School Events
Each year many special events occur at our school. The following is a list of some of the exciting events that occur through the year.Welcome Back Breakfast | Roots of Empathy | 7 Habits of being Green |
Christmas Events | Peer Support
| Hillbilly Day |
Make and Take Nights | Education Week Activities | Noon Intramurals |
Math Fair | Terry Fox Run | Choir |
Book Fair | Monthly Hot Lunch Sale | Education Week |
Spring Fun Run | June Celebration Day |
|
School History
Due to extensive oil activity in our area during the fifties, the population of Rocky Mountain House grew to such an extent that a new elementary school was desperately needed. Consequently, in 1959, construction of an eight room school, Lochearn Elementary School, was begun in a newly acquired subdivision in the north-west corner of Rocky.
Now the name Lochearn has an interesting history. Initially we thought it must be the name of some local official or person who contributed greatly to the town. However, we have discovered that the name resulted from an effort to have our entire community renamed "Loc Ernie" by a Mr. J. Grant McGregor, the Chief Engineer of the Alberta Central Railway. His company was competing in the building of a railway to reach the Brazeau Collieries at Nordegg.
Fortunately, the name was withdrawn but several locations (parks, gas plants, and our school) were named as a result.
On September 19th, 1960, 243 students, grades 1 to 8 inclusive, and eight teachers began a new year in a new school, Lochearn Elementary.
The staff was comprised of Mr. Henry Orava, Principal, Mrs. Lois Killian, Vice-Principal, Mrs. Anne Switzer, Mrs. Peggy Scott, Mrs. Joyce Orava, Mrs. Margaret Hanson, Mrs. Ila Jackson, and Mrs. Margaret Martin.
In the fall of 1961, the students in grade 7 and 8 were transferred to the high school and Lochearn inherited an extra class each of grade 5 and 6.
As the population continued to grow, Lochearn was soon surrounded by new homes and the school was soon overflowing. In the summer of 1970, construction began on new offices, washrooms, two single and one team-teaching classrooms. A new gymnasium was also added while the original gym served as a team-teaching area. In January of 1971, it became the present Library.
Again in 1980, more space was required and two classrooms were added to the north end of the building. Continuing increases in enrolment resulted in the addition of a classroom in 1991, and then in 1992 the addition of two new classrooms, and the construction of a new office, and staff room area culminated a major renovation.
Through the years many teachers and students have thought of Lochearn School as "my school." Numbers have fluctuated between 240 and 430, but a congenial "family" atmosphere has been retained. There have been many changes in education during the 50 year history of Lochearn School, yet the purpose of the school remains the same: to provide the best possible learning atmosphere for the children.
(image from amazon.ca)
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