Bienfait Rural School No. 897

We know little of the early history of the school which was on N.E. 1/4 of sec. 36-2-7 W2nd. Later this school was moved to S.E. 1/4 sec. 1-3-7 W2nd.

In 1914 a brick school was built in the same yard by Mrs. James Kershaw of Bienfait and the original school building moved 1 1/2 miles south on N.W. 1/4 sec. 30-2-6-W2nd. In the late 1920's or early 30's it was purchased by Mike Bachinski, who moved it to his farm S.E. Sec. 5-3-6. and used it as a dwelling until the 1960's.

Emerson Nash was the first teacher that we knew. He taught there in 1926. He was followed by Mrs. Frank Graham, wife of a local farmer. John McBeth was secretary-treasurer for a number of years.

Board members during tha late 20's and later were John McBeth, Alton Ellis, Bert Gadd, Johnson Graham and Joe Melle.

Teachers over the years till the school was finally closed when the School Unit came into effect were Emerson Nash, Mrs. Graham, Miss Mabel McKenzie of N. Portal (married Mr. Millard Holmgren of Estevan), Miss June McKenzie (now Mrs. Bill Holley), Miss Clara Gesell (now Mrs. Raymond Lee), North Portal. Miss Child of Bienfait taught part of a year and Carmen Rousell finished the term. Miss Marian Winker taught one year and Miss Dorothy Eremko of Estevan was the last teacher. She is Mrs. Mack Park of Rocanville, Sask.

In the 1950's the school was closed due to low enrollment and lack of funds and the children went to Bienfait School. North Bienfait school was sold when the Larger Unit took over. The bricks were removed and the building moved to north Carlyle to become a dwelling.

Some of the students that attended the North Bienfait School were; Duff Ellis, Borden Ellis, Elsie Ellis, Ernest Goodrich, John Elchysen, Steve Elchysen, Annie, Mary, Jessie, and Olga Elchysen, Phyllis, Stella, and Olga Bachinski, Roy, Edith, and Viola Milligan, William Owens, Morrel, Peter, Steve, John, and Alice Ewaski, Leonard, Esme, May and Edgar Gadd, Mary and Helen Onyzuck, Bill, Anton, and Paul Melle and Elizabeth, Monica, Ehrich, Jennie, Mike, Annie, and Steve Kazuik and Irene Graham.



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