Northward School served students during a period of rapid community growth. The school was renamed Victoria School in 1920, it continued educating generations of students before merging with Ruth Hooker School in 1968.
Northward School was built in 1906 to accommodate the residential growth that Selkirk was experiencing. Located on Superior Avenue, the school was originally intended to match the size of Central School, with plans for eight classrooms and a construction cost of $11,000. However, a 1907 report revealed that the completed building would include only four classrooms instead of the eight that were planned.
In 1909, a vote was held to re-align the grades taught in the Lord Selkirk School Division. The result was overwhelmingly in favor, and the grades were restructured accordingly. Northward School was designated to host Grades 1, 2, 3, and 8. Grade 1 occupied one classroom, while Grades 2, 3, and 8 shared another.
Northward School Renamed
1920, Northward School was renamed Victoria School in honor of the late Queen Victoria. The school was expanded in 1930 to accommodate more students and staff, and a second expansion followed in 1952.
Ruth Hooker School is Built
In 1958, a new school was constructed at 430 Morris Avenue, located behind Victoria School. The new building included four classrooms and a combined staff room/office. After the school’s completion in 1958, it was named in honor of Ruth Caroline Moody Hooker, Chair of the Selkirk School Board.
Ruth Hooker Gets an Expansion
Seven years after its opening, Ruth Hooker School received approval for an expansion in 1965. The Winnipeg-based firm Waisman Ross Blankstein Coop Gilmour Hanna Associates was contracted to design and construct the addition.
Merging Victoria School with Ruth Hooker School
Victoria School and Ruth Hooker School operated independently until 1968, when the two were merged. The combined school was named Victoria–Ruth Hooker School and operated under that name from 1968 to 1971. In 1972, the name was shortened to Ruth Hooker School. The original Northward/Victoria School building was demolished in 1972 after the full merger into the Ruth Hooker School facility.
List of Principals for Northward / Victoria School
| 1907-???? | Edward Arthur Bethgate |
| ????-1913 | |
| 1913-1914 | Peter Robert Loutit |
| 1915-1920 | |
| 1920-1922 | Elizabeth Blanche Teeter Moody |
| 1922-1932 | |
| 1932-1947 | Amy Adelaide Ditch Browning |
| 1947-1948 | H.J. McDonald |
| 1948-1956 | Allan Alexander Anderson |
| 1956-1968 | Gladys Kathleen McQueen |
List of Principals for Ruth Hooker School
| 1958-1962 | Margaret Ellen Eames |
| 1962-???? | |
| ????-???? | Tony Maksymyk |
| ????-1968 | |
| 1968-???? | Steven Lawrence Banera |
| ????-1980 | |
| 1980-1985 | Oakley Southern |
| 1985-1989 | Barry Kuly |
| 1989-1992 | Bob Jesson |
| 1992-1999 | Sharon Chanas |
| 1999-2004 | Gayle Halliwell |
| 2004-2007 | |
| 2007 | Kerry Skarban |
| 2007-2009 | |
| 2009-2014 | Tamara DeiCont |
| 2014-???? | L. McGillivary |
Ruth Hooker / Northward / Victoria School Collection
Fire Insurance Plan with Location of North Ward School, 1916, Library and Archives Canada
Sources
“About Our School” Ruth Hooker School, Lord Selkirk School Division
Historic Sites of Manitoba: North Ward School / Victoria School / Ruth Hooker School (430 Morris Avenue, Selkirk), Manitoba Historical Society
Manitoba Business: Waisman Ross and Associates / Blankstein Coop Gillmor and Hanna / Number TEN Architectural Group, Manitoba Historical Society
Selkirk Enterprise, 1958, 1959, 1966, 1971, 1972
