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ad { if % # if Qp i & é byCathy Olliffe Late one night 30 years ago, Todd Becker received a persua- sive phone call. The person on the other end of the line wanted him to take over as principal of Prince Al- bert Public School. "I was offered the job for $3,800 but I said no, I had to have $4,000," Mr. Becker re- called. The job was his. Problem was, the school wasn'tbuilt yet. While Prince Albert has had a schoolhouse for more than a century, it wasn't until 1959 that the present structure was built. "The school was a hole in the ground when I first saw it," Mr. Becker said. "My first weekend on the job was spent uncrating and assembling desks." The tall, thin bespectacled speaker was the first principal at the modern version of Prince Albert Public School, and he was also one of the first former principals to speak. at the school's 30th anniversary tea held April 27. The gymnasium was dressed in its festive best for the occa- sion, with multi-coloured bal- loons, historic memorabilia on the walls, enough food to feed a small army, and a large crowd of present and past staff and students. The mood was nostalgically 20 Tod Becker happy, and though the guest speakers talked about the many different changes to the school Wy Aa ORT PERR auto glass & trim WITH THIS COUPON - MOBILE SERVICE - GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP 139 WATER ST.. 6 HIGH STREET PORT PERRY rT -- one thing has never changed-- the quality of cooperation be- tween staff, students and par- ents. "Most of my memories are of the most decent, hard-working kids I ever had the privilege of working with," Mr. Becker said. "It started as a good school and I understand the tradition con- Harry Kiezebrink tinues." Harry Kiezebrink became principal at Prince Albert in 1967, and although he later went on to do the same job at R.H. Cornish and most recent- ly, at S.A. Cawker Public School, he has never forgotten the spirit of cooperation at Prince Albert. over the years, they all claimed - one of the marks of this school -- cooperation," he said, adding he was always impressed with the amount of support issued by parents. "This truly is a commu- nity school. "It's these types of things that really mean a lot. If we don't guide them (students), who will?" Roden Rutledge, now in charge at Cartwright Central Public School, took over as prin- cipal at Prince Albertin 1978. Like the other guest speak- ers, he oversaw many physical changes to the school, including an addition started the year be- fore he did. Like all construction projects, the addition caused quite a mess. "The tiles kept falling off the ceiling while they were building the addition," he laughed. "And the mud, the mud was great. "Over the years the parking lot did increase in size, believe it or not," he quipped. And when things got really cramped, one teacher was forced to make his classroom in the gym's change room. Mr. Rutledge arrived as Prince Albert was twinned with Raglan Public School (now closed). And something hap- pened at Christmas one year he has never forgotten. "One of the best things I re- member was playing Santa Claus," he said. Dressed in the hr traditional red and white suit, Mr. Rutledge drove south to Raglan in his truck, attracting curious stares enroute. The crowd laughed at the memories, and then laughed even harder when a group of teachers stood at the front of the stage to sing a misty-eyed song Roden Rutledge of memory--while one of the teachers, wearing a dunce cap, threw paper airplanes at the conducter. After the formalities; every- one in the stepped outside to have their picture taken with a panoramic style camera. The picture, wide and narrow, was taken to commemorate the oc- casion--and perhaps to mimic the style offi hy taken at Prince Albert ic School many years ago. RT Hy OR 2 i £ i ¥ 2Y K A ies' *, Fac SE Talk about your large 'group shots!" This photographer, hired by the Prince Albert Public ¢ hool 30th anniversary re- union committee had his hands full directing all these peo- ple for a panoramic commemorative photo. With the help of an assistant and a bullhorn, the gentleman managed to get more than 100 people to say "cheese." The Toy Lending Library Fundraising FASHION SHOW -- by -- DESIGNER LOOK United Church Auditorium, Port Perry WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989 - 8 PM Refreshments - Door Prizes $6.00