CELEBRATING OUR PAST
Our History
CREATING OUR FUTURE
A Legacy More Than a Century in the Making
The story of Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School begins long before its doors opened in 1971. It is a story of three schools, generations of remarkable educators and families, and an unbroken belief that young people in Alberta deserve nothing but the very best.
Founding Schools
St. Hilda's School for Girls (1905-1949)
Established in 1905, St. Hilda’s School for Girls had an initial enrollment of 40 girls from various cities and ranches across Alberta.
St. Hildas’ students were challenged to aspire to the highest standards both academically and morally. At the time when most girls’ schools tended to be finishing schools, St. Hilda’s followed the British tradition, training young women in the humanities and exposing them to athletic and outdoor pursuits in the early pioneering days.
After surviving near financial ruin brought on by World War I and the Great Depression, St. Hilda’s School for Girls – the first independent school in Calgary – closed in 1949. Nearly a decade would pass until the spirit that was St. Hilda’s would find a new home and be named Tweedsmuir: An Academic School for Girls.
Strathcona School for Boys (1929-1971)
Strathcona School for Boys first opened its doors in Calgary’s Central Park Library in 1929. The School was named after Donald Alexander Smith who received the title Lord Strathcona for his part in organizing the Canadian Pacific Railway. The School’s location changed twice before it moved to 1232 Riverdale Avenue with an enrollment of 40 students.
With the move came new school grounds that allowed for activities and events like hockey, Prizegiving, and sports day. The students, who thrived in the close-knit environment, received individual attention in their academic development and were challenged to take personal responsibility for the choices they made.
In addition to academics, students had the opportunity to play a wide variety of sports from rugby to football while learning about the importance of participation and sportsmanship. Students from Strathcona School for Boys developed into outstanding young men of character, a lesson which remains a cornerstone of an STS education to this day.
Tweedsmuir: An Academic School for Girls (1959-1971)
Named after Scottish-born John Buchan, noted author and Governor General of Canada, who was entailed Baron Lord Tweedsmuir. The School opened in 1959 with 27 students who were initially taught in the basement of Christ Church in Calgary’s Elbow Park before moving to a house on Elbow Drive
Tweedsmuir students were offered a rigorous academic program and had the opportunity to partake in various artistic and physical endeavours. The School’s enriched curriculum included a balance of natural sciences and the humanities which prepared students for success in their post-secondary studies. Young women were also taught deportment, courtesy, and manners during their years at Tweedsmuir.
By 1968, 110 girls were taught in facilities that were stretched to the limit. It was not long before discussions of amalgamation began between Tweedsmuir: An Academic School for Girls and Strathcona School for Boys.
Construction begins on new School.
1970
STS holds its opening ceremonies on September 18.
1971
The Locke Poetry and Short Story Contest is established.
1972
Mixed gender classes are introduced for the first time
1973
The Essay Contest is established.
1977
A new wing, Anderson Hall, is added to the School doubling the square footage of the School’s academic/resource centres. The new wing cost $2.2 million and expands the library, laboratory space and fine arts department.
1981
“Technology immersion” begins at STS with the purchase of eight Atari and two IBM computers.
1982
W.A. “Sandy” Heard, STS’ first Head of School retires. Former teacher, Peter B. Ditchburn takes over the position.
1983
STS launches its Alumni Association on May 28. The first STS Terry Fox run occurs. Since the initial event, STS has raised more than $630,000 for cancer research. The first Marti McKay week is held in memory of an STS student named Marti, who passed away in 1981.
1984
Lord Strathcona pays his first visit to STS on April 4, as part of celebrations commemorating the centennial of the driving of the last spike in the Canadian Pacific Railway.
1985
Lord Strathcona pays his first visit to STS on April 4, as part of celebrations commemorating the centennial of the driving of the last spike in the Canadian Pacific Railway.
1987
In Calgary’s Olympic year, classes were paused in February, to allow students, parents, faculty, and staff an opportunity to see the Games.
1988
The summer uniform is introduced. Designed by the Grade 5 class of 1987-1988, the uniform is worn in May, June, September and October. First Black Watch Ball was held in the spring at the Pinebrook Golf and Country Club.
1989
STS hosts the CAIS Heads of School Conference, for the first time.
1990
The Quarter Century Building campaign launched to secure funds for the construction of a new Science Wing.
1992
Sir Edmond Hillary dedicates the climbing tower and participates in the annual prize giving ceremony. The official sod turning ceremony takes place for the new Science Wing.
1993
A new Science Wing expansion is completed, and houses biology, chemistry, physics and general science labs, expanded prep-room facility, three additional classrooms and two fully equipped computer labs.
1994
Old Army huts are refurbished to house Outdoor Education and are relocated to make room for the Arts Centre.
