William Burgess School is home to over 350 students of diverse backgrounds. Built in 1914, it now has up-to-date classrooms, a computer network, a gymnasium and a library resource centre. We have a vibrant, collegial staff who work together for the success of each and every one of our students.
We have students that represent cultures from countries all over the world; 49.4% of our students speak a language other than English at home. In total, our students and families speak over 35 different languages and come from 25 different countries. The staff at William Burgess come from various cultures as well and reflect the community we are located in. William Burgess is a true microcosm of our multi-cultural city.
We have students that represent cultures from countries all over the world; 49.4% of our students speak a language other than English at home. In total, our students and families speak over 35 different languages and come from 25 different countries. The staff at William Burgess come from various cultures as well and reflect the community we are located in. William Burgess is a true microcosm of our multi-cultural city.
Precious Memories
How precious are the memories That lie beneath the earth? These items left for us to find, How can we know their worth? What stories do they tell? What lessons can we learn? Today we live and dream new dreams Because it’s now our turn. Author: Katherine McKeown Written: March 6, 2014 Ms. Katherine McKeown is currently a teacher with our school. She penned this poem to celebrate the inauguration of our Centennial celebration and the opening of the 1994 time capsule. Thank you Katherine! |
1912: Land purchased for new school at Pape Avenue and Torrens Avenue (part of Maynard property).
1913: Two temporary portables erected at this site.
1914: Todmorden New School opened; 12 rooms. First fireproof school in Canada. Planned by Trustees George T. Davies, John McDonald and William Burgess. Architects: Lindsay, Brydon, and Greig. Construction by Holtby Brothers.
1915: May 27: Official opening. First principal: Hartman Jones.
1915: Oct: Re-named Torrens Avenue School.
1919: Temporary 1913 buildings replaced by one twin portable.
c1920: World War I cannon located at front of school. Removed after 1940.
1922: Apr 28: Official opening of west wing, at 7:30 p.m. "sharp." Name changed to William Burgess School. William Burgess later achieved a record of 40 continuous years as a trustee (1898–1938).
1920s: Two-storey addition with six classrooms and an assembly area in the basement added. Built by J. A. Wickett. Memorial tablet presented to school was unveiled in memory of "the boys" of S.S. No. 27 "who fell" in World War I.
1928: East wing opened; six rooms and a basement. School now had 24 classrooms.
1937: School closed for a month; poliomyelitis epidemic.
1935: Home and School established.
1937: Portables from 1920s dismantled. Two new portables erected.
1940: May: 80th Veterans Guard Cadet Corps (World War I veterans aged 45-65 years) conducted training at the school.
1941: Enrolment of 1,023 pupils. Largest on record.
1943: Secretaries hired by Board. Salary: $13.00 per week.
1944: Western Branch of Boys and Girls Library opened in school. Joint venture of the Kiwanis Club and Board of Education.
1948: Spring: After several name changes (including #1951 East York Kiwanis Club Cadet Corps), the cadet corps, now the Toronto Scottish Regiment Cadet Corps, moved from the school to Fort York Armoury.
1950s: School rented classroom space at Don Mills United Church.
1955: Grades 5 to 8 moved to Westwood Junior High.
1964: Addition of gymnasium with stage; two washrooms; dressing rooms.
1967: Library and two kindergartens added at north end.
Published history: East York; Century of Education, 1856 – 1963. East York, Ont.: 1963. 6 leaves.
Factual history: East York Board of Education. East York Board of Education: 1956. (7 leaves of text and 6 leaves of tables giving school names, area boundaries, trustees, etc.)
William Burgess: our school – your school, then and now, 1914 – 1994. By Robert W. Ogden. East York, Ont.: 1994. 112 p.
Source: http://torontofamilyhistory.org/kingandcountry/tdsb/elementary-s-z
1913: Two temporary portables erected at this site.
1914: Todmorden New School opened; 12 rooms. First fireproof school in Canada. Planned by Trustees George T. Davies, John McDonald and William Burgess. Architects: Lindsay, Brydon, and Greig. Construction by Holtby Brothers.
1915: May 27: Official opening. First principal: Hartman Jones.
1915: Oct: Re-named Torrens Avenue School.
1919: Temporary 1913 buildings replaced by one twin portable.
c1920: World War I cannon located at front of school. Removed after 1940.
1922: Apr 28: Official opening of west wing, at 7:30 p.m. "sharp." Name changed to William Burgess School. William Burgess later achieved a record of 40 continuous years as a trustee (1898–1938).
1920s: Two-storey addition with six classrooms and an assembly area in the basement added. Built by J. A. Wickett. Memorial tablet presented to school was unveiled in memory of "the boys" of S.S. No. 27 "who fell" in World War I.
1928: East wing opened; six rooms and a basement. School now had 24 classrooms.
1937: School closed for a month; poliomyelitis epidemic.
1935: Home and School established.
1937: Portables from 1920s dismantled. Two new portables erected.
1940: May: 80th Veterans Guard Cadet Corps (World War I veterans aged 45-65 years) conducted training at the school.
1941: Enrolment of 1,023 pupils. Largest on record.
1943: Secretaries hired by Board. Salary: $13.00 per week.
1944: Western Branch of Boys and Girls Library opened in school. Joint venture of the Kiwanis Club and Board of Education.
1948: Spring: After several name changes (including #1951 East York Kiwanis Club Cadet Corps), the cadet corps, now the Toronto Scottish Regiment Cadet Corps, moved from the school to Fort York Armoury.
1950s: School rented classroom space at Don Mills United Church.
1955: Grades 5 to 8 moved to Westwood Junior High.
1964: Addition of gymnasium with stage; two washrooms; dressing rooms.
1967: Library and two kindergartens added at north end.
Published history: East York; Century of Education, 1856 – 1963. East York, Ont.: 1963. 6 leaves.
Factual history: East York Board of Education. East York Board of Education: 1956. (7 leaves of text and 6 leaves of tables giving school names, area boundaries, trustees, etc.)
William Burgess: our school – your school, then and now, 1914 – 1994. By Robert W. Ogden. East York, Ont.: 1994. 112 p.
Source: http://torontofamilyhistory.org/kingandcountry/tdsb/elementary-s-z