École élémentaire Marie-Curie
Encyclopedia
École élémentaire Marie-Curie is a public French
first language elementary school in London
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is located in north-west end of London on Hunt Club Drive. Opened in 1972 it was originally the "London French School" and located on King Street in downtown London. The school was renamed "École Alexandra", after Princess Alexandra
, but was simply known as "École". Today the school serves from junior kindergarten
–6, in 1999, grades 7 and 8 were moved to École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
when the high school relocated to its present site.
In the early 1990s the then-principal, Jean-Claude Imbeault, made a number of changes to the school. He changed the school colours from blue and white, to black, silver and white; had the school renamed to "École élémentaire Marie-Curie"; gave it a new logo and a motto "Savoir faire et bien faire"; and, most significantly, created a plan for a multicultural school population.
London has an extremely small francophone population; however, it qualifies for French language services under the French Language Services Act, and also qualifies to have French schools.
While this was the first French language elementary school in London, there are now five elementary schools (another public school and three catholic schools), two French high schools and one community centre.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
first language elementary school in London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located in north-west end of London on Hunt Club Drive. Opened in 1972 it was originally the "London French School" and located on King Street in downtown London. The school was renamed "École Alexandra", after Princess Alexandra
Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha , was the fourth child and third daughter of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia...
, but was simply known as "École". Today the school serves from junior kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
–6, in 1999, grades 7 and 8 were moved to École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont
École secondaire Gabriel-Dumont is the public French first language high school in London, Ontario, Canada. It is located in north-east London on Huron Street, in le Centre Desloges . CDL also hosts the Catholic French high school , the Franco-Ontarian community centre in London, and a Catholic...
when the high school relocated to its present site.
In the early 1990s the then-principal, Jean-Claude Imbeault, made a number of changes to the school. He changed the school colours from blue and white, to black, silver and white; had the school renamed to "École élémentaire Marie-Curie"; gave it a new logo and a motto "Savoir faire et bien faire"; and, most significantly, created a plan for a multicultural school population.
London has an extremely small francophone population; however, it qualifies for French language services under the French Language Services Act, and also qualifies to have French schools.
While this was the first French language elementary school in London, there are now five elementary schools (another public school and three catholic schools), two French high schools and one community centre.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni include:- Jeffrey ButtleJeffrey ButtleJeffrey Buttle is a Canadian figure skater. He is the 2006 Winter Olympics bronze medalist, the 2008 World champion, the 2002 & 2004 Four Continents champion and the 2005-2007 Canadian champion. On March 22, 2008, Buttle became the first Canadian man since Elvis Stojko in 1997 to win the World Title...
, figure skater - Jordan PrenticeJordan PrenticeJordan Prentice is a Canadian dwarf actor. He is known for his portrayal of Rock in American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile and Jimmy in the Oscar-nominated In Bruges. He was also one of the actors to play Howard the Duck...
, dwarf actor
External links
- École élémentaire Marie-Curie (in French)
- L'Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) (in French)
- ACFO-London-Sarnia (in French)