History of Cochrane High School

by Betty Lou Gilbert and Gordon Davies

Cochrane High School came into existence in December of 1962. Up to this time, students were educated in Andrew Sibbald School and in the old red brick school building beside it. Andrew Sibbald School was reserved for Grades 1-9 with the brick building housing Grades 10-12.

Prior to the construction of Andrew Sibbald School in 1956, Grades 1-12 were housed in the old brick building which had four classrooms on the upper floor. On the lower floor was found one classroom and two large play areas as well as furnace room and washrooms. Because there were not enough students and/or there were not enough qualified teachers, often Grade 12 students had to go to Mount Royal College to complete their senior matriculation. This arrangement ended in 1959 as the population of Cochrane began to grow.

The Board of Cochrane School district #142 approved the construction of Cochrane High School. The students and staff moved into the building in December of 1962. At this time the building consisted of 6 classrooms and a gymnasium. There were 6 teachers on staff - 5 men and 1 woman. There were a total of 106 students, distributed as follows:

Grade 12 - 22
Grade 11 - 30
Grade 10 - 32
Grade 9 - 22

On January 1st, 1966 the schools in Cochrane became a part of Calgary Rural School Division #41 (later to become Rocky View School Division #41).

The first addition to the original building was opened in 1967. It consisted of the home Economics room, Industrial Arts room, Biology lab, library and typing room. A portable building with 2 classrooms was situated at the south end of the original wing.

1970 saw the opening of another new wing on the original building. This was known as the west wing which housed a staff room, infirmary, washrooms, typing room and 5 classrooms. As well, another portable was positioned alongside this new wing. It housed the French classes until it became a band room in 1974. During construction of the west wing, a particularly strong chinook wind managed to blow down the north wall which had to be rebuilt from scratch. This wing primarily housed the Junior High school students which were a part of the school until 1975.

By 1985 the school was old enough to warrant a complete renovation - the building was gutted and modernized. As well a considerable addition was added which opened in 1986. The existing Home Economics room was enlarged as well as the Industrial Arts area. The old gymnasium was converted into a library, drama room and band room. As well the present gymnasium was built as was a physics lab, biology lab, a lunch-study area and an administration area which included guidance offices.

8 relocatables were added to the northwest corner of the north wing in 1990. English and Second Languages classes were centered here. 1990 saw the return of Grade 9 students to the high school. The student and staff population grew enormously as a result.

1992 saw the opening of a second story built on the west wing. This area houses primarily mathematics. A mechanics and commercial food area was added this year and an I.O.P. program initiated.

In 1996 more relocatables were added to those on the north-west corner and a new hallway was joined to the west wing which improved student movement in the building.

Renovation returned full circle in 1996 with the transformation of the original 6 classrooms into an administrative area. As well, an extensive addition was added including the following areas: science labs, drama room, multi-purpose area, 3 relocatable classrooms, cafeteria/student lounge area and library expansion.

 

J.C. Macdonell, 1963

1962 - 1966

J.C. Macdonell, Principal
Betty Lou Gilbert, Vice Principal

1966 - 1969
Bill Brookes, Principal
Betty Lou Gilbert, Vice Principal

Betty Lou Gilbert, 1973

1969 - 1971
Roman Piowar, Principal
Betty Lou Gilbert, Vice Principal

1971 - 1974
Betty Lou Gilbert, Principal
Gordon Davies, Vice Principal

Stan Gibson, 1974

1974 - 1976
Stan Gibson, Principal
Don Thomas, Vice Principal

1976 - 1977
Stan Gibson, Principal
Lawrence Head, Vice Principal

Denise Burt, 1977

1977 - 1978
Stan Gibson, Principal
Denise Burt, Vice Principal

1978 - 1979
Denise Burt, Acting Principal
Kern Bradbury, Acting Vice Principal

Alf G. Gould, 1987

1979 - 1980 1987 - 1988
Alf Gould, Principal                             Alf Gould, Principal
Denise Burt, Vice Principal                 Wayne Harlton, Vice Principal

1980 - 1981
Alf Gould, Principal
Denise Burt, Vice Principal (1st semester)
Jim Barnhart, Vice Principal (2nd semester)

1981 - 1987
Alf Gould, Principal
Jim Barnhart, Vice Principal

Rick McDonald

1988 - 1989
Rick McDonald, Principal            
Wayne Harlton, Vice Principal

1989 - 1993
Rick McDonald, Principal
Wayne Harlton, Asst. Principa
Don Leard, Asst. Principal

1993 - 1996
Rick McDonald, Principal
Don Leard, Asst. Principal
Dan Cooney, Asst. Principal

1996 - 1998
Rick McDonald, Principal
Dan Cooney, Assistant Principal
Frank Hennessey, Vice Principal
Sherry Sorensen, Vice Principal

1999 - 2000
Rick McDonald, Principal
Dan Cooney, Assistant Principal
Frank Hennessey, Vice Principal
Neil Comba, Vice Principal

2000 - 2001
Rick McDonald, Principal
Frank Hennessey, Vice Principal
Sherry Sorensen, Vice Principal

Chris Lees 2001-2010

2001 - 2007
Chris Lees, Principal
Frank Hennessey, Vice Principal
Sherry Sorensen, Vice Principal

2007-2010
Chris Lees, Principal
Murray Arnold, Vice Principal
Shirley Pepper, Vice Principal

Susan Poole 2010 - 2014

2010 - 2013
Susan Poole, Principal
Murray Arnold, Vice Principal
Shirley Pepper, Vice Principal

2013 - 2014

Susan Poole, Principal

Anne Kromm, Assistant Principal

Shirley Pepper, Assistant Principal

Shirley Pepper Acting 2014 - 2015

2014-2015

Shirley Pepper, Acting Principal

Anne Kromm, Assistant Principal

Jim Reilly, Acting Assistant Principal

2015 - 2016

Ed Polhill 2015 - Present

Ed Polhill, Principal

Tracy Lyons, Assistant Principal

Glen Brooker, Assistant Principal

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