Eldred, Allen Dickson, Muriel Precious, Mary
Frizzley, Muriel Dobbin, Jean Adair, Mrs. Roy
Gibson, Jackie McGregor, Edith Ackerman, Tina
Funk, Miss Froese, Beatrice Campbell, Ann Bailey,
Muriel Dobbin, Mrs. Van Dobbin and Delmer
Dobbin.

There were 39 students in two classrooms when
the school was closed in June 1968. Other students
who attended throughout the five—year life span of
the school were: Debbie and Lorrain Unrau, Janice
Dobbin, Jim and Betty Manastyr, Myrna and Keith
Rathwell, Laurel and Terrance Howard, Phyllis and
Donald Braaksma, Margaret and Lorne Gregory,
Larryi Strain, Larry and Jean Purkess, Wendy North,
Loren Fenton, Ronald and Marjorie Catt, Richard
and Joanne McCulloch, Donna Hodgins, Shirley
Fenton, Fayie Bickford, Heather Ross, John
Moman, Corny Klassen, Darlene and Brian Leslie
and Jake Penner.

 

 

Ladysmith School Cairn
PRATT SCHOOL #2167

The first recorded meeting concerning the estab—
lishment of Pratt School District #2167 was held
July 20, 1927. This meeting took place at the home
of Arnold Cathcart. At that time, the first three

school trustees were appointed: Mr. Charles E.
North. Mr. Hector Sturton, and MR. Tom A. Hillis.

194

 

On August 4, 1927, it was agreed that the school
site be on the northwest corner of NW 34—9—11 and
that the school board purchase three acres of land
from Charles E. North for the sum of $50. C. W. Lye
of MacGregor was contracted to supply all the mate-
rials and built the school for the sum of $2,235 plus
$100 to fence the school grounds. The students
planted the trees around the school.

Miss Irene McGill was hired as the first teacher
for a salary of $700 per year. Sixteen students began
school, and the enrollment increased to 26 by June
1928. Some of those students were: Irene, Evelyn,
Gordon, Harold, Violet, Velvera and Hilda Hodgins;
Mike Nick and Mary Stafaniuk; Clifford, James and
Eddie Griffin; Albert and Freda Hillis; Horace and
Rose North; Muriel Wood; Lily Hyde and Jim
Menzies.

By 1937—38, enrollment dropped to eight: Helen
Hillis; Russel and Earl Hodgins; Shirley Lounsbury;
Clayton, Gerald, Winnifred and Mae Cathcart.

In the early thirties, hard times forced the
teacher’s wages to drop to $450 per year. Enroll-
ment dropped so low in 1943 that the pupils were
transported to Great Carlton School (in summer, in
an old bread wagon purchased in Winnipeg; and in
winter, in a covered sleigh). Wilford Hodgins was
paid $2.50 per day to drive and provide the horses.
In 1945 and 1947, Pratt students attended
Southfield School. In the late 50’s Great Carlton
students attended Pratt School as enrollments re—
versed.

Schools were used for community events, con-
certs and dances, with Muriel Wood playing her
accordion and her father, George, playing the
“Bones”. Gertie MacGregor played the piano.
Arnold Cathcart called the square dances and taught
his daughter, Mae, to dance by having her stand on
his toes. Albert North and Ethel Strain were a joy to
watch doing a dance called the Jersey.

Enrollment in Great Carlton, Southfield, Pratt
and Ladysmith Schools declined in the 1960’s, and
they were consolidated into Spruce Hills School
District #2413 on #34 highway, south of Pratt. This
school is now the home of David and Carol
Kilfoyle.

The Pratt school building still stands in the orig-
inal yard and belongs to Brian and Colleen Leslie,
who use it today as a farm building.

Eighteen teachers taught in the Pratt School:
Irene Gill, George North, Iris Jackson, Jenny
Mackie, Joe Mayers, Helen Francis, Valera
Cathcart, Jean Philips, Dorothy Legg, Esther
Jeffrey, Jean North, G. L. Miche, Fay Sims, Annie
Lamb, Ivy McCuaig, Beverly Rankin, Grace Hay
and Adria Burkhardt.