Coronation Public School

Coronation School, built in 1953, was appropriately named by the Board of Education in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in June of that year.

It was designed by Architect J. D. Kyles of Hamilton and built on a four and one quarter acre site which was purchased from Mr. E. G. Langs. The original one storey building consisting of five classrooms, a kindergarten, a principal’s office, a combination teacher’s room, nurses’ room and kitchen, an auditorium and necessary washrooms was built by Hamill Construction of Galt for $148,000.

On November 12, 1953 Coronation Public School on Concession Road was officially dedicated at the opening ceremonies held in the auditorium of the new school. Parents of the children and members representing various municipal bodies taxed the new auditorium to its capacity. The Rev. H.G. Cleghorn, of Knox Presbyterian Church, representing the Preston Clergy, performed the invocation and dedication. Chairman Sydney Freeman on be half of the Board of Education welcomed the guests. E.H. Drage chairman of the building committee was given able assistance by other board members, Wm. Blake, Mrs. A. Sullivan, Leslie Hird, Robin Shantz, Robert McCormack, and secretary-treasurer, Mrs. E.K. Wilkens. Representing the town of Preston Mayor Ford I. Wilson, in congratulating the Board of Education and the contractor said, ” We have come a long way since the days of the old school house”. Mr. R.M. Myers, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Waterloo South appropriately stated, ” We perhaps tend to think of school as only a place to learn but the future of Canada really depends on what knowledge the children acquire at school”.