Royal St. George's College (RSGC) is an

Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...

-affiliated

independent school A private school or independent school is a school not administered or funded by the government, unlike a State school, public school. Private schools are schools that are not dependent upon national or local government to finance their fina ...

for boys located in

The Annex The Annex is a neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The traditional boundaries of the neighbourhood extend north to Dupont Street, south to Bloor Street, west to Bathurst Street (Toronto), Bathurst Street and east to Avenue Road, ...

neighbourhood of

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, Canada. The school admits boys from Grades 3 through 12. Founded in 1961 as an Anglican choir school in the tradition of the great collegiate and cathedral choir schools in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, the school admitted its first students in 1964. It is the only pre-university school in Canada authorized to use the "Royal" designation (after the "Royal Grammar School of Montreal", founded in 1801 and united since 1846 to the

High School of Montreal The High School of Montreal was an English-language high school founded in 1843, serving Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in the area eventually known as the Golden Square Mile. It was less formally known as Montreal High School and from 1853 to 1870 was ...

, closed in 1979), and it houses the historic Chapel of St. Alban-the-Martyr, the former cathedral of the

Anglican Diocese of Toronto The Diocese of Toronto is an administrative division of the Anglican Church of Canada covering the central part of southern Ontario. It was founded in 1839 and is the oldest of the seven dioceses comprising the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. ...

, and the See House, the former Queen Anne Revival style residence of the Bishop. RSGC is also the official choir school for the Cathedral Church of St. James. In July 2011, Stephen Beatty (Class of 1986) became the school's seventh headmaster.

History

St. George's College, the beginnings

St. George's began as the vision of a group of Anglican clergy and laity in the 1950s interested in establishing a permanent home for boys' choral music in Canada. Led by Dr.

Healey Willan James Healey Willan (12 October 1880 – 16 February 1968) was an English and Canadian organist and composer, and an influential teacher. He composed more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto, and pieces for ...

CC, who served as first Warden of the college, the founders looked to the model of the diocesan summer choir camp run by the late John L. Bradley (third Warden) and John Cook for inspiration. In 1961, the Ontario Legislature passed a private member's bill, sponsored by the Hon. Alfred H. Cowling MPP, incorporating the school as St. George's College. At the time, the founders were in negotiations with the Church of St. George's on-the-Hill to utilize their facilities for the school. While the location changed, the name stuck and at the invitation of Bishop Frederick H. Wilkinson of Toronto the parish of St. Alban the Martyr and the resident St. Andrew's Japanese Congregation began joint use of the Howland Avenue property with the school.

Founding Headmaster

Dr. John "Jack" Lennox Wright, the founding headmaster, welcomed the first classes of students in 1964. The Primate of the

Anglican Church of Canada The Anglican Church of Canada (ACC or ACoC) is the Ecclesiastical province#Anglican Communion, province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French-language name is ''l'Église anglicane du Canada''. In 2016, the Anglican Church of ...

, Archbishop Howard Clark, formally dedicated the school. Other founders immediately joined the teaching faculty, including the Rev. Kenneth Scott, John "Bear" Allen, and others. Allen succeeded as second headmaster in 1978. He expanded the school's outlook inclusivity and facilities while remaining faithful to the founding vision.

'Royal' designation

In 1988, John R. Latimer assumed leadership of the school, and he led the celebrations marking the Silver Jubilee of the college in 1989. These events culminated in a visit to the school by the

Duchess of Kent Duchess of Kent is the principal Courtesy titles in the United Kingdom, courtesy title used by the wife of the Duke of Kent. There have been four titles referring to Kent since the 18th century. The current duchess is Katharine, Duchess of Kent ...

, who proclaimed the 'Royal' designation on behalf of Queen

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

. Subsequently following this designation, the school’s name was officially changed from St. George’s College to Royal St. George’s College.

Recent years

Following Latimer's departure in 1996, Hal Hannaford became the new headmaster. Hannaford left RSGC in 2008 to become the headmaster at

Selwyn House School Selwyn House School (SHS) is an English-language independent K-12 boys' school located in Westmount, Quebec. The school was founded in 1908 by Englishman Captain Algernon Lucas and was named in honour of Selwyn College at the University of C ...

in Montreal. Hannaford's move to Montreal made way for Steve Griffin to succeed to the headmastership of the college. In February 2010, Griffin abruptly resigned and Paul O'Leary was appointed interim headmaster. Stephen Beatty assumed the headmastership in July 2011. The college's motto, ''Scientia Pietate'', suggested by founder Professor J. B. E. Garstang (son and partner of archaeologist

John Garstang John Garstang (5 May 1876 – 12 September 1956) was a British archaeologist of the Ancient Near East, especially Egypt, Sudan, Anatolia and the southern Levant. He was the younger brother of Professor Walter Garstang, FRS, a marine biol ...

