FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2017 15 The beginning of school this month marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the new Technical wing at Port Perry High School in 1967. In honour of this occasion the school is holding a reunion for former students and teachers, particularly those who attended Tech classes in the school. This reunion takes place on Saturday September 23 and is be- ing coordinated by Jake Smith, the present Head of Technology at PPHS. The Tech wing of Port Perry High School was part of a major addition to the school in 1967. This building expansion included the tech wing, central school offices, a library (now part of the music de- partment), cafeteria and gym “B” (the smaller gym). The $2,675,000 addition was officially opened on December 13, 1967 with 1,000 in attendance. The project was part of principal Grant MacDonald’s ambitious plan to place the school on the forefront of modern educational facilities. The 1967 addi- tion enhanced the 1961 addition of a new auditorium, gymnasium and north academic wing. Grant McDonald came to PPHS in 1946 as a teacher and became princi- pal in 1956. McDonald appointed Ray Litt as theschool’sfirstviceprincipalin1964. With the new Tech wing in mind, McDonald hired N. Birch as the school’s first Head of the Technical Department in 1965 to help in the establishment and planning. The first tech teachers included: Howard Johnston, electricity; Roy Clarke, ma- chine shop; Stan Lefort, auto shop; Clair Miller, carpentry; Mike McGill in occupations, auto and welding and Gerry McTavish, building trades. This increased the staff at PPHS from 33 to 42. Jack Fisher replaced Tech Director N. Birch in September 1968, Grant McDonald retired in June 1973. The open house/reunion will get underway at 2 p.m. and will include tours of the current techni- cal wing. The general public is also invited to visit the facility. By Paul Arculus, Focus on Scugog Myrtle and Gordon Prentice, left, and Dr. Matthew B. Dymond with his wife Jeanne, look over one of the new pieces of equipment in the woodworking shop in 1967. Port Perry High School Tech Reunion SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2:00 P.M. Antiques, uniques, Décor & More New items arriving daily 605 Reg. Rd. 21, Port Perry (Old Utica Store) • 905-982-2705 • www.coachhousestudio.ca HUGE end of summer SALE with items 25% - 45% OFF, as new fall items arrive. COACH HOUSE STUDIO