ESQUIMALT SCHOOL, 1872
Esquimalt School District - Established 22nd October, 1870. Boundaries: - "All the piece of land included within the following limits, viz., commencing at the Western extremity of the South boundary line of the Craigflower School District, then Southerly and Easterly along the shore line of Esquimalt Harbour and Fuca Straits, and Northerly along the water line of Victoria Harbour to the South-eastern extremity of the said Craigflower School District, then along the Southern boundary line of said District to the point of commencement."
The school has been in operation since 1865, with but little interruption. Present teacher, Mr. Joseph Planta, who holds a certificate from the Board of Education; and received his appointment on 16th May last.
The school was visited on 5th June, a few days after the teacher began his work. The exercises commenced punctually at 9 A.M., with 20 pupils in attendance—ten arrived afterwards. Thirty-four on the Register for the month—about one-half girls. Classes all backward. Some of them merely beginners. Linear Drawing and Vocal Music just commenced. Small children troublesome. A few under four years of age. Teacher very industrious and painstaking, as well as patient and persevering. Have no doubt a few months’ work will make a great improvement. There are about fifty children of school age in the district. School-house belongs to Church of England, and was for some time used as a place of worship. The nominal rent paid heretofore was refunded by the Church-wardens of St. Paul’s to the Trustee Board. It is now under lease for two years, with privilege of third, at a monthly rental of four dollars. Sundry repairs and improvements are being attended to; and some necessary school furniture will be procured before re-opening.
Excerpt from the First Annual Report on the Public Schools in the Province of British Columbia (1872), written by Superintendent of Education John Jessop.
