In 1958 I took grade 10 in a one room school of all grades, K-10, in Burnt Cove, Notre Dame Bay. It is renamed "Newville" now. The teacher at that time, Lila, now resides in Springdale. We've lost touch with each other since then. I hope to see her again someday. With a classroom of many grades, there couldn't be much one-on-one time, as I understand. I really worked to pass grade 10 and 11. I wanted to teach, but I knew I couldn't achieve it if I slacked on my studies. While the teacher was busy, explaining lessons to the lower classes, I'd take my science, or geography, or whatever subject I preferred and look at questions in the chapters in the back of each book to study at home. I'd white them down to learn over and over. I loved reading and still do. I knew my teacher did all she could and realized that the lower classes needed help as well. The teacher helped me a lot, but she also appreciated my willingness to study. In June I passed my exams at Twillingate, and when the teacher received my results, she walked a long way from Indian Cove up to Burnt Cove to tell me I passed; there were no phones there then. Later in September I knew I wouldn't be able to take grade 11 at Burnt Cove, so I went to Grand Falls and stayed with my sister, and went to Windsor Salvation Army High School by bus. It seemed to me like I moved to a very big city, compared to where my home was. It felt so nice to have lots of help in grade 11. Major Snelgrove and Major Dave were my teachers, also Cecil Cooper. I passed grade 11, then I attended summer school at Prince of Wales Collegiate in St. John's. I was given a few choices as to where I would rather go to teach, Capelin Cove or Manuel's Cove (now renamed Bayview). I chose Manuel's Cove because it was nearer to my home. Later the causeway was put there a short way across. The next year I went to Burnt Cove for my second year. The new Salvation Army school opened that year. I taught different grades too. I never had that cruel punishment in my class, the leather strap. If you're kind to any child, he or she will obey you in more ways than one. I had to teach my brothers and sisters, they also played a few sly tricks on me. I taught a pair of twin boys and after school closed, they said, "Do you know that we used to switch seats" I never did, they looked identical and always had their haircuts alike, and dressed alike. They were two funny lads. If they ever read this, they'll be taken back to being so tricky. They live in Ontario now. Then in 1964 I married the man that I met the first year I taught at Manuel's Cove. I have fond memories of kind people who were helpful and friendly to me, many of them have passed away. One more pupil I'll mention, my cousin who left home and went to Toronto, Joy. She visited me on her holidays and gave me a gift I'll always cherish: a pretty dished shaped like an apple, with "To my favourite teacher" on it. It's lovely. Now I'm in Oram's Manor in Gander. How time flies! What a lovely home for me and my husband. We love it here! Thanks to all the new friends we've made, the staff, and the owners. Vina Greenham   Submitted By: NULL