Current and former staff and students gathered together on December 6 at John Norquay Elementary School to celebrate 110 years of community and learning.
It was heartwarming to see the many generations of Norquay students gathered under one roof, sharing a love of their school and community.
Word has it that the attendance surpassed even their centennial anniversary celebration. The John Norquay Elementary Alumni Association (JNEAA) did an incredible job organizing an event with tours of the school, memorabilia tables, food and refreshments and videos. More than a dozen current students volunteered for the event and with guests, explored the school's traditions over the decades.
Karen Jou, a former student and now current VSB staff member, shares her special thoughts about the school and how one teacher made learning a truly special and joyous process during her days at Norquay!
Many of the alumni I met up at the event were like me: once upon a time youngsters who went to elementary school in the 80s.
I went to John Norquay from 1981-1989, during a time when there was a lot of excitement and changes in Vancouver. We had Expo 86, the new Skytrain and classrooms started introducing computers (thanks to Mr. Colpitts). On TV we cheered for Terry Fox and Rick Hanson as they made their way across Canada. Demographically, there were a lot of changes as well, with more immigration and a sense of new possibilities. Vancouver was celebrating 100 years and our school rose to the occasion putting on theatricals, dances and music performances.
Norquay Elementary School looms large in my childhood memories, not only because I attended the school, but because my house was the closest to the school. The front door of my home faced the front door of the beautiful brick school. In the morning when I peer out the window, I saw the student patrols (crossing guards) take their jobs very seriously, helping students safely cross the streets. In the evenings I saw the keen kids staying late at school practicing band or sports.
Our school was known for music, gymnastics, dance and sports - all supported by many dedicated and passionate teachers. Being a shy and clumsy kid, I shied away from many of the extracurricular activities. The same shyness has probably stayed with me as an adult, as going out to a school reunion isn't something I would normally do. -Until that is, I heard that my Grade 6 teacher, Mr. Stevens, was going to be there. Knowing that, I was one of the first to show up to the event!
On the alumni Facebook group a meme keeps popping up. It says, "Every adult remembers their favourite teacher."
I have had my fair share of wonderful teachers, but my Grade 6 year with Mr. Stevens was the highlight of my elementary years. He drove an old Volkswagen beetle which fit him perfectly as he was humble, energetic and compact. I remember that he arranged his class in tables, rather than desks, which made me feel so grown up. He spoke to us like adults and listened intently to what we had to say. In his class, I excelled learning about mythology, biology and parts of speech. I remember him pulling me aside every month to talk to me about my progress, making a little chart telling me how close I was to getting honour roll. My grades looked like an upward trajectory, but besides grades, he made learning meaningful and fun.
Now at the reunion 35 years later, I was ecstatic that I had a chance to see Mr. Stevens and tell him what a memorable teacher he was. He looked very much the same with his beautiful smile and there was no shortage of students telling him, "You were my favourite teacher!" He brought his album with him, asking me which class I belonged to. I flipped through the pages and recognized many of the events, especially sports day. Towards the back were all his class pictures he kept organized by year. I found my 1988 class and pointed to my grade six self and took a picture with him, all the while my eyes were brimming with tears. He probably doesn't remember who I was specifically, and it really didn't matter. I felt privileged to be a part of his cherished photo album where names of every student he taught were handwritten in perfect penmanship below every class photo, validating that every child he taught mattered.
