History of Riverside Public School On October 14, 1954, the fury of Hurricane Hazel thrust its way across Ontario, leaving in its wake heartaches for hundreds of people. Property damage reached into the millions. But in a corner of what was then London Township, a more pleasant event was taking place. It was the official opening of a modern four-room school – Riverside Public School – at 550 Pinetree Drive. The sun occasionally peeked through fluffy white clouds, and there was a brisk coolness in the fall air as more than 100 local residents gathered to witness a rather pompous ceremony by local government and education officials. Riverside was born amid controversy because plans called for innovations, which, up to this time, were viewed as frills. Far- sighted trustees wanted a four-room school that included an auditorium. In Toronto, the Department of Education refused to approve the plan. Negotiations continued until a settlement was reached whereby two of the rooms would be divided by folding doors, thus affording an auditorium or two classrooms. A budget of $75,000 was approved for the construction and purchase of land. The site was the pasture field on the south end of a farm owned by Harold Freele at the north half of Lot 23, Concession 1. The school was originally designed to serve 140 students from a rapidly growing area west of London. It served the new
Participating at Riverside’s opening ceremonies were, left to right, seated; Archie Blandford (principal), Thomas L. Patrick (MLA for North Middlesex) and Albert K. North (trustee). Standing: Al E. Steeves (trustee) and Ross C. Fuller (chairman trustee). subdivisions of Oakridge Acres, Clearview and Hickory Heights with students walking from as far west as Hyde Park Sideroad. Source: Riverside Elementary School 50th Anniversary Album
Class of ‘69: Back row: Phyllis Lewis, Terryl Rostad, Sharon Richardson, George Finkbeiner, Judy Williams, Phillip McIntyre, Susan Thiel, Patti Orr, Steve Barker, Brian Watkin, Wayne Morley, Linda Stewart, Susan Anderson, Leslie Knight, Susan Wilson, Paul Leupen, Gordon Moir, Mavis Urquart, Cathy Capes, Nancy Wilson, Sandra Philps. Third row: Dale Glover, Ann Russell, Janice McLean, Lynne Cunningham, Brad McCuaig, Rod Smith, Ashley Geddes, Jim Anderson, Rick Fenney, Peter Kooi, Allen Tonkin, Austin Allen, Debbie Bell, Gail Elsden, Dave McConkey, Nancy Watson Second row: Doug Johnstone, David Smith, Tim Mereu, Janet U’Ren, Doug Glover, Randy Duxbury, Vicki McBryde, Sandra Munds, Wendy Elsden, Jackie Newton, Vicki Williams, John Jennings, Paul Johnston, John Feenstra, Murray Paton, April Agate, Jackie Weir. Front row: (left-right) Jim Arner, John Bailey, Brent Pixton, Paul March, Will Wellington, John Gough, Craig Sutherland, Miss Judy Dobie (home-room teacher), Mr. Howard Barker (home- room teacher), Chris Bloch-Hansen, Alastair Stevenson, David Scott, Murray McKenzie, John Dell, Jack Gulka, Peter MacKichan, Terri Bateman.
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Page 14 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • Jan-Feb 2026
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