Central Technical School
Encyclopedia
Central Technical School (C.T.S.) is a composite high school located at 725 Bathurst Street at Harbord Street in Toronto, Canada.
C.T.S. offers a wide range of programs, including all core academic courses, as well as concentration and specialization in visual arts and technical studies. C.T.S. also offers enriched levels and special education, including resource room and monitoring for students who have been identified as having learning disabilities, and support for students in the transition from high school to university, college, apprenticeship or employment.
Suburbia began at Spadina, and slightly to the west, where Central Tech now stands was a large apple orchard owned by members of the Saywell family. As more people moved to the suburbs part of this orchard was purchased by the Board of Education and it became the site of Borden St. public school. The fact that the Board already owned this property was largely responsible for its choice as the site of the Toronto Technical School when construction of this school was finally approved.
Actually, the main building of our present complex was the fourth home of the Toronto Technical School. As early as 1888, the Association of Stationary Engineers had requested the City Council to consider the establishment of a school for technical training to meet the need for skilled workers for Toronto’s booming industries. There followed a certain amount of political buck passing in which the Council tried to shift the responsibility for founding such a school to the Board of Management of the Public Library. The Library Board investigated the whole picture of technical education on this continent and reported that the need for such a school was obvious, but that to be effective, it should be on a much larger scale than originally contemplated by Council. They recommended that a special committee be set up to blueprint the organization and management of the proposed institution. Finally, in 1891, Council passed a motion “to establish The Toronto Technical School to be located in the St. Lawrence Hall
and the anterooms connected therein.” The school mainly catered to older students with the classes being held in the evenings so that employees could attend after work. Classes began on January 26, 1892, and were held from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each public school day.
Provision was made for a total of 150 students studying mathematics, chemistry, descriptive geometry, mechanics, physics, and drafting. Unfortunately, 307 students registered and it was soon apparent that the St. Lawrence Hall
was totally inadequate, so the school moved the more spacious Old Wycliffe Hall on the north side of College St. at the head of McCaul St., the present site of the Mining Building of the University of Toronto
.
By 1896, the enrollment had risen to 1,511. Courses in Domestic Science were introduced in that year and the school became coeducational. The overcrowding led to many complaints by interested organizations who demanded that a suitable building be provided for the Toronto Technical School . A harassed city council finally appointed a committee to find a new site. Tech currently holds 2,500 students.
About this time, the Toronto Athletic Club got into financial difficulties and its property was put up for sale. This was the building known as the Stewart Building on the south side of College St., which until recently housed the Ontario College of Art. The Technical School Board purchased it in 1900 for $80,000 plus back taxes, and agreed to raise a further $10,000 to convert it into a school. The first Art Department in the school was formed by putting a partition across the pool; sculpture was taught in the deep end of the tank and all the other art classes in the remaining area.
Day classes began in 1901 with 151 students, while the attendance at night school continued to soar with 1,710 students registered. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the school was the highly professional staff under the capable leadership of Dr. William Pakenham, who was principal from 1901 until June, 1907.
The period from 1900 to 1910 was one of great industrial growth in Canada and it soon became obvious that if Canada were to hold an influential place in world markets, a skilled labour force, backed by trained technicians, was a prime necessity. With this goal in mind, the Dominion Government requested Dr. John Seath to prepare a report on “Education for Industrial Purposes”. This report finally appeared in 1911. However, this is one instance where the City of Toronto was ahead of its time. Since 1907, it had been considering a site for a fine new technical school to be constructed as a purely civic enterprise. Finally, after many changes of mind, the present location was selected in 1912 and an agreement drawn up to permit the closing of Herrick Street between Lippincott and Borden Streets.
The Board of Education appointed Dr. A.C. McKay as principal in June, 1911. Most of the solid foundation of technical education in Toronto can be justly ascribed to the work of this man; indeed, had subsequent Boards adhered to his original plans, the system would have been even better. A former professor of physics at U. of T., a chancellor of McMaster, and an experienced teacher in both elementary and secondary schools, Dr. McKay was a man with a great vision of technical education.
