- The Hon. W. C. Kennedy Collegiate Institute symbolizes the spirit of the Border Cities. The collegiate is shown here as it is seen from McDougall street and Tecumseh Boulevard, in its setting of deep lawns. The the background is a glimpse of Jackson Park and the old Jockey Club grandstand at the far edge of the park.
Kennedy has a setting unlike any other in this city. The large front lawn is one of the most impressive features.
This was the KCI we attended in the early ’60’s, before the additions and alterations of later years. We didn’t dare use that beautiful entrance or walk across those lawns because old “Tex” (our principal) would break our backs. It was “his” school. The library windows on the second floor were like what we imagined Oxford or Harvard to be like. The turrets on the four corners of the gym and pool made it feel like a castle. We treated Jackson Park and Windsor Stadium as part of our campus. What a place to spend your teenage years! Thanks Andrew.
“The spirit of the Border Cities” in 1931 would have meant we overbuilt in the 1920s. Just think if namesake W C Kennedy had become Prime Minister in the 30s instead of the mystical W L M King.
Class of ’91 here. Enjoyed my years at KCI.
Attended St. Mary’s Academy, but took swimming lessons at KCI in the 40s.
Attended Kennedy 1959 to 1963. “Tex” was Mr Thompson a brusque, powerful man and a great principal. Among the superb teachers I recall Mr Lougheed and Mr Davidson who both tried to help me, Mr Monger who taught German, Miss Hope (Latin) and Mr Glenn Allan, French and ran the Cadet Signal Corps which was great fun and in which we won the Moyer Cup as best unit in Ontario. Mr Gross (history, I think, who reeked of cigarette smoke, went off to Oxford (again, I think). Miss White taught English and gave me a life-long loathing for the works of Thomas Hardy and disliked my take on ‘Julius Caesar’, my favourite play. Odd memories of friends, dances, loneliness, happiness and a lot of the reverse, but a school faculty to respect.
Another Clipper Alumni ’91. Great school.
Attended here from 89-94. That’s funny Douglas- I had Mr. Davidson as well for gr. 10 History. My dad attended there in 67 and I remember looking at his yearbook and seeing Mr. Davidson, Mr Wolf Mr. Emery, and Mr. Spinks…all still there when I attended.
I heard with a fair bit of truth of underground bunkers that were accessible from the northern most entrance on McDougall side. Can anyone confirm this?
Sadly, I hear that this school is no longer the upper end of academics anymore. When I was there is was regardled as a very good school academic and student wise. Seems as though the quality of students has fallen dramatically.