrs. E. Sumner (grade 4), Miss M. Thompson (grade 3), William Arthur Wood (grade 6)
1961-1962	Mrs. M. Carey (grade 4), Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), Mrs. E. Denbow (grade 1), Miss M. Doak (grade 5), Mrs. A. Douglas (grade 5), Miss P. Pye (grade 2), Miss C. McDonald (grade 2), Mrs. R. Moreland (grade 5), Mrs. P. Reid (grade 4), Mrs. E. Richardson (grade 1), F. Sturm (grade 6), Miss M. Thompson (grade 3), William Arthur Wood (grade 6), Mrs. I. Zeidler (grade 1)
1962-1963	Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), T. S. Carter (grade 6), Mrs. L. Dechka (grade 5), Mrs. E. Denbow (grade 1), Miss E. Foster (grade 2), Mrs. E. Hatch (grade 5), Mrs. M. I. Kennedy (special classes), Miss P. Pye (grade 2), Mrs. E. J. Richardson (grade 1), Miss M. Rome (grade 4), Miss C. L. Sirett (grade 4), Miss M. Thompson (grade 3), William Arthur Wood (grade 6)
1963-1964	Mrs. D. Carswell, T. S. Carter, Mrs. M. J. Dudding, E. M. Fedak, Mrs. M. I. Kennedy, Miss R. E. Levenick, Mrs. V. M. Olenick, Mrs. E. J. Richardson, Miss L. J. Rogers, Miss C. L. Sirett, Miss H. A. Smith
1964-1965	Mrs. D. Carswell, Mrs. M. J. Dudding, B. A. Josephson, Mrs. M. I. Kennedy, Mrs. L. J. Keown, Miss J. M. Newman, Mrs. V. M. Olenick, Mrs. D. C. Pawluk (kindergarten), Mrs. E. J. Richardson, Miss B. D. Sigurdson, Miss H. A. Smith (kindergarten), Miss L. J. Taylor
1965-1966	Mrs. M. J. Dudding, Mrs. A. E. Hadderty, B. A. Josephson, Mrs. M. I. Kennedy, Miss R. E. Levenick, Mrs. V. M. Olenick, Mrs. M. I. Parkhurst (kindergarten), Mrs. D. C. Pawluck (kindergarten), Mrs. E. J. Richardson, Mrs. I. Shobrooke
1966-1967	Miss D. M. Bezo (grade 6), Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), Mrs. L. A. Green (grade 2), Mrs. A. E. Haggerty (grade 5), Brian Josephson (grade 5), Mrs. M. E. Kreshewski (special classes), Henry Theodore Nordin (grade 6), Mrs. D. C. Pawluck (kindergarten), Mrs. E. J. Richardson (grade 1), Miss E. K. Riddle (grade 1), Mrs. T. Roth (grade 2), Mrs. M. Speers (grade 4), Mrs. E. M. Thornton (grade 3)
1967-1968	Thomas William “Tommy” Benn (athetics), Miss D. Bezo (grade 6), Mrs. D. Carswell (grade 3), Mrs. D. Dagg (kindergarten), Mrs. M. Garton (grade 6), Mrs. L. Green (grade 2), Mrs. A. Haggerty (grade 5), Mrs. G. Haitsma (grade 1), Mr. B. Josephson (grade 5), Mrs. K. Kreshewski (special), Mrs. E. Richardson (grade 1), Mrs. T. Roth (grade 2), Mrs. M. Speers (grade 4), Hilt L. Stewart, Mrs. E. Thornton (grade 3)
1968-1969	?
1969-1970	?
1970-1971	?
1971-1972	?
1972-1973	?
1973-1974	?

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of Alexandra School (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2013-0177 Alexandra School (circa 1908) Source: Education Department Report, 1908, Manitoba Legislative Library. Alexandra School (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs, GR8461, A0233, C131-3, page 134. Betty Gibson School (August 2023) Source: Eva Janssen Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.83875, W99.95389 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Betty Margaret Gibson (1911-2001)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Alexandra School (Edmonton Street, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“School Board’s busy season,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 26 July 1906, page 1.

