Pictou Academy: Difference between revisions

Pictou Academy
Address
88 Patterson Street Pictou , Nova Scotia , B0K 1H0
Information
School type	Secondary School
Motto	Concordia Salus (well being through harmony)
Founded	1816
School board	Chignecto - Central Regional School Board
Superintendent	Dr. Noel Hurley
Area trustee	Vivian Farrell
Administrator	James Ryan
Principal	James Ryan
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	196 (September 2006)
Language	English
Colour(s)	Red and White
Mascot	Pittbull
Team name	Pictou Academy Pittbulls
Website	Pictou Academy
Last updated: October 25 2006

Pictou Academy (PA), founded in 1816 by Dr. Thomas McCulloch, is a secondary school in Pictou, Nova Scotia. Prior to the twentieth century, it was a private school for boys, but is now a public school, teaching grades 9-12. Pictou Academy's current principal is James Ryan. The Pictou Academy Educational Foundation, established in 1916, provides funds to the school. The current student council executives are Marc-Andre MacLeod, president, and Amy McKenzie, vice-president.

When Pictou Academy was founded, it was located in a building in downtown Pictou, Nova Scotia. This school was moved to a new building "Up On The Hill". This second building later burned down, and was replaced by a third. This third building also burned, and to replace it, the fourth and current building for Pictou Academy was built in 1938.

A long standing characteristic of Pictou Academy is it's continued tradition of superior academia; particularly in comparison to its rival schools, Northumberland Regional High School and North Nova Education Centre. With emphasis on the sciences and language, graduates of Pictou Academy regularly enjoy successes normally reserved for students of highly funded private institutions.

Traditions

• The Breakup: One of Pictou Academy's oldests traditions is The Breakup. Unlike other secondary/high schools PA doesn't have a prom but celebrate The Breakup instead. It's a time when all the graduates come together for their final dance as a class. Although other grade levels (ten and eleven) are allowed to attend the night is designed for the grade twelves.

• The Grand March: Closly tied to The Breakup is The Grand March. All of those couples who will be attending The Breakup arrive in the late afternoon, early evening and line up outside The DeCoste Centre in Pictou. They all move down the walkway arm in arm into the theatre. It's a large event, drawing quite a crowd every year.

Notable Graduates

• Sir William Dawson: was a notable geologist and educator
• Sir W. J. Ritchie: later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
• Dr. Frank Parker Day: is a well-known Canadian author and English Professor. He became the Academy's first Rhodes Scholar
• Matthew Brown: considered by his peers to be among the greatest Canadians to have ever lived. Engaged to Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova as of December 6, 2006
• Stephen Douglas: People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for the year 2004
• Jared Murdock: became legendary for his exploits on the St Thomas University rugby team rejuvenating the much maligned squad and leading them to a perfect 20-0 record over two seasons of intense "boat races."

2002 Senior Men's Hockey Team

Despite the departure of legends such as Brother Egg Roll, the 2002 edition of the Pitbulls hockey team still managed to create a stellar and ultimately unforgettable campaign. Led by the coaching skills of Ron Cotter, ESQ. and the heroics of the "Legion of Doom" as well as an unflappable goalie duo, the team marched through the Pictou County High School Hockey League undefeated on their way to the 'A' Division provincial title. The season was particularly highlighted by the incredible tenacity of the third line, especially the aforementioned Matthew Brown, whose awe-inspiring hits and European-esque dangles helped fuel the team toward its success.

Motto

Pictou Academy's motto, Concordia Salus, is listed above as meaning "Well being through harmony". That is a more modern translation of the original latin. It motto, although it's not certain, probably came about from The Act of 1845. It's original meaning was "Salvation through Harmony" and so may be considered by some the proper motto.

References

• "Concordia University". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2006.