Dr. McKay began his plans for Central Tech by first visiting the great polytechnical schools of Europe. He returned with very definite ideas about the kind of building he wanted and immediately announced a competition open to all architects. The competition was won by Ross and Macfarlane
of Montreal. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on September 3, 1913, by Robert Borden
, Prime Minister of Canada.
This building, with several expansions, remains the school’s home to this day.Features originally incorporated in the building include the crest over the main entrance of the school, the coat of arms of the City of Toronto. Central Tech is the only school that has the privilege of using this crest; it is due to the fact that the citizens of Toronto paid for the school without the aid of other levels of government.
The “ribbon” across the bottom of the crest carries the legend “Industry, Intelligence, and Integrity”. These qualities have always characterized our top graduates. The two capitals that top the columns supporting the main entrance arch presented a bit of a problem. The Scottish stonemasons who build the school wanted to make their own contribution to the building and they felt that the standard Gothic caps would lack interest. As their gift, they carved the two gnomes that surmount the columns. The one is dressed in academic cap and gown and is busy writing in a book, thus representing the academic side of the school. The second gnome is in the ancient garb of a journeyman working with hammer and chisel, representing the technical side of the school.
The Exhibition Room, 208, with its fine paneling and fireplace, was a gift from the builder at no cost to the citizens. The principal’ s office occupied the whole of Room 202 It was beautifully paneled in dark red mahogany with a beamed ceiling and plaster medallions that were masterpieces of the plasterer’s art.
The third floor was known as “C” floor and was reserved for the females. No male was allowed on this floor at any time except to go to the “lunch room” which occupied the corner and that part of the north corridor now given over to electronics. Segregation by sex was the order of the day and certain doors and stairs were reserved for use by females only.
The auditorium has always been the focus of school activities. Central was one of the last schools to give up the tradition of daily opening exercises for the whole school.
The auditorium was the scene of the official opening of the school on the evening of Tuesday, August 31, 1915 . Some thirty-six years later, on the morning of April 20, 1951, its doors were locked for the last time and the keys turned over to the contractors to begin its conversion into a gymnasium.
The school gradually became more focused on educating the youth with the adult education programs being moved to other schools in the late 1930s. In 1915 there were approximately 750 ”scholars”. With an expected increase in student population the school ultimately had to expand. In 1932 to accommodate the increasing number of aircraft students, the city bought a garage, “the Annex”, at 844 Bathurst Street . It proved insufficient and in l951 a major addition was erected on the south side replacing the girls’ playing field. This new wing included aircraft and auto mechanic facilities, a new auditorium, and a cafeteria.
Ten years later a separate addition was built on the boys’ playing field on the north side of the main building. It was to house the increasing number of art students who were overcrowded on the fifth floor of the main building (now the Mathematics Department). Much honour has been bestowed upon the architecture of the building and the high quality of work produced therein.
Still another building was added in 1967 on the northwest corner of the campus. Referred to as the Bathurst Building it contains numerous shops, two gymnasia and an Olympic size swimming pool.
The latest addition has been a large Uniroyal track. These additions replaced a tennis court, a small park, and a playing field on the entire west side block. Today the high school campus, one of the largest in the British Empire is a mixture of contrasting architecture: the collegiate gothic of the original building, and the ultramodern of the Art Centre and Bathurst buildings.
Much honour was bestowed on the school concerning Central Tech’s group efforts. Among these were the Cadet Corps, the football team and later in the 30’s and 40’s the track team. Another highlight was the installment of the memorial organ. Originally built as a memorial to the unfortunate students who lost their lives in the First World War, it soon became an integral part of the school.
, Terry Mosher
, and Aba Bayefsky
.
The fact that Central Tech had the only school track with a proper running surface may have led to its undeniable success in track and field. This culminated in the decade of the eighties. In 1983 Central Tech set a boys record for points in a provincal championships with an astounding 133 points.
Grant Hoffman s
]
http://ofsaa-track.yolasite.com/
Mike S
http://www.mehockrelays.com/
Leroy Keane
Atlee Mahorn
, Resident Evil: Apocalypse
, Class of 1984
and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D
.
but were not charged, one fled and was sought as a suspect until 7:30 pm EST when he was taken into custody. It was discovered he was a victim. One teen currently remains to be apprehended. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt or killed.