1995
The C.A. Smith Arts Centre is dedicated. This 23,000 square foot addition features a 600 +-theatre, a 240-seat cafeteria and four instructional areas for Band, Music, Drama and Art.
1996
Peter B. Ditchburn retires as Head of School, and the Peter B. Ditchburn Library is dedicated.
1997
Cross Family playing fields are dedicated in the spring. Gordon D. Freight is appointed interim Head of School.
1998
The Sandy Heard Sports Centre is completed. Dedicated to Sandy Heard, the first Head of School, this physical fitness facility features an indoor running track, climbing wall, exercise equipment and dance studio.
1999
Tony Macoun becomes Head of School.
2000
The STS Foundation is formed to focus on long-term funding for the School to “ensure the future financial stability of the School.” The Foundation’s founders are: John S. Burns (SSB, ’56), Donald J.A. Cross (SSB, ’47), E. David Dover (SSB, ’48), Frederick P. Mannix (SSB, ’56), Ronald M. Mannix (SSB, ’62), David H. McDermid (SSB, ’57) and C. Alan Smith.
2001
On February 1, a Grade 10 Outdoor Education class is caught in a tragic avalanche near Roger’s Pass. Ben Albert, Daniel Arato, Scott Broshko, Alex Pattillo, Michael Shaw, Marissa Staddon, and Jeff Trickett lose their lives. February 1 is now acknowledged as Honour Day at STS, to celebrate them and their legacy.
2003
Dr. Catherine Raaflaub becomes Head of School. Forever Woods is completed as a tribute to our students lost in the avalanche, and remains a cherished place.
2004
STS celebrates the centennial of St. Hilda’s School for Girls. The Forever Woods art sculptures are completed and added in May.
2005
Peter B. Ditchburn returns to STS as Acting Head of School.
2006
Dr. William Jones becomes Head of School. Dr Jones was formerly the Director of Senior School, 1992-1999.
2006
The Black Watch Bistro opens after extensive renovations, funded in part by POSTS.
2008
The re-opening of the Peter B. Ditchburn Library after extensive renovations, funded in part by POSTS.
2010
STS receives authorization to open the Middle Years Program (MYP), making STS an International Baccalaureate continuum school.
2013
2014
The Inspiring Possibilities capital campaign launches.
2015
STS’ first Kindergarten class was added to our school programs.
2017
The grand opening of the new Elementary and Arts and Innovation building. Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt is appointed Head of School.
2018
Outdoor Education Learning campsites, and athletic bleachers and scoreboard are added to the campus. STS pivots all that they do in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
The grand opening of the new Elementary and Arts and Innovation building. Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt is appointed Head of School.
2021
The grand opening of the new Elementary and Arts and Innovation building. Mrs. Carol Grant-Watt is appointed Head of School.
More timeline to come...
St. Hilda's School for Girls
[Timeline re-build in progress]
Strathcona School for Boys
Founded in Calgary in 1929 by parents, the school began at Central Park Library and moved several times before settling at 1232 Riverdale Avenue in 1937. Under Headmaster Alfred M. Howard (1940-1967), it emphasized community, sports, public speaking, and traditional values. Enrollment surged under W.A. “Sandy” Heard in 1967, leading to overcrowding and discussions about merging with Tweedsmuir School for Girls.
Tweedsmuir: An Academic School for Girls
Tweedsmuir School for Girls opened in Calgary in 1959 with a focus on academic excellence and character development. Under the leadership of three headmistresses, the school grew rapidly, establishing a strong academic program and a sense of community. By 1968, increasing enrollment necessitated discussions of merging with Strathcona School for Boys.
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS)
Over the years, STS has grown and evolved under the leadership of several headmasters and headmistresses including Sandy Heard, Peter Ditchburn, Brian Porter, Gordon Freight, Tony Macoun, Dr. Catherine Raaflaub, Dr. William Jones, and current head of school, Carol Grant-Watt. The school has built a strong reputation for academics, athletics, and character development. Its curriculum emphasizes outdoor education, the arts, and community service.
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It all began with an idea...
50 years ago, it all began with an idea. In 1970, a group of forward-thinking, courageous leaders and educators broke ground on a new campus in a remote, rural area just south of Calgary, Alberta.
Little did they know that this tiny school with big ideas would go on to become the gold standard of independent private education in Canada — and around the world. The Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) of today is the result of five decades of vision, hard work, commitment, and love. We celebrate our founding families for bringing that idea to life.
From the Archives
Exploring the founding families, cherished traditions, and milestone moments that built our school’s remarkable story
From the Blog
Explore the stories and news that are shaping our community and future each year.
From the Archives
Exploring the founding families, cherished traditions, and milestone moments that built our school’s remarkable story
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