St. Mary School

Link to St. Mary's Webpage

Click here to view Archbishop Prendergast's letter for Catholic Education Week 2008 (PDF format)!

Today, St. Mary's School is located on Lot 30, Concession 4, Rideau Front, Gloucester. The first school in South Gloucester was built of logs, on property obtained from John Durney - Lot 29, Conc. 4, Gloucester, just south of Our Lady of the Visitation Church at the entrance to Pyper's Sand and Gravel.

It was a common school with thirty-two pupils attending in 1866 with Miss Cameron as the teacher. In 1857, Michael Creghan was the teacher with an average of forty pupils. In 1890 this log school and property consisting of one-half acre was sold to Joseph McEvoy for the sum of $50.00. The school trustees at that time were Patrick Fagan, Chairman; Virgil McKenna, Treasurer; and Peter Stackpole.

On May 22, 1889, the school board purchased one-half acre from Patrick Sherran on Lot 30, Conc. 4 (present location, corner of Highway 31 and Regional Road 8) and a one-room frame school was built, opening in September 1889. This school was used until 1950 when more property was purchased from James McKenna and a new two-room brick school was built. Hammy Fitzsimmons purchased the old school and moved it to his property on Highway 31 near Greely.

The new school opened in 1950, and the school board consisted of Mike Millar, Chairman; James Downey, Secretary-Treasurer; Joseph Leahy, and Nicholas Tierney. The teachers were Mary McKenna and Peggy Dennis.

A further addition was made to the school in 1958. By 1965, St Mary's School had five teachers and 169 students in grades 1 - 8. From 1966-69 there was amalgamation into Carleton School Board, and further expansion; additional classroom space and a gym were added.

In September 1980, St. Mary's School classes were reduced by two grades, with grades seven and eight attending the new Southern Catholic Junior High situated at the corner of Dozois Road and Regional Road 8, In Osgoode Township, now known as St. Mark High.

In 1981 there were about 200 pupils attending St. Mary's School. Richard McGrath was principal and the teachers were Mrs. Beckstead, Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. Donaldson, Mrs. Laviolette, Mrs. Maley, Pat McEvoy, Mr. Mailhot, Mrs. O'Farrell, Mrs. Tischer and Mrs. Brown. The secretary was Mrs. Stella Owens.

In 2000, the school celebrated its 50th Anniversary! At that time there were 347 students enrolled. By 2002, enrolment had increased to 390 students and there was talk of the need for a further addition to the school. In spring 2003, work began on the largest addition. Five new classrooms, a library and computer lab were completed by the fall. The official opening was held on November 5, 2003.

In June 2007, there were 376 full time students enrolled at St. Mary's (plus 15 language class students part-time). There was a staff of 35 (some part-time), including teachers, teaching assistants and support staff. The current principal is Mr. Paul Lahey who came to St. Mary's in September 2006, following the retirement of Mrs. Linda Bevan.