RECOLLECTIONS
Historical documents and archival photographs show us the past, but personal recollections tell us stories that bring the past to life. This section of the exhibition presents selected audio clips from interviews with former students and staff at the fourth Lynn Valley School.
Like the current COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students throughout the century have been impacted by current events and have responded with kindness. In the past, big actions and small gestures, such as donations of streetcar tickets and clothing for students in need have made a world of difference and a lasting impression. The voices presented here are a modest, but treasured selection of living memories of the fourth Lynn Valley School.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
JEAN JONES
A COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Jean Jones
(teacher’s aide then secretary from 1975-1980):
“It seemed like the students, the parents, and the staff were like one. It was a community.”
MELISSA NEUBAUER
MS. HOPE
Melissa Neubauer
(student from 1994-2002):
“Ms. Hope was one of my favourites…I felt really comfortable with her and she seemed to really care about every single one of her students and what was going on in their lives…”
BOB MCCORMACK
OUR JANITOR
Bob McCormack
(student from 1948 – 1955):
“[The janitor] knew all of the kids by name, and he’d make sure we were behaving ourselves…But he also made sure that, if you were down in the dumps…a bit of milk would be in front of you.”
Over the many years, staff and community leaders have made efforts to introduce students at Lynn Valley School to the world beyond the north shore. In the early 1920s, School Board Trustee, Walter Draycott organized the school library and a school museum program. Funding for the library was provided by a grant that was split between the various schools in the District. With the assistance of the curator of the Vancouver City Museum, exhibits were donated to allow students to view and handle museum objects as part of their lessons. The aim was to provide teachers with hands-on approaches to instructing students. Later, in the 1960s, the Arrow Book Program was introduced, which included 180 books selected for encouraging children to read at an affordable price. Copies were made available through the library; however, they quickly fell apart due to constant use. Of course, every student remembers that special teacher, the one who went the distance for their students and instilled a passion for life-long learning.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
Cristina Rucci
LEARNING ENGLISH
Cristina Rucci
(student from 1976-1984):
“…for me [the library] was interesting because in my first couple of years I didn’t speak English well. I spoke Italian, because I never went to preschool or daycare…”
Dianne Elphinstone
LOCAL HISTORY
Dianne Elphinstone
(student from 1948-1955):
“At the end of this hall there was a big showcase and I believe most of the things in there [had been put in there by] Draycott.”
Marise Okruhlica
MATH
Marise Okruhlica
(student from 1975-1981):
“I think what excited me about math was being able to solve puzzles, like solve math equations…I think I had really good math teachers the whole way through – I was very, very lucky.”
Growing up and going to school in Lynn Valley will always be framed by nature. Memories of walking through the forest, playing in the fields and running away from bears are common. Many of the former students recall spending their free time outside as well as constructive class time.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
Mollie Nye
FALL FAIR
Mollie Nye
(student from 1922-1926) :
“…the women’s institute put on a fall fair and we would exhibit our vegetables and flowers there and…win prizes. It was a wonderful fall fair, it took all day for judging and exhibiting…”
Larry Sewell
FUN CLASSES
Larry Sewell
(teacher’s aide then secretary from 1975-1980):
“..I remember we built kites and we were out[side] flying them in school one day. We actually danced one day in the class, [Mr. Orser] wanted everybody to get up and get involved…”
Bob McCormack
BEAR TERRITORY
Bob McCormack
(student from 1948 – 1955):
“…I remember a few times, people would run out screaming, because there was a black bear in the forest between here and the park. And you couldn’t go out of the school…”
Jean Jones
WRECKED FIELD TRIP
Jean Jones
(secretary from 1975-1980):
“…it was a beautiful day and [we decided] it would be nice to go to Wreck Beach…after about a kilometer along the beach, lo and behold… this couple just carrying their shoes and nothing else…”
