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History of
Vanier Collegiate
"People do not really age by living a number of years. I am convinced that we grow old by diserting our ideals. We are , infact, as old as our doubts and dispairs, but we are as young as our faith and our hope, especially faith and hope in our youth, which is, afterall, the same as saying our faith and our hope in our country's future.
- George P. Vanier
Major George Vanier
June 1918
Enlisting as an officer in 1914, Georges Phil�as Vanier joined the ranks of the 22nd Battalion in 1915. Gradually rising through the ranks, he earned decorations for bravery along the way and even briefly commanded the battalion. After the war, Vanier had a brilliant military and diplomatic career culminating no doubt in his appointment in 1959 as Governor General. The second Canadian and first French Canadian to hold this office, he remained Governor General until his death in 1967.
Vanier was with the Canadian Corps when, following the failure of the German offensive in the spring of 1918, the Allies took the initiative again and against all expectations won a brilliant victory starting with the first attack east of Amiens on August 8. The succeeding campaign inspired a number of heroic acts leading to the German defeat, but also resulting in crushing losses to all the armies there. Vanier's battalion, for example, was decimated during the capture of Ch�risy at the end of August and during the ensuing counterattacks. Vanier himself, replacing Lieutenant Colonel Dubuc who had been wounded on the first day, was put out of action the following day, and his left leg was later amputated.
-The above information was found at The National Archives of Canada
Major George Vanier
May 1967
Vanier Collegiate is the only high school in Moose Jaw Catholic School Division #22.
Vanier's roots are traced to Sion Academy and Saint Louis College which amalgimated in 1966 to form one high school. To coincide with this event the late govenor General, George Phillipe Vanier, graciously allowed the use of his name for the new institution - thus "Vanier Collegiate" was born.
Such a heritage is the basis for Vanier's unique personality. To any individual entering the school, an aura of peace and tranquility surrounds him or her. That aura symbolizes the spirit of Vanier that lives in the staff, students, and anyone exposed to it.
A former student once stated: "At Vanier I learned many important lessons; moral as well as educational. Among the things that touched my heart the deepest was the kindness, closeness, the friendship, and generally the sense of well-being expressed between students and faculty. It's better known as Vanier's Spirit!"
The spirit of Vanier permiates the school community through the full range of academic courses and extra-curicular activities which are offered. Christian Ethics classes add to the unique dimensions of Vanier's academic excellence. Extra curricular organizations such as the VCFRC (Vanier Charitable Fund Raising Committe) demonstrate Vanier's commitment to sharing it's time, talent, and treasure for the benifit of society. Vanier's program of studies endows students with concepts and skills vital to life; most importantly, it focuses on the "Truth" which sets all persons free.
Thus, Vanier is a unique educational institution.
As Jerome Chomos, a former Vice Principal at Vanier stated:
"The 'Spirit of Vanier' is with you wherever you go." P.S.