“Board needs more money,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 15 November 1906, page 2.

“The world's news in brief,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 11 April 1907, page 3.

“The City's schools handsome buildings,” Brandon Daily Sun, 20 July 1907, page 4.

“Schools will open Tuesday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1907, page 1.

“Teachers for city schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1908, page 1.

“Public schools were re-opened this morning,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1909, page 1.

“Many changes on the teaching staff,” Brandon Daily Sun, 11 August 1910, page 1.

“The city schools will re-open Friday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1911, page 1.

“Public schools opened today,” Brandon Daily Sun, 3 September 1912, page 1.

“Prepare for opening of the city schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 11 August 1915, page 1.

“Public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1918, page 6.

“Changes in the teaching staff public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 2 September 1919, page 1.

“Schools open this morning for fall term,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1920, page 1.

“Many changes in teaching staff public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1921, page 7.

“Teaching staff Brandon schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 5 September 1922, page 10.

“Have full staff of teachers for public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1923, page 1.

“Promotions list,” Brandon Daily Sun, 7 July 1924, pages 3 & 5.

“Promotions list,” Brandon Daily Sun, 10 July 1925, page 8.

“Teaching staff complete for school opening,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1926, page 6.

“Public schools and collegiate open tomorrow,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1927, page 1.

“Temporary accommodation for higher grades,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1928, page 6.

“School activities and recent events in school circles,” Brandon Daily Sun, 19 November 1929, page 5.

“Leaving Brandon,” Brandon Daily Sun, 20 December 1929, page 8.

“Farewell to G. R. Rowe,” Brandon Daily Sun, 21 December 1929, page 5.

“City schools to re-open Friday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 2 January 1930, page 1.

“List of teachers public school,” Brandon Daily Sun, 1 September 1930.

“All schools to open Monday for fall term here,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1931.

“One addition only to city schools staff,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1932.

“Some changes on teaching staff of public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1934.

“Schools to open Tuesday for fall term in city,” Brandon Daily Sun, 31 August 1935.

“Few changes in teaching staff as all schools in city open Monday morning,” Brandon Daily Sun, 29 August 1936.

“Five new teachers on staff of Brandon schools for fall term commencing next week,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1937.

“Teaching staff public school,” Brandon Daily Sun, 30 August 1938.

“Schools staff public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 2 September 1939.

“Seven changes on teaching staff of the public schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 September 1940.

“Important changes made in teaching staff for opening schools here Tuesday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 27 August 1941.

“Elementary and junior high schools open tomorrow for fall term after long holidays,” Brandon Daily Sun, 26 August 1942.

“Eleven new teachers on staff as schools prepare to open for fall term commencing Monday,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 August 1943.

“Back to school Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 29 August 1958, page 3.

“Brandon school teachers for 1959-60,” Brandon Sun, 29 August 1959, page 2.

“6,000 Brandon students go back to work on Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 3 September 1960, page 12.

“Teachers listed for opening of schools on Tuesday,” Brandon Sun, 2 September 1961, page 12.

“Teachers are assigned to schools,” Brandon Daily Sun, 28 August 1962, page 10.

“33 newcomers on elementary schools staff,” Brandon Sun, 21 August 1963, page 15.

“39 newcomers on elementary staff,” Brandon Sun, 19 August 1964, page 13.

“191 teachers placed here,” Brandon Sun, 20 August 1965, page 8.

“Over 200 elementary teachers,”Brandon Sun, 23 August 1966, page 16.

Brandon Elementary Schools, 1867-1979, Canada-Confederation, Brandon School Division, 1967.

“City landmark coming down,” Brandon Sun, 23 July 1974, page 1.

“Thirty years ago,” Brandon Sun, 13 November 2005, page 6.

Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.

We thank Bobbi Jo Panciera, Greg Sigurdson, Catherine Harley, and Eva Janssen for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 31 August 2023

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