ODSS Celebrated 125 years on Oct 3, 2009
ORANGEVILLE DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL
Quasquicentennial Celebration
The Orangeville high school had a very modest beginning in 1870 with a handful of students meeting in a little stone cottage on Second Street. Under the leadership of Principal Alexander Steele and a teaching staff of four (including for a brief time Archibald Lampman, one of Canada’s Confederation poets), the number of students gradually increased until it became necessary in 1884 to open a more spacious and modern school.
A site was selected on the gentle slope to the north of town and a state-of-the-art building was erected with what was thought at the time to be enough room to spare for the 150 students then in attendance. The Harrison steam radiators used to heat the building added to its image as one of the most modern schools in the province.
Principal Steele continued in his post until his retirement in 1914, overseeing the addition of a new wing in 1892 and an enrolment of 180 students.
However, in 1948 a disastrous fire completely gutted the building and after a three-year sojourn in local churches, a new structure was officially opened in 1951. Over the next thirty-five years, the population increased to a teaching staff of 94 and 1800 students, reaching an all-time high of 2200 in 1998 until its sister school, Westside Secondary, opened its doors.
Leslie Godfrey, adapted from material by Sidney J. Dickens (Orangeville Banner)
Today Orangeville District Secondary School is a diverse composite school with almost 1600 students, 133 teaching and support staff and a proud legacy of achievement. Its alumni include Olympic athletes, national journalists, Hollywood computer animators and a Northwest passage historian. Above all, ODSS continues to be a vital link between the rural roots of Dufferin County and the multicultural face of our future.
On October 3, 2009, we are delighted to be celebrating 125 years of teaching and learning excellence.
Mens Sana in Corpore Sano – a healthy mind in a healthy body…
COME HOME TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL!
Orangeville District Secondary School is celebrating its 125th anniversary on Saturday, October 3, 2009! All former staff and students are invited to attend a reunion at the school. The doors will be open at 10 a.m. for tours and special events, including a Victorian tea at 2 p.m. followed by the opening of the Centennial time capsule and the unveiling of our new Wall of Fame. Please be a part of our party, and invite everyone you know with a connection to ODSS to join us as well. YOU are what will make this day really special!
Stay tuned to www.ugdsb.ca/odss or www.odssreunions.com for more info in early May. Commemorative lithographs, sweats, t’s and scarves will be available for purchase soon…
Schedule of Events
Open House, 10-5
10–11 Coffee
11:30–1 BBQ and the ODSS Jazz Band
Official Dedication Ceremony, Wall of Fame
Inductions and
ceremonial tree planting
2 Tea at Two
3 Opening of the 1984 Centennial Time Capsule +
dedication of the 2009 Quasquicentennial Time Capsule
Unveiling of the Wall of Fame + the 125 student mural
1–5 Social drop-in (licensed bar) at Tony Rose
sponsored by the Orangeville Kinsmen
6 Dinner (prepaid reservation only) at Tony Rose,
catered by The Mad Hatter and hosted by the Kinsmen
7:30 Dance to music by our popular
ODSS Teacher Band
+ special guests
Reunite with your classmates and teachers.
Enjoy historical displays and our digital archive.
Record your own memories @ Speakers Corner.
Have your picture taken with friends.
Take home an artist’s lithograph, a t-shirt, a mug, a DVD or your very own NGWEDWE.
In short, have a WONDERFUL TIME!