) translates approximately as ''Through Knowledge and Duty.'' Other important phrases in the school include ''Respect, Responsibility, and Voice'', and the famous words of

William of Wykeham William of Wykeham (; 1320 or 1324 – 27 September 1404) was Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. He founded New College, Oxford, and New College School in 1379, and founded Winchester College in 1382. He was also the clerk of ...

, ''Manners Maketh Men'', appropriated by Dr. Wright as a personal credo.

School life

Students are divided between Junior (Grades 3-8) and Senior Schools (Grades 9-12) during their careers and complete the Provincial requirements for Secondary School graduation, as well as being able to enrol in

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

programmes. A typical day for a student involves either Assembly, held in Ketchum Hall, or Chapel, regular academic classes, music- instrumental, or choral, outdoor play and organized games and some other extra-curricular activity. A variety of clubs exist including the Environment Club, the Vinyl Club, the Newspaper of the college, known as ''The Howlander'', the Speaking Union,

the Duke of Edinburgh's Award The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards recognise adolescents and ...

, Jazz Band, the Servers' Guild, various intramural sports leagues, Tech Crew and various yearly dramatic productions. Every Thursday, the entire school meets together in the Chapel for Choral Evensong, sung by the choir and led by the Chaplain, a licensed minister of the

. There are several community Eucharists celebrated as well, according to the liturgical calendar. For spiritual and social resources, in addition to the Chaplain, the College engages a social worker to help address the needs of all community members. Because St. George's is of an Anglican foundation, it requires the participation of students of all backgrounds in its Anglican religious services. Student leadership is expressed most potently in the Student Council, the Junior School Captains, the Stewards, and the lead boys in the graduating class, the Prefects, under the Head Prefect. Students compete with each other on four teams, or houses, named for the four great cathedrals of England which collectively supply the school colours. These Houses are Canterbury (red), Westminster (white), Winchester (gold), and York (blue). Every December, RSGC’s oldest tradition, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place at the Cathedral Church of St. James, featuring the College Choir, with attendance upwards of 1000 members of the school and local community.

Athletics

Athletics at the College have always played a vital part in student life. In addition to intramural teams, varsity, junior varsity, and Junior School teams include Rugby, Hockey, Tennis, Ball Hockey, Soccer, Squash, Baseball, Softball, Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross-Country, Golf, Basketball, Snowboarding, Ultimate Frisbee, Bicycling as well as Racquets. Judo is also a popular extra curricular activity. Athletic facilities include a fitness centre to allow boys to take increased responsibility for their own physical health, one gymnasium, a dojo for martial arts, and an artificial outdoor turf. Students swim at the nearby St. Alban's Boys' and Girls' Club.

Cathedral of St. Alban the Martyr

Overview

Archbishop

Arthur Sweatman Arthur Sweatman (1834–1909) was a Canadian Anglican bishop and the third Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Early life Sweatman was born on 19 November 1834 in London, England, to parents John and Anne. His education began in two Londo ...

of Toronto envisioned the Cathedral of St. Alban-the-Martyr replacing the ''de facto'' use of St. James' Church, whose parishioners were unwilling to compromise with their bishop over the use of their church as diocesan seat. St. Alban's was designated the cathedral of the

in 1883 by an act of the Ontario Legislature, while still in the planning stages. The chancel & crypt of the projected building were completed, according to the plans of Richard Cunningham Windeyer, in 1891, but subsequent construction stalled and was only partially continued by

Ralph Adams Cram Ralph Adams Cram (December 16, 1863 – September 22, 1942) was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic Revival style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partn ...

and Vaux Chadwick in the first decades of the twentieth century. The patronage of Sir

Henry Mill Pellatt Major-General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, (January 6, 1859 – March 8, 1939) was a Canadian financier and soldier. He is notable for his role in bringing hydro-electricity to Toronto for the first time, and also for his large château in Toronto, c ...

