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'''Pictou Academy''' ('''PA'''), founded in [[1816]] by [[Dr. Thomas McCulloch]], is a [[secondary school]] in [[Pictou, Nova Scotia]]. Prior to the twentieth century, it was a private school for boys, but is now a public school, teaching grades 9-12. Pictou Academy's current principal is James Ryan. [[The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation]], established in [[1916]], provides additional funds to the school. The current(2006-7) student council executives are Marc-Andre MacLeod, president, and Amy McKenzie, vice-president.
'''Pictou Academy''' ('''PA'''), founded in [[1816]] by [[Dr. Thomas McCulloch]], is a [[secondary school]] in [[Pictou, Nova Scotia]]. Prior to the twentieth century, it was a liberal nonsectarian college, a grammar school, an academy and then a secondary school. Pictou Academy's current principal is James Ryan. [[The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation]], established in [[1916]], provides additional funds to the school. The current(2006-7)student council executives are Marc-Andre MacLeod, president, and Amy McKenzie, vice-president.


== History ==
== History ==
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On [[March 25]], [[1816]], the [[Nova Scotia House of Assembly]] passed a bill to found Pictou Academy.
On [[March 25]], [[1816]], the [[Nova Scotia House of Assembly]] passed a bill to found Pictou Academy.


[[Thomas McCulloch]] ([[1776]] - [[1843]]) was the first principal ([[1816]] - [[1837]]). He was a Presbyterian minister ordained in the Secessionist church in [[Scotland]] and he arrived in [[Pictou]] in [[1803]]. By [[1806]], he had written about the need for a college; [[University of King's College|King's]], the one college in [[Nova Scotia]] at this time, was open to only 20% of the population. McCulloch wanted a non sectarian college that would train local ministers and offer to all a liberal scientific curriculum modeled on the [[University of Glasgow]].
[[Thomas McCulloch]] ([[1776]] - [[1843]]), the first principal ([[1816]] - [[1837]]), was a Presbyterian minister ordained in the Secessionist church in [[Scotland]]. He arrived in [[Pictou]] in [[1803]] and by [[1806]], he had written about the need for a college because [[University of King's College|King's]], the one college in [[Nova Scotia]] at that time, was open to only 20% of the population. McCulloch wanted a non sectarian college that would train local ministers and offer to all a liberal scientific curriculum modeled on the [[University of Glasgow]].


In 1806 he opened a school in his own house and the excellence of his teaching drew students from Nova Scotia and beyond, but it was not until 1816 that Pictou Academy was opened.
In 1806 he opened a school in his own house and the excellence of his teaching drew students from Nova Scotia and beyond, but it was not until 1816 that Pictou Academy was opened. McCulloch began to build up its library and collected insect and bird specimens for a natural history museum. This collection was so extensive that [[John James Audubon]], in a visit in [[1833]], called it "The finest private collection in North America."

McCulloch began to build up its library and collected insect and bird specimens for a natural history museum. This collection was so extensive that [[John James Audubon]], in a visit in [[1833]], called it "The finest private collection in North America."


