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Memories of St. Michael's Academy
As a child of six starting
to school at St. Michaels’s Academy I remember being awed by the “big place” and those people dressed in
black with a white band across their forehead. I soon learned to call them Sister. In those days discipline
wasn’t a big problem, as we knew who was in charge—Sister and the strap. The Sisters were kind but didn’t
put up with any display of naughtiness. You were on time for school, lined up to go to class, and didn’t talk in class
unless spoken to. You quietly stood when the bell rang and left class in an orderly fashion. The school was an impressive
size with a basement and three flights of stairs. The basement was the gym, play area, lunchroom and also washrooms. It was
here the Sisters always had a nice shrine set up to honour the Saints on their Feast Day.
In the spring the May Pole
would be set up, and it was so pretty when we would dance with the long coloured ribbons. In the fall we had the Fair. This
was a very exciting time, as various booths were set up. The booths would be trimmed with evergreen boughs, and the aroma
permeated the school. I think the fishpond was our favourite. The library, lunchroom and
also basketball room were off the main floor in the basement. The toilets were in large rooms on either end of the gym, one
room for girls and one for boys. First floor contained the Principal’s office, the auditorium and music rooms. The Sisters
taught music, and our Choir Director Miss Moir was also on this floor. We had a nice auditorium where concerts and closings
were held. Our closings were exciting times as we all wore our white midi outfits, pleated skirts and white tops. The auditorium
had a large stage with steps leading up on both ends. Miss Moir would conduct our singing here. If you were not able to sing
you mouthed the words. It was exciting to be on the stage and looking out to see if your parents were in the crowd. The second floor was classrooms
for grades one to eight. Boys and girls were separated once they reached grade six.
Top floor was for High School,
grades nine to twelve girls on one end and Once you reached High School
you wore a uniform. They were black dresses with pleated skirts and a white collar. I liked this, as everyone was dressed
the same, so it didn’t matter that you didn’t have nice clothes. It was thrilling to look out the windows on third
floor. You could see all over town. The large trees looked so beautiful. Playground for boys was at
one end of the school and girls on the other end. Recess was a time to look forward to, as we would gather in the trees at
the bottom of the school yard and listen to one of the girls tell spooky stories. The school was owned and
operated by the Sisters. They had a Convent that was approached from St. Michaels through a tunnel and also led to the hospital.
The sisters also had a farm, garden, and apple orchard. Every St. Michael’s Day students were treated with baskets of
apples.
St. Michael’s
Basilica was also close by, as was the My years at
St. Michael’s were very enjoyable, and I look back on them with fond memories. Last August about 36 people attended the 46th Reunion of Saint
Michael's Academy Class of ‘59 together with their former grade two classmates at the Canadian Legion Branch # 3 in
Miramichi (Chatham), The hall was beautifully decorated in keeping with the reunion
theme, Rock ‘n Roll of the 50’s. The Saturday morning, some energetic members went for a walk at French
Fort Cove, followed by coffee at Tim Horton’s in
Sunday morning began with attending Mass at St. Michael’s Basilica. Cathy (Murdock) Murphy and Anne (Whitty) Kane read. Group photos were taken on the steps of the Alter following Mass. Sunday Brunch was served at the Legion. Jean (Whitty) Corbett
said grace. Guest speaker, Barry McKenzie, spoke on behalf of St. Michael’s Half and half draws and door prizes were drawn all weekend to
help finance the reunion. Thanks everyone for your wonderful support. The Brunch ended our fantastic
On Monday afternoon Joan Cripps (sister-in-law of one and cousin
of another graduate) and Joan Searle hosted a seafood chowder luncheon for the grads. The group sang grace. The daughters
of hostess Joan Cripps served lunch. Following the luncheon there was a gift exchange game, song singing,
tea tasting, poetry reading, and viewing of memorabilia from St. Michael’s. The afternoon ended with Marie Sutcliffe
presenting thank you gifts to the two hostesses. All the gals left for home with fond memories of a great four-day
weekend. Joan
Cripps of |
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