C.T.S. offers a wide range of programs, including all core academic courses, as well as concentration and specialization in visual arts and technical studies. C.T.S. also offers enriched levels and special education, including resource room and monitoring for students who have been identified as having learning disabilities, and support for students in the transition from high school to university, college, apprenticeship or employment.
History
At the turn of the century, the northern and western limits of the City of Toronto intersected approximately at the corner of Bloor and Spadina. It was here that the horse-drawn trolleys of the Toronto Street Railway turned off Bloor Street and made their way south towards the lakefront.Suburbia began at Spadina, and slightly to the west, where Central Tech now stands was a large apple orchard owned by members of the Saywell family. As more people moved to the suburbs part of this orchard was purchased by the Board of Education and it became the site of Borden St. public school. The fact that the Board already owned this property was largely responsible for its choice as the site of the Toronto Technical School when construction of this school was finally approved.
Actually, the main building of our present complex was the fourth home of the Toronto Technical School. As early as 1888, the Association of Stationary Engineers had requested the City Council to consider the establishment of a school for technical training to meet the need for skilled workers for Toronto’s booming industries. There followed a certain amount of political buck passing in which the Council tried to shift the responsibility for founding such a school to the Board of Management of the Public Library. The Library Board investigated the whole picture of technical education on this continent and reported that the need for such a school was obvious, but that to be effective, it should be on a much larger scale than originally contemplated by Council. They recommended that a special committee be set up to blueprint the organization and management of the proposed institution. Finally, in 1891, Council passed a motion “to establish The Toronto Technical School to be located in the St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall is a meeting hall in Toronto, Canada next to the St. Lawrence Market. It was built, alongside the new city hall, in 1850 after an 1849 fire destroyed much of the market. The Renaissance Revival style building was designed by William Thomas. It was created to be Toronto's public...
and the anterooms connected therein.” The school mainly catered to older students with the classes being held in the evenings so that employees could attend after work. Classes began on January 26, 1892, and were held from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each public school day.
Provision was made for a total of 150 students studying mathematics, chemistry, descriptive geometry, mechanics, physics, and drafting. Unfortunately, 307 students registered and it was soon apparent that the St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall is a meeting hall in Toronto, Canada next to the St. Lawrence Market. It was built, alongside the new city hall, in 1850 after an 1849 fire destroyed much of the market. The Renaissance Revival style building was designed by William Thomas. It was created to be Toronto's public...
was totally inadequate, so the school moved the more spacious Old Wycliffe Hall on the north side of College St. at the head of McCaul St., the present site of the Mining Building of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
By 1896, the enrollment had risen to 1,511. Courses in Domestic Science were introduced in that year and the school became coeducational. The overcrowding led to many complaints by interested organizations who demanded that a suitable building be provided for the Toronto Technical School . A harassed city council finally appointed a committee to find a new site. Tech currently holds 2,500 students.
About this time, the Toronto Athletic Club got into financial difficulties and its property was put up for sale. This was the building known as the Stewart Building on the south side of College St., which until recently housed the Ontario College of Art. The Technical School Board purchased it in 1900 for $80,000 plus back taxes, and agreed to raise a further $10,000 to convert it into a school. The first Art Department in the school was formed by putting a partition across the pool; sculpture was taught in the deep end of the tank and all the other art classes in the remaining area.
Day classes began in 1901 with 151 students, while the attendance at night school continued to soar with 1,710 students registered. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the school was the highly professional staff under the capable leadership of Dr. William Pakenham, who was principal from 1901 until June, 1907.
The period from 1900 to 1910 was one of great industrial growth in Canada and it soon became obvious that if Canada were to hold an influential place in world markets, a skilled labour force, backed by trained technicians, was a prime necessity. With this goal in mind, the Dominion Government requested Dr. John Seath to prepare a report on “Education for Industrial Purposes”. This report finally appeared in 1911. However, this is one instance where the City of Toronto was ahead of its time. Since 1907, it had been considering a site for a fine new technical school to be constructed as a purely civic enterprise. Finally, after many changes of mind, the present location was selected in 1912 and an agreement drawn up to permit the closing of Herrick Street between Lippincott and Borden Streets.