Throughout his years as principal, McCulloch had a constant struggle with government funding, trustees, the status of the Academy, and religious groups, both in Pictou and the province. For many years, the [[Legislative Assembly]] approved a grant for the Academy but the [[Privy Council]] rejected or reduced the grant. McCulloch fought vigorously for his ideas but by [[1837]] he was in a very difficult position and left the Academy to become the first principal of the new [[Dalhousie University|Dalhousie College]] in [[Halifax]].
Throughout his years as principal, McCulloch had a constant struggle with government funding, trustees, the status of the Academy, and religious groups, both in Pictou and the province. For many years, the [[Legislative Assembly]] approved a grant for the Academy but the [[Privy Council]] rejected or reduced the grant. McCulloch fought vigorously for his ideas but by [[1837]] he was in a very difficult position and left the Academy to become the first principal of the new [[Dalhousie University|Dalhousie College]] in [[Halifax]].
Line 56: Line 54:
The Academy went through several phases. To [[1831]] it was a college but after this, a grammar school was added to the college. By [[1842]], the school had female students and had its college status taken away making it a grammar school only. The school's enrollment ranged widely over the years but by the 1870s, with the changes in school policies in Nova Scotia, the Academy was flourishing and became a model secondary institution with excellent facilities and higher grants. Students passed exams to enter the Academy which was free to county students. From the beginning, the plan was to keep fees low, and some students did attend for free during the early years.
The Academy went through several phases. To [[1831]] it was a college but after this, a grammar school was added to the college. By [[1842]], the school had female students and had its college status taken away making it a grammar school only. The school's enrollment ranged widely over the years but by the 1870s, with the changes in school policies in Nova Scotia, the Academy was flourishing and became a model secondary institution with excellent facilities and higher grants. Students passed exams to enter the Academy which was free to county students. From the beginning, the plan was to keep fees low, and some students did attend for free during the early years.


The emphasis on an academic curriculum with competition and examinations led to Pictou Academy students taking a larger proportion of prizes and bursaries than any other academy in the province. By [[1885]] it was the largest secondary school in Nova Scotia with students who came from across the province as well as from other countries. As a result, the Academy has a long list of famous graduates in all walks of life.
The emphasis on an academic curriculum with competition and examinations led to Pictou Academy students taking a larger proportion of prizes and bursaries than any other academy in the province. By [[1885]] it was the largest secondary school in Nova Scotia with students coming from across the province as well as from other countries. As a result, the Academy has a long list of famous graduates in all walks of life.


Many gifts and prizes were left to Pictou Academy by its students and others and in [[1916]], the centenary committee took on a role of continuing support. In [[1919]], the committee incorporated itself into the PA Augmentation Fund. Later on, it became [[The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation]]
Many gifts and prizes were left to Pictou Academy by its students and others and in [[1916]], the centenary committee took on a role of continuing support. In [[1919]], the committee incorporated itself into the PA Augmentation Fund. Later on, it became [[The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation]]
Line 72: Line 70:
==Sports==
==Sports==


The students of Pictou Academy are locally renouned as sports enthusiasts. The school has over twenty different teams, all of which are funded by the school. Among the sports partaken in by the student body are:
The students of Pictou Academy are locally renowned as sports enthusiasts. The school has over twenty different teams, all of which are funded by the school. Among the sports partaken in by the student body are:


