Gordon Bell High School: 100 years of memories and milestones

For 100 years, Gordon Bell High School has been a place where generations of students have learned, grown, and built connections that last long after graduation. Established in 1926 in a building at the site of what is now Mulvey School, it later moved to its current location in the West Broadway-Wolseley neighbourhood and celebrated its first graduating class in 1932.  
 
A century later, alumni, staff, students, and community members recently came together to celebrate the school’s legacy and look ahead to its next chapter.

A Century of Stories

Led by Gordon Bell learning support teacher Kelsey Shiaro and the centennial planning committee (which brought together alumni, staff, and current students) the anniversary celebration was a 3-day event honouring the people and moments that have shaped Gordon Bell over the decades.  
 
For alumnus Tom Polly, who graduated in 1970, the celebration was an opportunity to reconnect. “Meet fellow alumni, and classmates I haven't seen in many years,” Polly shared, reflecting on what made the gathering meaningful.

Thursday’s opening ceremony welcomed alumni and guests for a get-together, scavenger hunt through the school’s hallways, and displays of memorabilia that brought memories back to life. 

On Friday, decade displays, a time capsule, and student presentations took attendees on a journey through the school’s history. Wearing school gear from different eras, current student leaders guided the audience through a historical review of each decade, highlighting the changes, defining moments, and memorable stories that helped shape Gordon Bell into the school it is today.

Saturday featured school tours, alumni and student competitions, a cafeteria BBQ, musical performances by the GB 100 Choir, a showcase of Gordon Bell athletics, a tribute to teachers and an evening social.

A Piece of History From the 60’s

One of the centennial highlights was the opening of a time capsule created in 1960. Inside, documents and archival materials offered a glimpse into the school and the lives of its community members more than six decades ago. 

The opening also inspired the creation of a new time capsule, giving today’s school community an opportunity to share its own experiences and hopes with future generations. Among its first contributions was a banner featuring responses from students and staff about their ongoing commitment to reconciliation and what they hope to see in the years ahead. Photographs featuring the school mascot, news articles, and event handouts were also among the items collected.

The celebration also honoured the lasting influence of teacher Mike Gaston with the renaming of the school gym in his memory. Gaston taught social studies and physical education at Gordon Bell from the 1960s through the 1990s. Alumni Mark Strople and Ron Wersch, both members of the class of 1974, shared their connections to Gaston and the impact he had on students.

“He had an innate ability to read the room and just about every student that extended well beyond the walls of Gordon Bell High School. He knew that school was only part of life. We knew we had someone who cared. Mentor, protector, motivator, and friend...that was Mr. Gaston,” Strople said before a plaque unveiling that commemorated the occasion. 

Looking Ahead to the Next century

Paul Moist, a 1974 graduate, praised the work of current students in bringing the celebration together. “I’m impressed with the amount of work that the current student body has done, helping us put this together. And I'm inspired about the next 100 years, and that's really what the school is here for.”

Reflecting on the generations who have passed through its doors, Moist estimated that 75,000 people had attended Gordon Bell over the past century. He expressed confidence in today’s students and the role they will play in shaping the future.

For graduates and alumni returning to Gordon Bell, the anniversary was a chance to revisit familiar hallways, reconnect with classmates, and recognize the community that helped shape their lives. For current students, it was an opportunity to learn about the generations who came before them and consider the legacy they will carry forward.

The celebration was made possible through the collective efforts of alumni, students, staff, senior administration, and the wider community, whose contributions helped bring a century of memories together.

As vice-principal Nicole Frykas reflected during a speech, the milestone offered the community a meaningful moment to recognize the school’s enduring purpose. “An opportunity for all of us to pause, look back, and celebrate 100 years of GB being the place for young people to grow, learn, belong, and continue the path to self-discovery leading them to the good life.”