Class reunites after 60 years
Reunion for 1957 graduates of the Peterborough Teachers’ College draws 54 people
The first time Arlene Petrany stood in front of a classroom, she knew she was meant to teach.
“I knew that it was right – that’s what I wanted,” said Petrany.
That was 60 years ago. Petrany retired from Prince of Wales Public School in 1995, after spending 14 years teaching there.
Before that, the mother of two taught for a few years at a brand new school in Scarborough, Danforth Gardens Public School.
That’s where she got her start in teaching after graduating from the Peterborough Teachers’ College in 1957 at 18.
The college was on Bensen Avenue in the city’s north end. The three-storey brick building was later converted into an apartment building.
Petrany, 78, joined her former classmates from 1956-57 for a 60th reunion Wednesday at Baxter Creek Golf Club in Fraserville.
Two hundred and thirty two students graduated that year, but 60 have died since.
Fifty-four graduates from the class attended the reunion this year. It’s the sixth time the group has gotten together over the last 20 years.
Petrany hasn’t missed a single reunion – saying how wonderful it is to see old friends.
“I wouldn’t have missed it, no way.”
Some former classmates she only sees at the reunions, while others she sees a bit more often, like at church.
John Chesney, 79, lost his two closest friends from class since the last reunion three years ago.
Though he’s not too close with many of the others, he didn’t want to miss a reunion, especially since it’s to be the last one.
Chesney retired in 1992 after 35 years of teaching.
He started his career at Queen Elizabeth Public School, before heading to North York to teach for a couple of years.
Chesney later returned to his hometown to teach at Keith Wightman Public School.
Not too long after, Chesney took on the role of vice-principal at Grove Public School, where Roger Neilson Public School is today.
He was also the vice-principal of Central Public School, which used to be on Murray Street.
Chesney moved back to teaching when he went to South Monaghan Public School in Bailieboro. He later retired from teaching at Queen Mary Public School.
Looking back, Chesney said he went into teaching because he liked the idea of contributing to youth.
“I’d lost my dad at a very young age and several of my teachers were my mentors,” he said.
But he got a bit of slack when he decided to go to teachers’ college. His friends were going into trades at the time, and he said he was seen as a “wuss” for wanting to teach.
That didn’t last long though and in the end, Chesney is the one who’s laughing.
He retired at the age of 44, after a full career and with a pension that’s top notch.
“I kind of like my teachers’ pension, it’s one of the best in the world right now.”
Having taught at so many local schools, Chesney said he often runs into former students. And they all typically say the same thing.
“They usually say I haven’t changed – I love it,” he said, smiling.