Prior to 1930, there was no Department of Health on the Island. It was Public Health Nurses, aided by the Women Institutes that promoted new ideas concerning the health and nutrition of students. Older residents of the area recall visits made by Public Health Nurses such as Mona Wilson, to the rural schools. It was recommendations made by such Public Health Nurses that also led to the improvement of the students’ health and sanitation of rural schools.

In 1926, Mona Wilson wrote an eight—page booklet entitled General Recommendations for the Building, Equipment, and Cleaning of Public Schools. This booklet was sent to the branches of the Red Cross, Women’s Institutes, School Inspectors, and School Trustees across the Island. It contained recommendations concerning the site and building of the school, classrooms, windows and window shades, walls, desks, blackboards, drinking water, cloakrooms, washing facilities, heating and ventilation, toilets, and cleaning. (23)

This publication had immediate results. The following year, the Department of Education report stated in their annual report that “water coolers, individual drinking cups, wash basins, towels, equipment for hot lunches, etc. have made their appearance following suggestions made by the nurse of their Visit." (24) This was followed by other advancements in health. In 1928 a mandatory requirement for vaccinations to attend school in Kings County was established. By the late 19405 the dangers of smallpox and diphtheria had been removed from the schools through the vaccinations and inoculations which took place. (25] In 1934 dental clinics were established to provide primary care and make treatment more easily accessible to those living at a distance from a dentist. The Women’s Institutes took an interest in these governmental subsidized clinics and two clinics were held; one in St. Peters North and one in St. Peters South in 1937. (26)

By 1955, health education had become one of the most important subjects on the school curriculum. In the late 19505, written examinations, of which health was included, became the chief means of determining a pupil’s advancement in school, and the use of standardized tests to determine pupil’s standing became more common.

HIGH SCHOOL DAYS:

Establishing a high school in St. Peters provided students in the area with the chance to obtain grades nine and ten within their community. At this time, students wishing to obtain grades eleven and twelve had to go to Charlottetown. Some of the local young women also went to Souris Convent to obtain these grades.

The high school in St. Peters was initially a courthouse and, becoming a school, served the dual purpose of holding court and conducting education. Senator Doris Anderson recalled that there was little to work with, when students initially moved into the courthouse

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