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Roden Public School, @1922
Photo and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted March, 2011
At Roden Public School Junior on Hiawatha Road at Fairford Avenue a plaque, in a hallway outside the main office, tells us this about the school:
Coordinates: 43.673730 -79.323389 |
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What is now known as Roden School of Toronto had its beginning in November, 1906, in that section of the County of York known as the Midway, a part wedged in between Greenwood Ave. and the Kingston Road.
Norway School being the only school in the district, and full to overflowing, the trustees Mr. J. Brown, Mr. James Jackson and Mr. Samuel Wilson, secured the lecture-room of the new Rhodes Avenue Presbyterian (now United) Church as a temporary accommodation for the overflow, with Mrs. E. Whittaker as teacher.
In May 1907 a four-roomed building, which was then deemed to be adequate for all future needs, was started and formally opened in April 1908 with Mrs. E. Whittaker as principal and Misses Snell and McColl as assistants.
In 1910 that section became annexed to the city when Mr. Whiting became its principal followed by Mr. L.K. Fallis in May of the same year.
Another plaque at this location
Roden Public School Junior
Related webpage
Roden Junior Public School
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Schools
Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted February 8, 2014
Good Day. I was never a student at Roden School, but I grew up on Ashdale Ave. Between 67 till 70. I spent all my time as a kid at Roden playing baseball (and an old game called Burbee) and ball hockey in both the boys side and the girls. As a 10 yr old, we would play burbee on the girls side between the buildings and would always hit balls on the roof. I remember as a 10 yr old I used to climb up on the roof, once a week or so and get them all back and then some. We used to use the brick that stuck out of the side of the building like a ladder and climb it like Spiderman. When I got to the top, I would use the evestrough and pull myself up and over on to the roof. Yup, pretty stupid or brave as a snotty ass kid back then. One day we were chased off by the janitor. In the rush of being caught, I fell 40 ft. that day. I fell and hit the phone wires on the way down, which helped and broke my fall from coming directly down, which definitely would have killed me. So, I survived, which I shouldn't have, with everything broken on my left side, ankle, leg, hip and a bunch of ribs. Spent the whole summer at East General Hospital. I grew up after that, as a normal kid, everything healed okay and I played ball and hockey growing up just like all the rest of the kids. I'm 55 now with a 8 yr old son and live in Peterborough.
The reason I'm writing this piece is I was talking to a friend, whom I haven't talk to in over 40 yrs. We said we haven't talked since the days playing at Roden School. Brought back a lot of good memories. I was wondering if anyone out there remembers this incident. I would love to hear from someone who might even have pictures of the old school. I would really appreciate some feed back from someone, thanks. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Thanks for listening and hope to hear from you.
John Pee Wee Avery
Peterborough, ON
> Posted March 6, 2012
I was in kindergarten in 1966. We used to live on Craven Rd., and as a five year old, I thought the walk to school took forever! The school I remember was the picture of the old one. Girls and boys had separate entrances, and the youngest always went in first after the handbell to line up was rung.
Betty Bremner
> Posted December 14, 2011
I was a student 1976 to 1979. I did a photo shoot for a cook book with girls. I'm looking for that book.
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