The Board of Education appointed Dr. A.C. McKay as principal in June, 1911. Most of the solid foundation of technical education in Toronto can be justly ascribed to the work of this man; indeed, had subsequent Boards adhered to his original plans, the system would have been even better. A former professor of physics at U. of T., a chancellor of McMaster, and an experienced teacher in both elementary and secondary schools, Dr. McKay was a man with a great vision of technical education.
Dr. McKay began his plans for Central Tech by first visiting the great polytechnical schools of Europe. He returned with very definite ideas about the kind of building he wanted and immediately announced a competition open to all architects. The competition was won by Ross and Macfarlane
Ross and Macdonald
Ross and Macdonald was one of Canada's most notable architecture firms in the early 20th century. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the firm originally operated as a partnership between George Allen Ross and David MacFarlane from 1907 to 1912. MacFarlane retired in 1913, and Robert Henry Macdonald...
of Montreal. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on September 3, 1913, by Robert Borden
Robert Borden
Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC, GCMG, KC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911 to July 10, 1920, and was the third Nova Scotian to hold this office...
, Prime Minister of Canada.
This building, with several expansions, remains the school’s home to this day.Features originally incorporated in the building include the crest over the main entrance of the school, the coat of arms of the City of Toronto. Central Tech is the only school that has the privilege of using this crest; it is due to the fact that the citizens of Toronto paid for the school without the aid of other levels of government.
The “ribbon” across the bottom of the crest carries the legend “Industry, Intelligence, and Integrity”. These qualities have always characterized our top graduates. The two capitals that top the columns supporting the main entrance arch presented a bit of a problem. The Scottish stonemasons who build the school wanted to make their own contribution to the building and they felt that the standard Gothic caps would lack interest. As their gift, they carved the two gnomes that surmount the columns. The one is dressed in academic cap and gown and is busy writing in a book, thus representing the academic side of the school. The second gnome is in the ancient garb of a journeyman working with hammer and chisel, representing the technical side of the school.
The Exhibition Room, 208, with its fine paneling and fireplace, was a gift from the builder at no cost to the citizens. The principal’ s office occupied the whole of Room 202 It was beautifully paneled in dark red mahogany with a beamed ceiling and plaster medallions that were masterpieces of the plasterer’s art.
The third floor was known as “C” floor and was reserved for the females. No male was allowed on this floor at any time except to go to the “lunch room” which occupied the corner and that part of the north corridor now given over to electronics. Segregation by sex was the order of the day and certain doors and stairs were reserved for use by females only.
The auditorium has always been the focus of school activities. Central was one of the last schools to give up the tradition of daily opening exercises for the whole school.
The auditorium was the scene of the official opening of the school on the evening of Tuesday, August 31, 1915 . Some thirty-six years later, on the morning of April 20, 1951, its doors were locked for the last time and the keys turned over to the contractors to begin its conversion into a gymnasium.
The school gradually became more focused on educating the youth with the adult education programs being moved to other schools in the late 1930s. In 1915 there were approximately 750 ”scholars”. With an expected increase in student population the school ultimately had to expand. In 1932 to accommodate the increasing number of aircraft students, the city bought a garage, “the Annex”, at 844 Bathurst Street . It proved insufficient and in l951 a major addition was erected on the south side replacing the girls’ playing field. This new wing included aircraft and auto mechanic facilities, a new auditorium, and a cafeteria.
Ten years later a separate addition was built on the boys’ playing field on the north side of the main building. It was to house the increasing number of art students who were overcrowded on the fifth floor of the main building (now the Mathematics Department). Much honour has been bestowed upon the architecture of the building and the high quality of work produced therein.
Still another building was added in 1967 on the northwest corner of the campus. Referred to as the Bathurst Building it contains numerous shops, two gymnasia and an Olympic size swimming pool.
The latest addition has been a large Uniroyal track. These additions replaced a tennis court, a small park, and a playing field on the entire west side block. Today the high school campus, one of the largest in the British Empire is a mixture of contrasting architecture: the collegiate gothic of the original building, and the ultramodern of the Art Centre and Bathurst buildings.
Much honour was bestowed on the school concerning Central Tech’s group efforts. Among these were the Cadet Corps, the football team and later in the 30’s and 40’s the track team. Another highlight was the installment of the memorial organ. Originally built as a memorial to the unfortunate students who lost their lives in the First World War, it soon became an integral part of the school.
