King George VI School
School Profile
On June 5, 1951, 6 acres of land was purchased by the Sarnia Board of Education for $4250 from George & Velma Lindsay. This property was located near the southwest corner of Cathcart Blvd and Colborne Road. In 1952, construction began on the projected school which was named Cathcart School. This was officially changed to King George VI School on April 7, 1952 shortly after King George VI of England died.
King George VI (1895 - 1952) was King of Great Britain from 1936 to 1952. He suceeded to the throne after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in December 1936. George VI reigned during one of the most troubled periods in British history. He was a popular monarch because of his untiring devotion to royal duty and because of his ordinary, modest personality. He was married to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. On February 6, 1952 after months of failing health , King George VI died and his older daughter, Elizabeth, succeeded him to the throne. Elizabeth II continues to reign over Great Britain more than 50 years after her father's death and his wife celebrated her 100th birthday in August of 2000.
King George VI School was officially opened on March 17, 1953. At that time, it consisted of six classrooms. Over the years more rooms have been added and renovated. The school is now comprised of 12 regular classrooms, 2 kindergarten rooms, the Chris Hadfield Library Resource Centre, a gymnasium, and a resource classroom. On June 15, 1999, George Lindsay and his daughter Donna Core presented King George VI School with the original transfer agreement for the 6 acres of King George VI land. This framed agreement can be seen in the hall outside the school office.
The school serves two geographical communities. Sixty per cent of our students live close to the school and 40% of the students are bussed from Sherwood Village. Our students feed into two high schools. Our proximity to Canatara Park, Marcin Park and the Blue Water Bridge are just some of our unique features.
The staff and community support a variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including a house league program, school teams, choirs, spirit days, student council, reading buddies, an annual year book, and Earth School status.
50th Anniversary Celebration
On Friday March 28th, 2003 we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Everyone was welcome to attend. At 1:00 p.m., all students in the school formed a giant number 50, outside in the school parking lot. A Sarnia fire truck was present to take aerial photos. Students wore school colours (red & black).
We began our ceremonial assembly at 1 :30 p.m. in the gym. We received a 20-minute teleconference call from Canadian Astronaut, Col. Chris Hadfield. He told us about his early days at King George VI, answered many questions and wished us well in the future. He also wrote a letter to the school which is included below this article. The School Choir performed, "It's a Lovely Day", led by Mrs. Bell-Leaver. Mayor Bradley, presented the school with a commemorative plaque. Other Recognition Awards were sent to our school from Federal Member of Parliament, Mr. R. Gallaway, Provincial Member of Parliament, Mrs. C. DiCocco, The Lieutentant Governor of Ontario, Mr. James K. Bartleman and Premier of Ontario, Mr. Ernie Eves. These dignitaries were unable to attend . Mr. Duncan Longwell, a Board Trustee presented King George with a certificate from the Lambton Kent Board of Education. The first Principal, Mr. A. McPhedran, sent his memories and best wishes in the letter which was read out during the assembly. Also, the principal, Mr. Larry Babcock, read a letter from Mrs. Donna Core, who along with her father had formally presented to the school, the deed to the land that King George VI is located on. In attendance, was Mr. Al Graham, an Executive Director of the Lambton College Foundation (volunteer).
Two former retired King George principals and a number of staff were present. Richard Acton, a fist year teacher and an retired administrator of this school district, told us about what King George's first school year was like. Since the school was no finished until November 1952, staggered day classes were held at Lakeroad School for the first few months. The school was officially opened on March 17, 1953. We shared a power point presentation of King George's past, put together by Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Salt. Our ceremony ended with a 50th cake cutting.
Pictures from the past were displayed in the main entrance of the school. The theme week prior to the celebrations was entitled , "Anniversary of the Decades".
We wish to thank School Council members Mrs. Lindsay, Mrs. Claeys, Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Wright, a parent volunteer, and Mrs. J. Knox, a former retired King George VI teacher-librarian and Canadian Space Agency Contact, for their assistance in planning for our 50th celebration. We would like to thank the members of the media for their coverage of our event - Sarnia Observer, CKCO TV, Sarnia This Week and CHOK Radio.
Grade |
Room Number |
| Grade 8 | 7 |
| Grade 7/8 | 6 |
| Grade 6/7 | 8 |
| Grade 5/6 | 9 |
| Grade 5 | 5 |
| Grade 4 | 3 |
| Grade 3/4 | 10 |
| Grade 2/3 | 2 |
| Grade 2 | 11 |
| Grade 1/2 | 15 |
| Grade 1 | 16 |
| Family Grouping | 13 |
| Family Grouping 1/2 time | 14 |