Penny Chester
SILAS HUCKLEBACK
Penny Chester
(student from 1972-1979):
“[Silas] was a cowboy…I just remember that we would all crowd around and want to touch the horse…he would tell us stories about old days in North Vancouver…”
Memories of school would not be complete without stories of lunch and recess. These were the breaks from educational exercises when children played games, bonded with friends and stopped moving long enough to eat and regain their energy.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
Hester Kerr
SOUP FOR LUNCH
Hester Kerr
(nee Hustwaite) (student in 1930s):
“…It was very rare that we stayed for lunch, although Mother used to be in charge of making soup for [students]. She made a huge kettle of soup and stuff for those that couldn’t come home…”
Dianne Elphinstone
BLIND HOPSCOTCH
Dianne Elphinstone
(student from 1948-1955):
“There was a thing we used to participate in, it was called “blind hopscotch”…we had two teams. One team would draw out the hopscotch, the opposing team had to stay away…the first team would choose one person – you’d be blindfolded – and you had to do the hopscotch…if you completed it you were given a prize…you had to be grade six or grade seven to participate. ”
Dianne Elphinstone
THE BRIER BLOCK
Dianne Elphinstone:
(student from 1948-1955):
“..there was a fantastic fish and chips shop in the centre and the older kids would head over there for lunch. Because my grandmother had a store in the Brier Block, my sister and I would usually go over there…”
Larry Sewell
AFTERSCHOOL GAMES
Larry Sewell
(student from 1963-1970):
“…I would say about March when the weather gets nice we’d be playing marbles out there on the gravel field…And against the school here we used to play baseball cards against the wall…”
Sue Fletcher
HOTDOG DAY
Sue Fletcher
(student from 1964-1970):
“A big highlight for me were hotdog days..I was the only kid in the class that would have two or three hotdogs, everybody else would just have one.”
As it is now, Lynn Valley School was a place of personal growth and challenges as well as the nucleus of community support for students and families. A combination of bravery and perseverance of students and their families plus a supportive school and community made better outcomes for students possible.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
Marise Okruhlica
FIRST DAY
Marise Okruhlica
(student from 1975-1981)):
“I looked around and there’s not really a lot of smiles…then there’s this little girl…I said ‘Can I share a desk with you?’ and she said ‘Yes, you can.”
Bob McCormack
HOOKY
Bob McCormack
(student from 1948-1955):
“…We got in trouble – I did, specifically. I had to write copious: “I WILL NOT PLAY HOOKY EVER AGAIN”. I had to do about thirty pages, I’ll never forget that. And I thought I was so smart, when Mum said, “Oh, we’ll just put down ‘hockey’.”
Bob McCormack
COMMUNITY
Bob McCormack
(student from 1948-1955):
“..This community looked after, helped my Dad and my family and Mum…So, that’s why I’ve been committed to forty years of community work..”
Marise Okruhlica
OPPORTUNITY
Marise Okruhlica
(student from 1975 – 1981):
“I think that there’s resilience from all the bad stuff that was happening…I think coming to Canada and being given a life that I have…”
Melissa Neubauer
TEACHING TODAY
Melissa Neubauer
(student from 1994-2002):
“…I can remember if I did something wrong at school, I was more scared of my mom than I was of my teacher…”
The economic and cultural landscape of Lynn Valley has changed in response to wider world events. Whether they be times of war, economic prosperity or a pandemic, these events prompt reflection. Former students take the time to comment on their sense of belonging at Lynn Valley Elementary School and the larger community.
To read the full transcripts or listen to the entire interviews, please contact the Archives team at archives@monova.ca
Gerry Brewer
EXCLUSION DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Gerry Brewer
(student in the 1940s):
“…I always remember one [Japanese school friend]…one day, he wasn’t there…the more you asked, the less you got for answers…”
Marise Okruhlica
COVID/CONNECTION/COMPASSION
Marise Okruhlica
(student from 1975-1981):
“..if we don’t treat our neighbour with kindness and compassion then we won’t have communities anymore like Lynn Valley.”
Bob McCormack
NOT AS OPEN
Bob McCormack
(student from 1948-1955):
“Lynn Valley, it was, and in many cases today still is, prominently white. Is that by design?..”
