In 2005 the G.C.V.I. Alumni began the process of obtaining a Coat of Arms for the school.  The Armorial Bearings of The Guelph Collegiate-Vocational Institute was unveiled in 2007.  The original concept of the G.C.V.I. Coat of Arms by Darrel Kennedy (GCVI class of ‘65) Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, delivered the proclamation.  The grant of Arms, Supporters, Flags and Badge is framed and displayed in the main corridor of GCVI.

Canadian Heraldic Authority
Symbolism of the Armorial Bearings of The Guelph Collegiate-Vocational Institute, Guelph, Ontario
As Granted by Robert Douglas Watt, Chief Herald of Canada on
January 15, 2007 and entered in Volume V, Page 99 of the
Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada

Arms: The shield is divided by a fluctuating line which represents a flame, a symbol traditionally representing the spirit of inspiration for education. The colours red and white in the lower part of the shield are the colours of the City of Guelph.

The primary charge is a depiction of the school’s main entrance with its door open. It represents the invitation to engage in the opportunities that come from education, and is related to the motto. The bell within the stone arch and the arch itself represent previous historical buildings now incorporated into the present site’s main edifice. The arch became part of a ceremonial entrance way to the school’s auditorium, and the bell is rung on special ceremonial occasions. The repetition of the triangular charge three times in chief, akin to the Scottish custom of the chief of clan wearing three feathers, emphasizes that the school was designated as the chief school of the county.

Crest: The maple leaves come from the monogrammed device in use since the 1920’s. The horse alludes to the one on the front of the school entrance. It holds a red poppy alluding to the city’s name as part of the school’s name, the city sometimes being known as “The Poppy City,” alluding to John McCrae, an alumnus of the school, author of “In Flanders Fields.”

Motto: This means “Here the field lies open to all talents.”

Supporters: The unicorn represents ideas of Scotland and royalty, two being found as supporters of the arms of the King of Scotland. Its mythical characteristics of virtue and purity are inspirations and strengths for an educational body battling against its natural foe, ignorance. The emblems at their neck mark these unicorns as being specific to the school, showing the monogrammed disc bearing the letters GCVI. The Guelph limestone of the compartment is a type which naturally occurs in the Guelph area, and has been used to build many buildings from the 1840’s.

Badge: The triangular charge is based on the device long used by the school, which shows a triangle bearing the letters GCVI and en-signed by a Royal crown. It appears in the school colours of green and white.

Flag for the School: This is the flag for the administration to use on behalf of the school. The school arms appear on the flag, with the supporter bearing the monogrammed disc also.

Flag for the Students’ Council: This is the flag that students organizations might use when they are participating in events. It is in the school colours.

Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter: Ilona Jurkiewicz

Calligrapher: Doris Wionzek