Casa Loma Casa Loma (Spanish for "Hill House") is a Gothic Revival castle-style mansion and garden in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is now a historic house museum and landmark. It was constructed from 1911 to 1914 as a residence for financier S ...

and Edward Marion Chadwick was essential to the project. The chancel became the school chapel when the College leased the St. Alban's property, at the suggestion of Bishop Frederick Wilkinson. The completed chancel features the only double hammerbeam roof in Canada as heraldic stained glass. A second phase of building was begun in 1912 with the laying of a foundation stone by

Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (Arthur William Patrick Albert; 1 May 185016 January 1942) was the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He served as Gove ...

and his daughter,

Princess Patricia Lady Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth Ramsay (born Princess Patricia of Connaught; 17 March 1886 – 12 January 1974) was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Upon her marriage to Alexander Ramsay, she relinquished her title of a British princ ...

. The ground they broke would eventually become the foundation for the Senior School, known as Founders' Hall. Cathedral status was dropped in 1936, which ended all hope for the completion of the

nave The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...

and

tower A tower is a tall Nonbuilding structure, structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from guyed mast, masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting ...

Fires

The building has had two fires: * 1929 fire damaged the interior * 2010 fire damaged the roof, destroyed woodwork and flooring

See House

In addition to the chapel, a See House, or bishop's residence was built in 1885 by architects Frank Darling and S. George Curry, which now serves as the college's administrative hub. Also, a school building was erected about 1897 by the Wells-DePencier family of

Davenport Davenport may refer to: Places Australia *Davenport, Northern Territory, a locality *Hundred of Davenport, cadastral unit in South Australia **Davenport, South Australia, suburb of Port Augusta **District Council of Davenport, former local govern ...

to house the short-lived St. Alban's Cathedral School. This building now houses classrooms and the school's assembly hall, named for founder and second Warden P. A. C. Ketchum. St. Alban's School was directed by Marmaduke Matthews, the founder of the

Wychwood Park Wychwood Park is a neighbourhood enclave and private community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located west of Bathurst Street on the north side of Davenport Road, within the larger area of Bracondale Hill. It is considered part of the over ...

estate in Toronto, as well as the

Ontario College of Art & Design Ontario College of Art & Design University, commonly known as OCAD University or OCAD U, is a public university, public art school, art university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its main campus is located within Toronto's Grange Park (neighbourh ...

Notable Alumni

RSGC Alumni Association (RSGCAA)

Graduates of the school, Old Georgians, can continue a lifelong involvement with RSGC through the Alumni Association which meets monthly to plan support events for the school and to foster goodwill among graduates. Some Old Georgians have joined the Board of Governors of the school, while others teach, offer professional mentorships, or make financial contributions. Old Georgians are welcomed back to the school at several annual events, including the Alumni Dinner, the Carol Service, and the Ball-Hockey Tournament. Notable Old Georgians include: *

Damian Abraham Damian Abraham (also known as Father Damian, Pink Eyes and Mr. Damian) is a Canadian musician and presenter who first came to prominence as the vocalist for the band Fucked Up. Career Abraham formed Fucked Up in Toronto in 2001. The band has ...

('99) lead singer, Fucked Up, Host of

The Wedge A wedge is a triangular-shaped simple machine. Wedge, The Wedge, or Wedges may also refer to: Common meanings * Wedge (footwear), a type of shoe * Wedge (golf), a type of golf club Culture Fictional characters * Wedge (''Transformers''), an ...

* Dr. Jonathan Baillie ('90) zoologist *Afrim Pristine ('99) owner o
the Cheese Boutique
* Dr. Rob Beanlands ('77) cardiologist & academic * Sean Black ('93) Olympic boxer & model * Alexy Boggian ('74) Swiss politician and environmentalist * James Carl ('79) sculptor * Terry Collins ('73), award-winning science writer *

Thomas D'Arcy Thomas D'Arcy is a Canadian singer and songwriter born in Guernsey, Channel Islands. D'Arcy's family immigrated to Toronto, Ontario in 1981. He has been a member of indie rock bands The Carnations, All Systems Go!, Small Sins, Another Blue Do ...

('98) alternative musician * Alex Dobson ('93) Opera singer *

Jonah Falco Fucked Up is a Canadian hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 2001. The band consists of guitarists Mike Haliechuk and Josh Zucker, bassist Sandy Miranda, lead vocalist Damian Abraham and drummer Jonah Falco. From 2007 to 2021, th ...

('01) drummer of the band Fucked Up * Andrew Ferns ('93) producer and director * Robert Gleadow ('03) Opera singer * Ed Hanley ('89) fusion musician, tabla player for Autorickshaw * Professor

Campbell Harvey Campbell Russell "Cam" Harvey (born June 23, 1958) is a Canadian economist, known for his work on asset allocation with changing risk and risk premiums and the problem of separating luck from skill in investment management. He is currently the J. ...

