EXTRA-CIRRICULAR ACTIVITES PROVIDE OUTLET FOR STUDENTS

By Eileen Zarafonitis

[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]

Extra-circular activities have always played a major part on the education scene, and Welland High is no exception.

The Literary Society, believed to have started in the Bald Street Grammar School, in the 1870s is the oldest such establishment. The school yearbook was published under it several different names since the 1890s but it was a four-page collection of short stories, essays, school news and original poems published in 1910, which first bore the title The Student.

A boys’ hockey team also existed at this time and it was in 1913 the High School Board received an application signed by 35 students to form a Cadet Corps. The request was granted.

By 1930 a great number of student activities had been established such s sports clubs and inter-scholastic athletic competitions. It was a great day in 1938 when the playing field was finally completed.

An article published in the October 21, 1930 edition of the Tribune told of the interest in high school sports and stated….”Rugby, one of the “big” sports of the school, is progressing with leaps and bounds. It is the newest sport in the school being started only in recent years but now holds a permanent place.”

GLEE CLUB

Despite numerous hardships during the depression of the 30’s Welland High continued to add a variety of activities beginning with the Glee Club in 1932. 1934, 1935 and 1936 saw the establishment of the Science Club, the Student Council and the Literary Club respectively. The revival of the school orchestra in 1937 also met with much enthusiasm.

The school’s activities were highly praised in the 1936 Valedictory Address of Julius Enushevsky {Dr. J.M. Ennis) when he said….”In what are called extra-circular activities but what are very much a part of the curriculum, we have found a great scope for development. Guided by our principal Mr. Johnson, in a fair democratic spirit, these activities tend more and more, by laying on us certain responsibilities, to develop us so in the problems we shall experience in the immediate and remote future.”

MAGAZINE

The 1940s at Welland High got off to a successful start with the publication of the magazine The Student Weekly, begun in 1941. The same year saw the establishment of the WHVS Swing Band and introduced a new type of music to the students.

In 1945, when everyone was recovering from the war years, the Poster Club was formed and The Student Weekly became the weekly Tiger. Girls tumbling and mixed bowling clubs were introduced in 1947 followed by the organization of the Photography Club in 1948, The decade came to an end with the formation of the Stamp Club in 1949.

The Fabulous Fifties arrived and a Boys Curling Club was announced, followed six years later with a similar club for the girls. As interests broadened, a United Nations Club, was established in 1958 while 1959 saw the introduction of Radio, Badminton and Chess Clubs.

THE 1960s

B the time the 60s’ arrived on the scene it might have appeared there were enough extra-curricular activities to interest all the students, but such was not the case. The Drama Club got off to a rousing start in 1963 followed a year later by the Modern Language Club. The year 1967 saw the inauguration of the Arm-Chair Travellers Club while the outdoors set were excited over the formation of the Fur, Feather and Fin Club in ’68. This was also the year the Usher’s Club was established. The debut of the Debating Club in 1969 saw this decade draw to a close.

Many of these clubs are still going strong today.

The present decade appears to focus on the feats of WHVS athletes. 1973 was the year of tumultuous celebrations as Welland High cheered the senior boys’ basketball team to victory over its arch rival Notre Dame-for the first time.

As the 70s progressed so did the school’s various teams, by capturing a number of SOSSA championships on the field, in the gym and on the golf course.

May all these extra circular activities continue to function for many more years.