History of St. Philips School

Our history of St. Philips School begins in 1954 but early census records make reference to several items of interest: In 1845, there was one school with 13 males and 13 females in attendance. In 1869, sixteen children were attending school in St. Philips and eleven were not attending; in 1874, seventy-five children could read and write while thirty-one were attending school. The census of 1901 reports that the population of St. Philips was 602, including one teacher. There were 315 people who could read at that time and there were 2 schools.

On August 10, 1849, Rev. A.G.E. Bayley (Church of England) clergyman for the area, wrote in his journal, "Went to Broad Cove (St. Philips) for the purpose of distributing some rewards among the school children. They were delighted with their presents and returned one thousand of thanks."

On January 24, 1850, Rev. Bayley wrote, At Broad Cove all day. the poor old schoolmaster is very ill . . . he bears his sickness very patiently and longs for health that he may get at his work again. It is very pleasing to observe so aged a person as he is ; so fully alive to his duties and so pleased with his employment."

Let us now jump ahead over 100 years to October 19, 1954. On that date a letter was sent out to the Anglican congregation to determine what interest, if any, there was in building a new school and what each member was prepared to give. Document 1954 At that time there were three schools in the St. Philips area. The old St. Philips Anglican School was located near the beach, St. George's School was located on Thorburn Road (then under the jurisdiction of the St. John's Anglican School Board) ... it's now the St. Philip's Parish Hall and St. Agathas - located on Old Broad Cove Road. There were three teachers at St. Philips two at St. Georges and one at St. Agathas.

Two years later the new school was completed at a total cost of $41,381.82. Even with a lot of free labour and a donation of land, this was much more than the amount suggested in the previous document. In order to pay off the debt, the parishioners were asked to contribute at least two dollars per month for the next five years.Document 1956 Mr. Starkes was the principal of the new school.

By 1957-58, the new school now had a staff of five led by the principal, Mr. Arthur Young. St. Agatha's was still a one room school and on Nov. 16, 1957 a proposal was made by the Board of Directors for the Church of England Schools in St. John's that St. George's School on Thorburn Road should come under the management of the St. Philip's School Board. This proposal was accepted, and on June 30, 1958, St. George's came under the responsibility of St. Philip's. By 1960, St. Philip's School now had seven teachers , St. George's had two and St. Agatha's one teacher. On November 24, 1965, a meeting was held to discuss the possibility and feasibility of consolidating the Anglican School Boards of St. John's, Petty Harbour, St. Philip's, Portugal Cove and Pouch Cove.

On May 31, 1966, a meeting was held in St. Philip's School for the purpose of making a decision on the matter of consolidation and centralization. After much discussion, both pro and con, it was decided unanimously to enter into consolidation with the "Greater St. John's Board." When school closed for the summer vacation June, 1967, it was the last year that Grades X and XI students would be attending St. Philip's School. There were 20 students in the last Grade XI class and 16 in Grade X. Beginning in September 1967, students in Grades X and XI would attend school at Bishop's College, St. John's.

...TO Be CONTINUED