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Forty Years of Memory by Terrance Smith

Pugwash District High School opened its doors to students for the first time in the fall of 1958. Its first principal  was William B. Hamilton, now Dr. W.B. Hamilton. Conrad MacNeil was the first Vice Principal and Donald Crummey was the first Industrial Arts teacher and also the first teacher hired for a position at the school. All three of these gentlemen still reside in the Maritimes and are still very active in their communities.

Three other original teachers still reside in the Pugwash area. They are Mrs. Beryl Allen, Mrs. Greta Leahey, and Mrs. Nellie MacLeod. They still play an active part in community events. The first secretary at the school was Mary (MacKay) Patterson. She lives in Pugwash and has recently retired.

The late Mark A. Gillis was chairman of the first Pugwash District High School Board. He devoted nine years to that position. Harlow Hollis Jr. was the president of the first Students' Council which was instrumental in establishing the precedents of student government. Dr. Hollis now operates a private practice in plastic surgery in Victoria, B.C.

Pugwash District High School was officially opened on May 1, 1959 by The Honorable Robert L. Stanfield, Premier of Nova Scotia.

A student vote was held and the distinctive red and black were chosen for school colors. The late Mac Drysdale of Wallace, a former student of the school, is credited with choosing the lamp of learning for the crest and the school's Latin motto Veritas nos Liberabit (The truth shall set you free).  These were only a few of the early pioneers.

There have been so many highlights over the years that they cannot all be recounted here.  We shall never forget that first Boys' Headmasters Provincial Basketball Championship in the spring of 1961. It precipitated a big celebration in the village and filled us with a sense of pride.  A cavalcade of cars welcomed the victorious team back from the round robin tournament in Kentville. The feat was repeated in 1967and during the 1980's the girls' basketball teams distinguished themselves by winning two Provincial Championships.  Pugwash District High School has also won numerous awards for badminton and most recently individuals have won acclaim in track and field events. I would be remiss if I did not mention Ralph Fullerton and countless other volunteers who have given so freely of their time to coach and assist our youth over the years.

The school has also been the scene of some very important international events.  From August 23-30, 1959, it was the site of the internationally renowned Thinkers' Conference. That particular session was on biological and chemical warfare and brought together some of the most brilliant scientific minds in the entire world. The conference was hosted by the late Cyrus Eaton, a famous native of Pugwash. More meetings were held at the school in 1967 and its facilities have also been used at more recent conferences.

The school's student population has fluctuated from a minimum slightly over three hundred students to a maximum in excess of five hundred. Pugwash District High School has always emphasized a strong work ethic and many of its students have achieved academic excellence both within and beyond its walls.     

A large number of fine drama productions, variety concerts, and students exhibits have occurred here over the years. The school has served as the hub of many community events including training courses, entertainment, public meetings, etc.

The night of September 14-15, 1991 will always be remembered in the annals of P.D.H.S.  That was the night when an entire section of the original school structure was devastated by a terrible fire.
Undaunted, a tireless staff continued with the education of students in the small section of the school that remained. Within a short time, a new modern section replaced the fire-blackened remnants.

In 1997, at a special ceremony, Dr.Joseph Rotblat was honoured when the part of the new section known as "The Hall" was named "Dr.Joseph Rotblat Hall".  Dr. Rotblat is a nuclear physicist who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts devoted to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. He played an integral part in the "Thinkers' Conferences" which takes place as part of what is known throughout the world as "The Pugwash Movement."

Pugwash District High School is adapting to changing technology as we progress through what seems to be an era of awe inspiring inventive genius.  I sincerely hope that indomitable spirit of the people of the Pugwash school district will propel the school to even greater achievements during the new millennium.  I hope the halls of P.D.H.S. will continue to echo with the sounds of eager students for a long time to come