*Cross-country
*Cross-country
Line 94: Line 92:
==References==
==References==


*{{cite journal
| first = | last =
| title = Concordia University
| journal = The Canadian Encyclopedia
| year = 2006
| url = http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001836
}}
*{{cite journal
| first = | last =
| title = Judges of the Court
| journal = Supreme Court of Canada Official Autobiography
| year = 2004
| url = http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/aboutcourt/judges/ritchie/index_e.asp
}}
*{{cite journal
*{{cite journal
| first = | last =
| first = | last =
Line 114: Line 98:
| year = 2003
| year = 2003
| url = http://www.union.edu/Presidents/day.php
| url = http://www.union.edu/Presidents/day.php
}}
}}
*{{cite journal
*{{cite book
| first = | last =
| first = George | last = MacLaren
| title = Dawson, Sir John William
| title = The Pictou book: Stories of our past
| publisher = Hector Pub
| journal = Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
| location = New Glassgow, Nova Scotia
| year = 2000
| year = 1954
| url = http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=40181
| id =
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| first = Anne | last = Wood
| first = J. P. | last = MacPhie
| title = Pictonians at home and abroad: Sketches of professional men and women of Pictou County -- its history and institutions
| title = Pictou Academy in the nineteenth century
| publisher = Author
| publisher = Pinkham Press
| location = Pictou, Nova Scotia
| location = Boston, Massachusetts
| year = 1997
| year = 1914
| id =
| id =
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| first = Marjory | last = Whitelaw
| first = George | last = Patterson
| title = Thomas McCulloch: His life and times
| title = A history of the County of Pictou, Nova Scotia, 1824-1897
| publisher = Nova Scotia Museum
| publisher = Mika Studio
| location = Halifax, Nova Scotia
| location = Belleville, Ontario
| year = 1985
| year = 1972
| id =
| id =
}}
}}
Line 147: Line 132:
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| first = George | last = Patterson
| first = Marjory | last = Whitelaw
| title = A history of the County of Pictou, Nova Scotia, 1824-1897
| title = Thomas McCulloch: His life and times
| publisher = Mika Studio
| publisher = Nova Scotia Museum
| location = Belleville, Ontario
| location = Halifax, Nova Scotia
| year = 1972
| year = 1985
| id =
| id =
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| first = George | last = MacLaren
| first = Anne | last = Wood
| title = The Pictou book: Stories of our past
| title = Pictou Academy in the nineteenth century
| publisher = Hector Pub
| publisher = Author
| location = New Glassgow, Nova Scotia
| location = Pictou, Nova Scotia
| year = 1954
| year = 1997
| id =
| id =
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite journal
| first = J. P. | last = MacPhie
| first = | last =
| title = Concordia University
| title = Pictonians at home and abroad: Sketches of professional men and women of Pictou County -- its history and institutions
| journal = The Canadian Encyclopedia
| publisher = Pinkham Press
| year = 2006
| location = Boston, Massachusetts
| url = http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001836
| year = 1914
}}
| id =
*{{cite journal
| first = | last =
| title = Dawson, Sir John William
| journal = Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
| year = 2000
| url = http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=40181
}}
*{{cite journal
| first = | last =
| title = Judges of the Court
| journal = Supreme Court of Canada Official Autobiography
| year = 2004
| url = http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/aboutcourt/judges/ritchie/index_e.asp
}}
}}



Revision as of 21:06, 30 April 2007

Pictou Academy
Address
Map
88 Patterson Street

, ,
B0K 1H0
Information
School typeSecondary School
MottoConcordia Salus
(Harmony and Good Health)
Founded1816
School boardChignecto - Central Regional School Board
SuperintendentDr. Noel Hurley
Area trusteeVivian Farrell
AdministratorJames Ryan
PrincipalJames Ryan
Grades9-12
Enrollment196 (September 2006)
LanguageEnglish
Colour(s)Red and White
MascotPitbull
Team namePictou Academy Pitbulls
WebsitePictou Academy
Last updated: December 20 2006

Pictou Academy (PA), founded in 1816 by Dr. Thomas McCulloch, is a secondary school in Pictou, Nova Scotia. Prior to the twentieth century, it was a liberal nonsectarian college, a grammar school, an academy and then a secondary school. Pictou Academy's current principal is James Ryan. The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation, established in 1916, provides additional funds to the school. The current(2006-7)student council executives are Marc-Andre MacLeod, president, and Amy McKenzie, vice-president.

History

On March 25, 1816, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly passed a bill to found Pictou Academy.

Thomas McCulloch (1776 - 1843), the first principal (1816 - 1837), was a Presbyterian minister ordained in the Secessionist church in Scotland. He arrived in Pictou in 1803 and by 1806, he had written about the need for a college because King's, the one college in Nova Scotia at that time, was open to only 20% of the population. McCulloch wanted a non sectarian college that would train local ministers and offer to all a liberal scientific curriculum modeled on the University of Glasgow.

In 1806 he opened a school in his own house and the excellence of his teaching drew students from Nova Scotia and beyond, but it was not until 1816 that Pictou Academy was opened. McCulloch began to build up its library and collected insect and bird specimens for a natural history museum. This collection was so extensive that John James Audubon, in a visit in 1833, called it "The finest private collection in North America."

