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The old and new St. Martin Catholic School, Vegreville
Darlene Choma
It all began 100 years ago when the Daughters of Providence, a religious community from France, arrived in Vegreville and formed St. Martin’s Catholic Separate School District.
In January 1907, the first students arrived and attended class in the church rectory. The following year, the Convent of Immaculate Conception was built and served as both a residence for the sisters and a school. In 1914, a brick school was built which is still used today as part of St. Martin’s Catholic School. 1958 saw the construction of a new gymnasium and a new wing was added to the original brick school in 1981. In 1965, St. Mary’s School was built. In 1991, a gymnasium was constructed and the following year classrooms were renovated in the older part of the school. This year, parts of the school were painted and new flooring was added in the library.
The school’s administrators are Margit Varga, who has served as principal for the past five years, and Rae Molzan, who has been the vice-principal for two years. Together they work with staff, students, parents and members of the clergy to provide quality education that is enhanced by the Catholic faith. There are approximately 290 students and 30 staff at St. Martin’s Catholic School, which is part of Elk Island Catholic Schools.
The school’s centennial celebrations, which took place during the week of April 30–May 4, featured dignitaries, special guests, a pancake breakfast, a food bank collection drive, a birthday party complete with hats, a student art show, a Powerpoint presentation of Catholic education in Vegreville, and the unveiling of a mosaic mural created by students and staff. The week’s events culminated with Jump Rope for Heart. This is the 19th year that St. Martin’s Catholic School has participated in this event and it raised $16,801.56. Over 19 years, the school has raised an amazing grand total of $173,284.57 dollars for the Heart and Stroke Foundation!
By week’s end, hundreds of people had celebrated a century of Catholic education in Vegreville. We will continue our work to reflect the teachings of Christ and are dedicated to helping children prepare for a life of service through the unity of church, family and school. We are proud of our history and pray for continued Catholic education in Vegreville for many more years to come.
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