Saint Anne's School at Spaniards Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

My friend Sarah Quinn contacted meand informed me that she read that on Friday December 28, 1917 there was a "tea and dance" at St. Anne's School room in Spaniards Bay; allegedly there was a total of $50.00 raised for a benefit (a donation) to be put together for Relief (allegedly regarding the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917)! Thank you very much Sarah. (Reference said to be 18-1-3)

Recently yours truly had an opportunity to speak with an ex-pupil of St. Anne's who was attending the Spaniards Bay school during the 1940s. Specifically in mid 1944 the contact was in Grade three and taught by Miss Paula Hayden; in Sptember 1943 when the 1943-44 school year began the student in question was in grade three (3). Later that school year in the spring of 1944 when victory was won by the Bristish allies over Hitler's Third Reich the children were promoted to Grade 4; this was the grade the contact told me that she finished the school year of 1943-44 year in June. In September 1944 she was promoted again to Grade five (5).

B T W "god damn" is not offensive as when one calls on the Almighty to damn anything. "Small case g does not mean "God the Almighty". When I studied Christian Doctorine in St Pats and Religion in St Annes the term god (with a small letter) dealt with false gods.

It is the Emerald (55th) Anniversary of my final school day at St. Anne's School in Spaniards Bay; my teacher was then Miss Bernice Delaney.

Through an update in a FB friends status this past week we learn of a former school mate passing away. Jimmy RIP.

An obituary reads : "In
loving memory
of
Jim Gushue
65 years.
Passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at Health Sciences North.

Beloved husband of Gloria (nee Martin) predeceased in 2013. Loving father of James Gushue, Tina Easto and Jonathan “Vaughan” Martin (Shabana). Cherished “Grampy” and “Papa” of Jade Easto, Trista Martin and Rogan Martin. Predeceased by his parents James & Judy Gushue and brother Paul. Survived by siblings Eddie, David, Linda, Carol and Judy. He will be sadly missed by nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Sudbury, Manitouwadge and Newfoundland.
Visitation at the Lougheed Funeral Home (252 Regent St. at Hazel Street) on Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 from 6-8pm. Cremation at the Park Lawn Crematorium. In support of his son James, donations to the Autism Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family."

It was more than seven years ago that I took it upon myself to reach out and see if there was an chance that we might get a response from former school mates, former teachers even, along with hearing from any persons that attended the wooden schoolhouse on the hill that passed by the chapel going towards Back Cove in Spaniards Bay, Newfoundland.

I am aware that there are a few of you out there in cyberspace, so to speak, and with that in mind my initial purpose was just that...to connect with any of you. Of course then it would be a matter of asking that we recollect as many anecdotal stories and perhaps post them here so that it would possibly be a spark to activate the memories of the many other former students of that little school across from St. Anne's Church in Spaniards Bay.

When I attended the school there were initially two teachers; there was Miss Bernice Delaney (whom hailed from Bay Roberts, Newfoundland) and Miss Marie Hearn (whom hailed from the town of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland). Miss Delaney was the principal and she was responsible to educating the Grades four, five and six students. This was when it had two sections that were divided into two rooms. The dividers were large wooden doors, for some reason I believe there was perhaps ten (1o) of them or maybe a dozen (12).

Miss Hearn's responsibility was for those pupils learning the curriculum covering grades one, two and three. Yours truly was there in September 1961 and my last day was on Friday February 18, 1966 when my dad moved us from Spaniards Bay to St. John's where he was employed with the Sisters of Mercy. He was wanting for us to attend the larger schools in the capital city such as St. Patrick's Hall School and Our Lady of Mercy School. The former was where I attended school on Merrymeeting Road and of course my three sisters were taught by the nuns at Harvey Road and Military Road.

Despite hundreds of invitations sent out to persons I know that attended the school during my time I have to say the response has been minimal; however it is growing. Perhaps good news items take their time getting the message out. The building was torn down about a decade and a half ago. It had served as a parish hall and a venue for bingo games and community events such as garden parties, Christmas trees, and birthday parties over the years that it was no longer a school house. The school closed in the late 1960s and the children were bused to St. Joseph's School in Riverhead - Harbour Grace. (to be continued)

To all members I ask you all to tell us a story/recollection you have of when you attended school at Spaniards Bay

Today there is no structures on the prperty where the latter building stood. It was removed in May thirteen years ago.

There were many many terrific tales that I belive surrounds the buildings near St. Anne's
; please feel free to add your own stories. They are appreciated always. Just tell us.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/20/us/covington-kentucky-student-statement/index.html

Statement of Nick Sandmann, Covington Catholic High School junior, regarding incident at the Lincoln Memorial I am providing this factual account of what happened on Friday afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial to correct misinformation and outright lies being spread about my family and me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXejSDUK0J4

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