('77) academic * Neil Hetherington ('91) CEO of

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David Hewlett David Ian Hewlett (born 18 April 1968) is an English-Canadian actor, writer and director, known for his role as Dr. Rodney McKay in the ''Stargate'' science-fiction franchise. He first gained fame for his roles as Grant Jansky in the Canadian ...

('87) actor * Michael Kovrig (‘89) former Canadian diplomat * Michael Lambert ('04) Olympic snowboarder *

Eli Langer Eli Langer (born 1967 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian visual artist. Langer rose to prominence in 1993, while 26 years old, in the Toronto art world with a solo exhibition at the Mercer Union Gallery in Toronto. The exhibition consisted of 8 p ...

('86) visual artist * John Millen ('79) Olympic Bronze Medallist for sailing *

Vincenzo Natali Vincenzo Natali (born 1969) is an American-born Canadian film director and screenwriter, known for writing and directing science fiction and horror films such as ''Cube'', '' Cypher'', ''Nothing'', and '' Splice''. Early life and education Natal ...

('87) director & screenwriter *

Andrew Nikiforuk Andrew Nikiforuk (born 1955) is a Canadian journalist and author. His writing has appeared in many outlets, including '' Saturday Night'', ''Maclean's'', '' Alberta Views'', '' Alternatives Journal'', and national newspapers. He has won multiple Na ...

('76) journalist * John Northcott ('80) journalist * John Ortved ('99) writer * Bruce Patterson ('86) Deputy

Chief Herald of Canada The Chief Herald of Canada is the director of the Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) and is responsible for the authority's day-to-day operations. The chief herald typically handles petitions for arms and makes the grant of arms if the petition me ...

* Christian Pavey ('94) handyman/television personality * Andrew Podnieks ('80) hockey historian * Phillip Poole ('70) suffragan bishop of the

and President Emeritus of the Compass Rose Society * Tim Pyper ('99) organist & composer * Gabe Radford ('93) classical musician * George Rutherford ('71) former Head of School,

Holy Trinity School (Richmond Hill) Holy Trinity School (HTS) is a private, co-educational, university preparatory institution located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada. There are approximately 825 students currently enrolled from junior ki ...

* Reza Satchu ('87) entrepreneur and professor * Mark Schatzker ('92) author & journalist * Noah '40' Shebib, record producer * the Honourable Peter Thomson ('85) race car driver * Mark Wilkins ('02) race car driver

Honourary Old Boys

The Honourary Old Boy distinction is awarded to members of the RSGC community who have made a significant and positive contribution to the College. * John (Jack) L. Wright - Class of 1978 * Mary McKellar - Class of 1981 * John R. Latimer - Class of 1996 * Evelyn Miller - Class of 2010 * Gage Love - Class of 2011 * Giles Bryant - Class of 2013 * Wanda Ho - Class of 2017 * David Mather - Class of 2018

Notable former faculty

* The Reverend Dorian Baxter, founder of Christ the King Graceland Independent Anglican Church of Canada *

, British-born Canadian actor, writer and director best known for playing Dr. Rodney McKay in ''

Stargate SG-1 ''Stargate SG-1'' (often stylized in all caps, or abbreviated ''SG-1'') is a military science fiction Adventure fiction, adventure television series within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate, ''Stargate'' franchise. The show, created by Brad Wrig ...

'', ''

Stargate Atlantis ''Stargate Atlantis'' (usually stylized in all caps and often abbreviated ''SGA'') is an Adventure film, adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate, ''Stargate'' franchise. The show was created by Brad W ...

and ''

Stargate Universe ''Stargate Universe'' (often abbreviated as ''SGU'') is a military science fiction drama television series and part of MGM's ''Stargate'' franchise. It follows the adventures of a present-day, multinational exploration team traveling on the An ...

' * Dr. John Tuttle, organist * John Latimer, a founder of

Greenwood College School Greenwood College School is an independent co-educational middle school and high school located on the south-east corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Davisville Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. History Established in 2002 by Richard Wernham, Ju ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Saint George's College Anglican schools in Ontario Private schools in Toronto High schools in Toronto Elementary schools in Toronto Educational institutions established in 1964 Organizations based in Canada with royal patronage Boys' schools in Canada 1964 establishments in Ontario