It’s a long-standing tradition to name a school in someone’s honour, and such is the case in Halton Hills.
One school that immediately comes to mind is McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School in Acton.
Originally two separate schools, an elementary school and a middle school, later merged in 1996, McKenzie-Smith Bennett is named after three individuals who played an active role in education in Acton.
Starting with the latter of this long school name, Minnie Zimmerman Bennett began her career as a teacher of a one-room school in Erin in 1901, eventually making her way to Acton Public School (now Robert Little P.S.) in 1907.
By 1913, Bennett was appointed as the first woman principal in Halton County, a position she held until her retirement in 1939. She later had a new school named after her, M.Z. Bennett Public School, in 1957. Bennett lived a long life and died at the age of 102 in 1982.
Garnet “Pat” McKenzie started teaching in 1931 and came to Acton to succeed Bennett as principal in 1939. He would temporarily leave his post from 1943 to 1945, due to service in the Second World War, but would remain principal until his retirement in 1973. He would pass away in his 71st year, in 1983, following an illness.
Elmer Smith began his teaching career in 1933, arriving in Acton during the early 1940s to serve as vice-principal alongside McKenzie. Smith would later become principal when M.Z. Bennett opened in 1957. Elmer also retired in 1973, but unfortunately, passed away five months later at the age of 62. In 1977, McKenzie-Smith Middle School opened on Acton Boulevard, in the former Acton High School, honouring these two educators.
Another school that comes to mind, named after someone who greatly contributed to their community, is Joseph Gibbons Public School in Georgetown.
Originally starting out as a barber in 1917, Joseph Gibbons entered a life of politics, first as a councillor, in 1931. Throughout his 36 years of civic duty, Gibbons served a total of 18 years as mayor - a time when the town began to see major growth.
Even while working as a politician, Gibbons continued to cut hair and it was a common sight to see patrons waiting ‘half-clipped’ while the town’s business was conducted. Gibbons eventually hung up his scissors in 1949 after resigning as mayor to accept the full-time position as the town’s Assessment Commissioner.
It was in 1963 when Gibbons re-entered politics, once again serving as Georgetown’s mayor for a few more years until retiring from the position in November 1968. After eight days into retirement, it was reported in the Georgetown Herald that Gibbons unexpectedly died at the age of 78.
In September 1970, a school opened on Moore Park Crescent named in honour of the former Georgetown mayor.
So, while schools are a space to provide an education to aspiring students, they also act as a lasting legacy by naming them after individuals who made an impact on the local communities in which they served.
Article written by Scott Brooks, with information from Dills Collection/EHS/Halton Sketches/HHPL.
