Sir John A. Macdonald High School in Upper Tantallon is looking for a new name.
Starting Thursday, the school is collecting suggestions for a new name until Nov. 26.
In a letter, principal Darlene Fitzgerald said the school was named after the first prime minister over 50 years ago.
“In recent years, we have all become more aware of his legacy as the architect of Canada’s Indian Residential School System and the passage of the Indian Act of 1867. These historic events have caused irreparable harm and trauma to generations of Indigenous Peoples in Canada – still to this day,” she wrote in the letter.
In an interview, Fitzgerald said she’s wanted to change the name when she first walked through the doors as principal four years ago.
But the idea really gathered steam this year, she said, as she got to know the students and school better and there was more momentum toward authentic inclusion.
“Every student that walks through that door should feel like they belong, like this is my school, this is the spirit of going to school.”
Several students, families and community members have told her the name prevents them from participating in events at the school and they feel excluded.
At first, the idea of a name change felt like a loss to the school community, she said, but as they learned about the history of the person behind the name and his connection to residential schools, the support flowed in.
“It’s pretty much everybody is on board, however, there’s a sadness too because the school has amazing school spirit. If you’re losing your school name, there’s a lot of history there too.”
As students learn about Macdonald, they realize what the name means to the school’s over 30 Indigenous students, Fitzgerald said.
Names suggested by students, parents, staff and community members inside the catchment area will have to comply with a number of criteria. After Nov. 26, a subcommittee will look at the submissions and come up with a long list. The students will vote for their top three and those will be forwarded to the Halifax Regional Centre for Education in mid-December. HRCE will make the final decision.
“I hope we find a name that each and every student can be proud of and feel like this is my school, this is the name and they get behind it and feel good about it.”
