Shaftesbury High School turns fifty

Famous filmmaker Nia Vardalos, current Winnipeg Mayor, Brian Bowman, retired NBA Basketball star, Todd MacCulloch, and AIDS researcher, Dr. Frank Plummer, all got their start under the same roof on Grant Avenue. Shaftesbury, a Pembina Trails high school with a long list of accomplished alumni will soon mark its 50th anniversary.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to celebrate Shaftesbury High School’s 50th birthday as the school’s current principal,” shared Catherine Birch. “Over my eight years at Shaftesbury, I have been fortunate to work with staff members who were former students themselves and who served with former SHS principals. I also have the privilege to work with students whose parents were former students of Shaftesbury and thereby get to hear such colorful, warm, funny and fabulous stories that form the tapestry of Shaftesbury’s history. I cannot wait to meet some of these legends whose names and stories have brought such joyful and proud remembrance within the walls of Shaftesbury still.”

The school was originally called Tuxedo-Shaftesbury High School, and first opened its doors on February 17, 1969 with Wayne Hanna as principal. The then Mayor of Tuxedo attended a ribbon cutting that was complete with a piano performance. The first graduating class had 55 students. Fast forward five decades, and the 2018 class was 121 strong.

To celebrate the milestone, the school is planning a reunion during the weekend of May 3-4, 2019. The plan is to have an open house, alumni sports games and a social. All former and current Shaftesbury graduates, staff, families and community are encouraged to attend.

Questions can be sent to shswpgturns50@gmail.com