Mahone Bay Old School_A Life and Times_Bob Sayer

The Staff Leavers 1955-56
Hilda Burgoyne was to return to the school a little later. John Donaldson
[a future teacher and principal himself] recalls, “She may have been the best
teacher I ever had…a firm disciplinarian who could tear the skin off you with
-out saying a word….but could she teach!” He and Barbara Webber [Miller]
both remember her dedication. She broke her foot and was unable to get to
school, so, until she recovered, math classes were held at her home.
The innovative editor and seventh graduate was Barbara Webber who arrived that
year from the Valley. She must have impressed because she was immediately made
yearbook editor. She says, “It was probably because no-one else wanted to do it, and
I was too shy to say ‘no’.” She remembers, “Moments of regret….with piles of pages
everywhere waiting to be put together.”
Her parents had started what was to become a Mahone Bay/South
Shore Institution…Bill’s Store
The same year, 1955-56, saw all three senior high teachers, including the
principal, leave. It was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and keep staff. There
was a shortage of teachers. Jobs were available everywhere.
Randolph Churchill was a different case. He was a kind, well meaning man
with fine science knowledge. But students remember he had no discipline.
The keen science students learned and appreciated him, but it was in the midst of
chaos. There were times when Hilda Burgoyne appeared at his classroom door to
restore order. Mr. Mouzar and the board discussed the problem a number of times.
He was asked to move on. Mr. Churchill joined H.V. Corkum’s staff at Shatford
Memorial School, Hubbards. His daughter,
Margaret, who had graduated from the school in 1952, became a respected
family physician.
Francis Mouzar was a steady respected administrator, and, like many others,
Mahone Bay was a stepping-stone upwards. He went on to become supervisor of
schools in the Town of Liverpool. His last year of two, 1954-56, was high lighted by a
drama revival. He produced Lavender and Old Lace.
It was a huge success: making money and having performances in New
Germany and Riverport, as well as the Mahone Bay Legion Hall. The yearbook called
it, ….Of all our activities this past year, the most memorable…
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