Throughout his years as principal, McCulloch had a constant struggle with government funding, trustees, the status of the Academy, and religious groups, both in Pictou and the province. For many years, the Legislative Assembly approved a grant for the Academy but the Privy Council rejected or reduced the grant. McCulloch fought vigorously for his ideas but by 1837 he was in a very difficult position and left the Academy to become the first principal of the new Dalhousie College in Halifax.

The Academy went through several phases. To 1831 it was a college but after this, a grammar school was added to the college. By 1842, the school had female students and had its college status taken away making it a grammar school only. The school's enrollment ranged widely over the years but by the 1870s, with the changes in school policies in Nova Scotia, the Academy was flourishing and became a model secondary institution with excellent facilities and higher grants. Students passed exams to enter the Academy which was free to county students. From the beginning, the plan was to keep fees low, and some students did attend for free during the early years.

The emphasis on an academic curriculum with competition and examinations led to Pictou Academy students taking a larger proportion of prizes and bursaries than any other academy in the province. By 1885 it was the largest secondary school in Nova Scotia with students coming from across the province as well as from other countries. As a result, the Academy has a long list of famous graduates in all walks of life.

Many gifts and prizes were left to Pictou Academy by its students and others and in 1916, the centenary committee took on a role of continuing support. In 1919, the committee incorporated itself into the PA Augmentation Fund. Later on, it became The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation

The first building was constructed in 1818 and was used until 1879. A second, larger building opened in 1880 but burned in 1895. The third building also burned and Pictou Academy's current building opened in 1940.

Not only was Pictou Academy an important educational institution, but "Over it was fought the battle of the nineteenth century against unconstitutional government and religious intolerance. It was largely over the rights and wrongs of the Academy more than any other question that the fight was waged and won for responsible government in Nova Scotia." (MacPhie, 1914, p.135)

Traditions

  • The Breakup: One of Pictou Academy's oldests traditions is The Breakup. Unlike other secondary/high schools PA doesn't have a prom but celebrate The Breakup instead. It's a time when all the graduates come together for their final dance as a class. Although other grade levels (ten and eleven) are allowed to attend the night is designed for the grade twelves.
  • The Grand March: Closly tied to The Breakup is The Grand March. All of those couples who will be attending The Breakup arrive in the late afternoon, early evening and line up outside The DeCoste Centre in Pictou. They all move down the walkway arm in arm into the theatre. It's a large event, drawing quite a crowd every year.

Sports

The students of Pictou Academy are locally renowned as sports enthusiasts. The school has over twenty different teams, all of which are funded by the school. Among the sports partaken in by the student body are:

  • Cross-country
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Dragonboat
  • Golf
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Track and Field

Notable Graduates

  • Sir William Dawson was a notable geologist and educator
  • Sir W. J. Ritchie later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
  • Dr. Frank Parker Day was a well-known Canadian author and English Professor. He became the Academy's first Rhodes Scholar
  • Ada Brownrigg received the first Arts degree awarded to a woman in Canada

References

  • "Frank Parker Day". Presidents of Union College. 2003.
  • MacLaren, George (1954). The Pictou book: Stories of our past. New Glassgow, Nova Scotia: Hector Pub.
  • MacPhie, J. P. (1914). Pictonians at home and abroad: Sketches of professional men and women of Pictou County -- its history and institutions. Boston, Massachusetts: Pinkham Press.
  • Patterson, George (1972). A history of the County of Pictou, Nova Scotia, 1824-1897. Belleville, Ontario: Mika Studio.
  • Sherwood, Roland (1973). Pictou Pioneers: A story of the first hundred years in the history of Pictou town. Hantsport, Nova Scotia: Lancelot Press.
  • Whitelaw, Marjory (1985). Thomas McCulloch: His life and times. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Museum.
  • Wood, Anne (1997). Pictou Academy in the nineteenth century. Pictou, Nova Scotia: Author.
  • "Concordia University". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2006.
  • "Dawson, Sir John William". Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online. 2000.
  • "Judges of the Court". Supreme Court of Canada Official Autobiography. 2004.