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1906-1907
September, 1906. Rev. W.W. Bolton and J.C.
Barnacle–both of St. Paul's School, Esquimalt–join
forces to establish a new university preparatory school called "University
School". The intentions of the Founders was to establish
a school which shall maintain the best traditions of the English
Public Schools; at the same time keeping in view the special
needs of Colonial life.
1907-1908
R.V. Harvey, Headmaster of Queen's School in
Vancouver, moves his school to Victoria and enters into a partnership
by amalgamating Queen's School with the new University School
in August, 1908.
K.C. Symons arrives in Victoria
and seeks a position in the Public Schools of British Columbia.
He is given a teaching position at Beaver Point on Salt Spring
Island. In November, Kyrle William Symons is
born, though his arrival causes much hardship for his poor parents.
Mr K.C. Symons had to resort to using a wheelbarrow to transport
his pregnant wife to a waiting boat to take them all to the hospital.
Needless to say, K.W. Symons still managed to come into this
world a very healthy boy.
1908-1909
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School House
under construction, October, 1908 (above)
The Honourable Richard W. McBride, Premier of British Columbia,
stands by to lay the cornerstone on the new University
School building on October 7, 1908 (left) |
Foundation Day—October 7, 1908. The cornerstone
of the new building at Mt. Tolmie is laid.
"On a brilliant, sunny October in 1908, forty-five
cadets marched out in a cloud of dust to form a receiving line
for the Honorable Richard McBride, Premier of
British Columbia. It was October 7, 1908 and Premier McBride
had come to speak as the cornerstone for the new school was laid.
Reverend W.W. Bolton opened the ceremonies with a prayer, the
stone was lowered into place and Premier McBride declared that
it was well and truly laid."
Mr. Barnacle and Mr. Harvey became co-headmasters and Rev. W.W.
Bolton becomes the administrator.
The Bridgman family hires K.C.
Symons to tutor their son Monty Bridgman, who
is K.C. Symons' first private student. Ned Symons, their second
son, is born–later, he becomes a Master at the school and
helps his brother run the school.
1909-1910
A new barn is built to accommodate the livestock, which consists
of two cows and a horse!
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Lord Strathcona
on a visit to University School in 1909. Seen with the
School's three founding Masters, Rev. W.W. Bolton (front
left), captain R.V. Harvey (3rd from left), and Mr. J.C.
Barnacle (4th from right). During his visit to University
School, Lord Strathcona shook hands with all the students
and asked that they be granted a half holiday. |
University School in March,
1909
K.C. Symons moves to Victoria to continue tutoring
Monty Bridgman, after the Bridgman family secures them a tiny
house. St. Michael's School is born!
1910-1911
The classroom building is ready by Christmas of 1911, and is
a large brick building containing eight large classrooms.
K.C. Symons buys a piano for $10 down and $10 a
month, plus interest.
The first boarder J. Carey, is taken in and
lunches become a part of the daily routine.
June 30th sees the first real Prize Giving after Mrs. Croft lends
the school the beautiful gardens of Mt. Adelaide.
Prize Giving Day in the garden.
 
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