Students from Surrey High School (which is now Cloverdale Traditional School) line up along Highway 10 for a photo in 1923, a year after the school's opening. Cloverdale Traditional is marking its 100th anniversary this spring with an official celebration.
Cloverdale Traditional School is approaching its 100th anniversary, and to celebrate, the school is hosting an official 100-year event on Tuesday, May 3 to mark the occasion.
For 100 years, the school has served Surrey and the Cloverdale community, and it continues to be home to more than 300 students as one of three traditional schools of choice in the district.
"A milestone like this quite literally comes along once a century, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate 100 years with Cloverdale Traditional later this Spring," said Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurie Larsen. "After a challenging year throughout the district and B.C., this event is a welcome return to normalcy, and what better way to celebrate than with such a momentous anniversary as this."
"This building has truly stood the test of time," said Cloverdale Traditional School principal Amy Newman. "There is so much history within these walls - we are thrilled to share how this school has grown and changed over the last 100 years with our students, and we look forward to continuing to welcome students into our school and community."
As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations, the school is working with an Indigenous artist to conceptualize a new mural and updated logo to reflect the Indigenous history of the Cloverdale area. The May event will also include the unveiling of a territorial acknowledgment plaque, recognizing the shared, unceded, traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo and Kwantlen First Nations on which the school sits.
"So often, the history of Canada is presented as if it starts when European settlers arrived, and often the history of Indigenous people is neglected or not spoken of," said Lyn Daniels, director of instruction with the district's Aboriginal Learning department. "Our history started a long time before that, and so it's really important to acknowledge the Indigenous people of the territory."
Built in 1921, the two-storey school is the longest continuously used school site in Surrey. It was originally opened as Surrey High School in January 1922 to address the growing need for a dedicated space for high school students. Until then, Surrey high schoolers had to travel to New Westminster, Langley or Blaine, WA, for their education.
Following the death of Canada's 15th Governor General, John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir of Elsfield in 1940, Surrey High School was renamed Lord Tweedsmuir High School, which it remained until 1957, when it became Cloverdale Junior High School. In 1965, the school was repurposed once again as Cloverdale Elementary School until 2003, when it became Cloverdale Traditional School.
"It's an exciting time to be a part of the Cloverdale Traditional School community," said Cloverdale Traditional's PAC president Esther Lam. "Our students, parents and caregivers are honoured to be part of the school's 100-year celebration."
Congratulations, Cloverdale Traditional, on a century in Surrey!