War Effort
During the Second World War, Central Tech’s extensive facilities were put to use in the war effort. The school was operated 24 hours a day. The day students attended from nine to three-thirty and from four p.m. to seven-thirty a.m. emergency classes were in progress. These classes were under the supervision of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Army and Navy. They involved marching drills, wireless operating, aircraft mechanics, tank repair and related subjects. Central Tech had the great honour of not only helping the community but the whole country.Arts Program
Its visual arts program was especially renowned with graduates such as Lawren HarrisLawren Harris
Lawren Stewart Harris, CC was a Canadian painter. He was born in Brantford, Ontario and is best known as a member the Group of Seven who pioneered a distinctly Canadian painting style in the early twentieth century. A. Y. Jackson has been quoted as saying that Harris provided the stimulus for the...
, Terry Mosher
Terry Mosher
Christopher Terry Mosher, OC is a Canadian political cartoonist for the Montreal Gazette. He draws under the name "Aislin", a rendition of the name of his eldest daughter Aislinn ....
, and Aba Bayefsky
Aba Bayefsky
Aba Bayefsky, CM was a Canadian artist and teacher.He was born in Toronto, the second son of a Russian-born father and a Scottish-born mother, he studied at the Central Technical School...
.
Sports
Track & FieldThe fact that Central Tech had the only school track with a proper running surface may have led to its undeniable success in track and field. This culminated in the decade of the eighties. In 1983 Central Tech set a boys record for points in a provincal championships with an astounding 133 points.
Grant Hoffman s
]
http://ofsaa-track.yolasite.com/
Mike S
http://www.mehockrelays.com/
Leroy Keane
Leroy Keane
Leroy Orville Barrington Keane was a Jamaican National Champion and an All American track and field athlete at the University of Nebraska. His son Martin Keane was a former Canadian professional basketball player....
Atlee Mahorn
Atlee Mahorn
Atlee Anthony Mahorn is a three-time Canadian Olympic sprinter. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley and holds an MBA in International Business....
Film Location
Several films have utilized the school as a location, including Good Will HuntingGood Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting is a 1997 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård...
, Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a Canadian-British 2004 science fiction action horror film directed by Alexander Witt, from a screenplay written by producer Paul W.S. Anderson...
, Class of 1984
Class of 1984
Class of 1984 is a 1982 action-thriller movie about a newly hired music teacher at a troubled inner city school, where students have to pass through a metal detector due to problems with gangs, drugs, and violence. It was directed by Mark L...
and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D
Silent Hill: Revelation 3D
Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is an upcoming American 3D horror film due to release in 2012. Written and directed by Michael J. Bassett, Revelation 3D is based on the survival horror video game Silent Hill 3 and a sequel to the horror film Silent Hill, which is an adaptation of the survival horror...
.
Notable alumni
- Adriano BelliAdriano BelliAdriano Belli is a former defensive tackle in the Canadian Football League. Belli is nicknamed "The Kissing Bandit" for his penchant for kissing people on their cheeks...
, CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
player for the Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta... - Tristan BlackTristan BlackTristan Black is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the second round of the 2009 CFL Draft. Black was traded to the Argonauts on August 22, 2010. He played college football for the Wayne...
, CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
player for the Calgary StampedersCalgary StampedersThe Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium... - Micheal Smith, Canadian Decathlete CBC broadcaster for Athletic events
- Sydney NewmanSydney NewmanSydney Cecil Newman, OC was a Canadian film and television producer, who played a pioneering role in British television drama from the late 1950s to the late 1960s...
, Television and Film producer
Incidents
On September 30, 2010, around 1:00 pm EST there was a confrontation between 4 students, at least one gunshot was fired from a semi-automatic pistol. The school was placed under lockdown until 4:45 PM EST. Two suspects were apprehended by the Toronto Police ServiceToronto Police Service
The Toronto Police Service , formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Police, is the police service for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police...
but were not charged, one fled and was sought as a suspect until 7:30 pm EST when he was taken into custody. It was discovered he was a victim. One teen currently remains to be apprehended. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt or killed.